Fantasy New Oasis: Four Heavenly Kings — The B-Sides

[thebigfella]

Shishido Takakazu

CS Link

SCENE:

Getting Bigger Means You Get Worse At Hiding Small Things

LOCATION:

North District

TIME:

Pre Arc 1 || 2021

PARTCIPANTS:

Tak, Nao ( tityanya )

Getting Bigger Means You Get Worse At Hiding Small Things

“‘What will you get out of it?’” Tak reiterated Nao’s question out loud, the pleading act he was putting on disappearing as his expression instantly flattened into a frown, looking up at her, annoyed from his kneeling position. “Oi, oi. It’s only five dollars! What happened to being a good samaritan?! Is chivalry really dead?! It’s not even enough to buy a movie ticket to see Mustachio and Blaster Boy!” He complained about her wanting to get something out of him for something that should just be a kind gesture, helping him buy some dirty magazines.

Despite his bellyaching, it wasn’t long until he clicked his teeth, averting his gaze from her as he relented. “I guess I can stop treating you like a wild chimpanzee…and I’ll owe you one.”

What he offered in return wasn’t much, lacking in any gratitude, but the fact that he provided anything at all might have been a miracle.

As soon as Nao pulled the bunched-up bill from her chest, Tak appeared right in front of him, stopping on the dime with enough momentum to cause a gust of wind that blew past her and whistled down the alley; he swiftly snatched the 5 dollars for her hands with no hesitations. Then, he swirled around, turning his back to her as he raised the dollar bill above his head like he had just unearthed a rare item in a video game, a big toothy grin on his face as he looked at the flimsy wrinkled bill, enamored.

“Looks like luck’s still on my side after all! The god of perverts everywhere has given me a blessing!” He bellowed, not even attempting to act with any decency. Then, quickly, his focus returned to the goal ahead of him; the magazine vending machine was only a step away now.

Letting his hands drop down, instead of walking towards it and getting what he had come all this way for, he looked over his shoulder, looking at Nao candidly.

“You’re right about the North. It’s filled with scammers, drug addicts, and a bunch of weirdos,” He admitted bluntly; he had only spent a little time here and had already gotten tired of it. He seemed prepared to end it, turning back toward the vending machine and rubbing the back of his neck.

“…But there are some good people here, I guess,” He half-heartedly admitted, the only acknowledgment of her kindness that Nao would get from Tak, while he waved around the 5-dollar bill in the air.

Finally, he stood before his objective and had the money in hand. Now was the time to finish his job and get back home. His eyes narrowed on the cash slot, its blinking blue lights indicating it was in operation.

Tak reeled his arm backward, shoulder flexing as his fingers clamped around the dollar between them, “TAKEEEE THIIIISSSS!” He roared as his hand flew forward and cut through the air, black lines of motion moving along with him as it flew past his face toward the slot.

Just to stop a moment before slamming into it, calmly inserting the bill inside the opening, the mechanical whirr of the system inside sucking the dollar up.

Just to spit it back out a moment later.

Tak blinked awkwardly as he stared at the bill hanging limply from the cash slot. He took it out, straightened it out, and slid it back in, the same sounds of working machinery coming from the machine.

Only for the 5 dollar bill to come back out again.

Clicking his teeth, Tak placed his foot on the bottom of the vending machine, rubbed the bill against his knee to beat out the creases, then set the dollar inside the device again.

He stared with nervous sweat as he watched the dollar get swallowed again.

A moment later, the confirmation of its acceptance appeared on the digital display above; Tak breathed a sigh of alleviation. He raised a hand to the keyboard, swiftly pressing buttons with a series of beeps, making his selection.

He slid his body to the slide, focusing back on the magazines inside the glass as he watched the barrier keep the Lace and Leather copies in place opened, pushing the stack forward to let one of the copies fall from its position on the shelf, falling downward.

But Tak didn’t hear the satisfying thump of it hitting the bottom of the machine. Instead, he witnessed a horror that caused his mouth to hang wide open, his eyes going bloodshot as his pupils shook within the whites of his eyes, cheeks sinking as his lips pursed inward.

Instead of falling to the bottom, the magazine he had requested had brushed against the glass, the other end getting caught on another tabloid which had folded outwards, keeping it locked in place and out of reach.

“Oi! You can’t be serious, right!? This is just a joke, right!?” He was in disbelief, hands gripping the side of the machine as his sweaty fingers flexed against the metal frame.

“Calm down, Tak! Just gotta reach inside and grab it! It’s in reach!” He reasoned with himself, dropping back down to his knees, twisting himself downward to jam his hand inside the machine’s slot. His arm snaked through the opening, appearing on the other side of the glass. Unable to see himself, his hand moved around, padding across the surroundings to find the prize he was owed. Eventually, he felt it, the loose pages brushing against his fingertips.

“I got it!” He shouted, a cocky grin on his face as his hands clutched around the magazine. Now all he needed to do was pull it out.

Yet, as he tried to move out, the whole vending machine moved with him instead of his arm moving, leaning forward to follow him before landing back on its feet, the rumbling echoing through the empty lot.

“Eh...?”

Convinced that was an oddity, Tak tried again to pull himself out of the vending machine, only to face the same problem.

“Eh? Eh?”

He braced the palm of his free hand against the front of the vending machine, trying to push it away as he pulled out, but all this succeeded in doing was feeling his arm begin to tear off from the wrist, tugging on his skin as he was kept in place.

“EHHHHHHHHHHHH!?”

The realization shook him to his core, color leaving his face as his eyes immediately sunk into his skull, bags forming under his eyes. His neck audibly creaked as he turned toward Nao, half of his mouth curled into a weak simper, the corner of his lip twitching as he looked at her with a shadow over his forehead.


“I’m…...stuck.”

 

[tityanya]

𝑵𝒂𝒐𝒎𝒊 𝑺𝒂𝒕𝒐
𝔸𝕤: 𝕆𝕞𝕚​

I am here: Parking Lot
With: Tristan, Tri
Scene: Coolness as a Rule
Time: Wednesday, November 3rd, 2021 || Post Arc-2

"You know once I start, I cannot help myself"

≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎

The driver's barking laugh startled Naomi, making her jump. What an...unexpected sound. It didn't sound like a true laugh, at the very least. He told her about how he had picked up Tri drunk once, and the man had just purified him and that was it. She nodded, still morose. She logically knew that Tri wasn't one to hold onto things. But that didn't stop the pressing anxiety and fear. Tristan turned to her with what she supposed was supposed to be a reassuring smile, before telling Naomi about Tri's behavior. That's right, he was also a chaotic bastard, just like her. But she noticed the door open and Tri slide in the car before Tristan did, her mouth agape with shock as the man leveled his blank gaze on their driver.

Naomi turned her face away, desperately trying to dry up her tears. It was bad enough that their driver had seen her this way, she didn't need Tri to see her that way, too. Happy thoughts happy thoughts, she chanted in her head over and over, barely even noticing the conversation happening between the two men. Tri was nice. Hmm, yeah, that was true. Way nicer than most people in his position of power. Naomi had thought she had mostly managed to get herself together without Tri noticing, and turned back forward as he mentioned drowning someone in a kiddy pool. Even though she was still upset, she couldn't help but give a smirk. In the end, she didn't have to go into the sewer. Kiddy pool water would be way easier to wash out of her clothes.

"You're crying?" Tri asked. Fuck. She hadn't been as subtle about cleaning herself up as she'd thought. It probably didn't help that there was some mascara tracks running down her eyes that she hadn't noticed yet. The shoddily-built damn burst and a fresh wave of sobs came bursting out of her mouth. "I-I'm sorry, d-don't worry about it," Naomi said, missing the driver's desperate blinking but the idea of snitching on him never crossing her mind. "Y-you left without a word, a-and I thought I messed up," she said in-between sobs, trying to reign them in again. This WAS NOT COOL. Hopefully he would appreciate her emotional honesty, as she didn't give it out very often. "I'll get myself together by kiddy pool time, I promise," she told him. She almost added in how the sudden sobriety was what caused the spiral, as all the anxiety came rushing back, but that sounded too much like it was blaming Tri for her current state. It wasn't his fault--the blame for this rested solely on her shoulders.​

((ooc: ))
((outfit))
((Discipline))

@Damafaud

 

[Roda the Red]

Keith Sullivan

CS Link

SCENE:

Hide & Seek

LOCATION:

East District

TIME:

Daytime, June 30th, 2022

PARTICIPANTS:

Hiachi, Keith

Hide & Seek

East District, one of the nicest, best-maintained areas in the entirety of New Oasis, full of awe-inspiring sights as far as the eye could see, both of natural and man-made nature, an amalgamation of the best to be found within the rich cultures of the eastern side of the world, and a surprisingly safe place to live as well, at least when compared to the other areas of this giant cesspool of a city. However, just like any other nice place in the world, there were vermin lurking around, their mere presence being enough of a justification to call for an exterminator.

And we are not talking about animals here.

The word had spread, reaching the ears of the Azure Dragons. Someone has been going around as of late, asking question, suspicious questions, no less...and about one of their higher-ranked members to boot. Whoever this girl was, she reeked of the enemy, the filthy stench of a malicious threat, plotting and scheming from underneath their noses. Keith's mission was simple: Find the girl and take her to the Azure Dragons for interrogation, if he found himself confronted with extreme resistance, then lethal force was allowed.

Keith squatted atop a large Torii located in the middle of a bustling commercial street, more specifically, the one that said girl was recalled to be frequenting the most for the last few days. his gloved hand reached for his hoodie's front pocket, pulling out a somewhat worn out phone. He checked once again on the photo he was sent of this girl, her appareance did not stand out too much, her tomboyish looks probably being the one saving grace that made her visage more recognizeable, her choice in fashion definitely a few steps below that of the average eastern civilian. The rookie scanned the streets with his vision, as he had been doing for a few hours now, but still, no results. He then took notice of a few people actually staring at him, most likely due to his unusual choice for a vantage point, his cheeks and ears took on a light shade of pink as he realized, quickly leaping down from the structure.

Feeling a little bit defeated, Keith decided to retreat for the time being, it was already a bit later than the regular time she was spotted nearby, as well as heavy clouds setting in on the sky. He took the long way back to his home, following the long staircase up north, a path he enjoyed taking as he liked to appreciate the more natural enviroment of that street. However, it seemed like fate was a fan of working in mysterious ways, as a certain silhouette came into the rookie's view, walking towards him.

It was her.

Keith approached the woman, standing still as he was just about a few meters away from her, his fiery pupils clashing with his cold gaze as he spoke.

"Oi, stop right there"

miki

 

[tityanya]

𝑵𝒂𝒐𝒎𝒊 𝑺𝒂𝒕𝒐
​

𝒜𝓈: 𝒩𝒶𝑜

I am here: Alleyway
With: Tak
Scene: Getting Bigger Means You Get Worse At Hiding Small Things
Time: Pre Arc 1 || 2021​

"When everybody loves you, you can never be lonely"

╔════════════════════╗

Oh how quickly tunes would change. After Naomi asked what she would get out of giving the man $5, frowning at her while he was still kneeling. It was rather funny watching him act all obstinate while he was below her. "You're one to talk about chivalry," she scoffed, not yet forgetting about how he acted when she was pretending to be in trouble. And what in the hell was mustachio and blaster boy? She was afraid to ask though, worried it would start a long tangent that she would never escape from.

The obstinate nature didn't last long, however, and he clicked his teeth and looked away from her as he said he would treat her like a human being. Excellent! A good trade, she thought. She pulled the $5 bill from her bra, and was met with a gust of wind as she looked up, tousling her hair and almost making the bill fly from her fingertips. The man stood in front of her, snatching the bill from her hands. Holy shit. If she had any doubt about him being an HP before, that was gone. He raised the bill up above his head like he had just pulled it out of a secret chest in a video game, a rare drop. She couldn't help but snicker a bit at the thought of that crumpled bill being a key quest item. Her palm quickly met face as he said that the God of Perverts had given him a blessing, but her action was more the act of disapproval than real disapproval. Her hand hid the goofy smile she had.

He approached the vending machine, but to Naomi's surprise, he didn't immediately jam his money into it. Instead, he looked over his shoulder back at her, saying she was right about the North. Her lips puckered like she had eaten a sour lemon at the words drug addict. She knew who that was about! And even if it was true, he didn't need to say it out loud. She was about to protest when he turned away, saying that there was some good people there, too. The sour look melted from her face. Awww, that was definitely about her. His half-hearted nature about saying it didn't make it any less meaningful to Naomi--the North was full of people who would barely acknowledge the help they had gotten. She knew how to take appreciation when she got it.

"Well, you know what they say. Road to hell is paved with good intentions and all, so there's bound to be at least one good person there. You can call me Nao, I guess," Naomi said, absent-mindedly tucking a piece of hair behind her ear before clasping her hands behind her back. It was dangerous to give her name, even if it was a nickname, to an outsider. She didn't even know if he would reciprocate with his name, but that didn't really matter. She could think of a couple nick-names for him off the top of her head.

He turned his attention to the vending machine, shouting "take this!" as he jammed the bill towards the reader, only top stop a centimeter short and put it in like a normal person. Naomi laughed again, the back of her hand covering her mouth. The gentle laugh became a below as the bill spat back out towards him. Had he gone through this quest only for her bill to not work? "Maybe the pervert Gods wanted to rise you up a little before smiting you down," she joked, watching as he tried again and again to straighten the bill out, only for it to not work. Pure comedy. But alas, her amusement was cut short as the machine finally accepted the bill, and the machine began vending the magazine. Only, there was the machine WITH A STEEL CHAIR!! Naomi blinked for just a second as she processed that the magazine had gotten caught on something, only to bend over at the waist laughing as Tak yelled at the machine. "T-t-the smiting!" she managed to get out, despite the guffaws.

She had managed to mostly pull herself together by the time Tak stuck his arm in the machine. "You're gonna get stuck~" she teased, watching his arm beat around inside of the vending machine. But he announced his victory, a cocky smile on his face. Hmm, maybe the Gods had chosen to smile--oh no, they hadn't. The entire vending machine shook as he tried to get out, and Naomi braced a hand against it to stop it from falling on them both. Tak tried again, and Naomi put both hands on the vending machine, really not wanting to watch someone get crushed by it. Naomi watched his wrist through the glass as it got squeezed painfully. Oh, no. He was 100% stuck. He realized the same thing with a lament, the color fading from his face. He looked up at her, legitimately distressed this time.

The benevolence Naomi was feeling earlier had faded, coincidentally around the same time he had said the word "chivalry." Naomi crouched in front of him, taking his face between both hands and placing her head gently against his forehead, a much kinder re-enactment of his actions earlier. "Are you telling me that you're in distress and need help? I don't know if I can handle it, my heart, you see? Not only do I eat a lot of take-out, I'm also on drugs. So my heart might just completely stop from the stress of helping you," Naomi said with a baby-voice, before laughing. She was going to help him, of course. She wasn't a complete bitch. But the speed and comfort of her assistance strongly depended on his reaction.

╚════════════════════╝​

((ooc: When I said front pocket I meant front pockets of her jeans, but boobs is funnier so I'm rolling with that))
((outfit))
((Mr. Jones))

thebigfella

 

[Uasal]

Jennifer Weber

CS Link

SCENE:

The House Always Wins

LOCATION:

West District - The White Tiger Casino

PARTICIPANTS:

Camila, Jennifer, Alice, Ryutaro, Hiachi

The House Always Wins

When the next hand was dealt out, Jennifer didn't bother to look at her cards, instead leaving them face down in defence mode. Instead, the woman focused on Hiachi, continuing to stare her down in a most unsettling way. That was until her focus was broken by the Queen, who had issued a challenge of his own. Looking to the Dealer with a soft smile, Jennifer could help but chuckle to herself, caught off guard by Ryu's child-like probe. Jennifer had always seen him during business meetings so seeing him like this, issuing playful challenges, it was quite refreshing. "Double it".

Returning her gaze to Hiachi once again, Jennifer's grin quickly grew. "So? Rumour has it you make quite the killing at these tables. I came to play with the big fish, you wouldn't run would you?". Activating her HP Jennifer watched for even the most minute of movements. If the girl really was cheating with some sort of sleight of hand technique or signalling, Jennifer would easily spot it. "Come on now, think of how much you stand to win here. Are you gonna tuck tail and run to Mommy?"

Roda the Red miki @joshuadim AriAriAbabwa

 

[The One Eyed Bandit]

Passeri Park

CS Link

SCENE:

In The Tigers' Web

TIME:

Post-Arc 3, Timeskip 1 | June 3rd

LOCATION:

Nameless Storefront, West District

PARTICIPANTS:

Passeri, Jennifer, Ezra, Elias, Dagger

In The Tigers' Web

"I am sorry about that. It's hardly an excuse, but it has been quite the three days." A knot of tension undid itself within Passeri's chest. She, frankly, was impressed. She was so used to the fine men and women of New Oasis's underworld acting on instinct rather than logic, that Jennifer's restraint was quite the breath of fresh air.

"And I suppose that's the elephant in the room, isn't it?" Here came the hard part. It was going to be his word against theirs. "To start with, trying to murder the three of us-" Passeri indicated to Elias and Ezra. "-and doing no small part in helping some of the city's other elite do the same. It's early days, but there are a few Tigers that you're not going to be seeing much of anymore, to put it lightly. Our lovely Jack first and foremost."

She'd wrestled with the piece of information for a while. Given her new position, she wasn't keen on the news of Isobel's disappearance spreading too quickly, but she hoped that the weight of losing one of the gang's leaders would impress just how deep into shit the purple-eyed woman's father had gotten himself into.

"...And to finish, well, have you been watching the news? This city doesn't have any fault lines. An earthquake happening right beneath our feet just shouldn't be possible, and yet... It did." An intensity was working its way into Passeri's voice now. This was all speculative. For all she knew, the occultic activities they'd encountered that terrible afternoon might have had nothing to do with the earthquake.

But she didn't believe in such grand coincidences.

"If it wasn't transparent, I have reason to believe he was involved. Deeply involved. The Sleeper. The Stewards. Do either of those ring a bell for you?" This was the hot question. The Grants had gotten their progeny involved. Had Jacob done the same? "I'm going to be blunt about this. Your father is a member of a cult, and a powerful one at that." Frankly, it might have been better if he had filled Jennifer in on this already. She knew how insane this sounded.

"He wasn't the only one of the city's elite present. The Grants were there too... But this is getting away from the point." She let out a long, frustrated sigh. "...Look. I know how this sounds, but I wasn't the only one there." Again, she nodded towards the men present. "I wouldn't blame you for doubting me here. Those two can fill you in, too. And if you're brave, then Elias can really show you what happened that day."

@simj26 Uasal Lucem QuirkyAngel @Saturn_moon

 

[Peckinou]

Helva Linxal

CS Link

SCENE:

To live in the shadows

LOCATION:

Falcons Perch, South District

PARTICIPANTS:

Helva, Charlie Roda the Red

To live in the shadows

The Falcons Perch, a restaurant that Helva didn't exactly go to often, sure it was down in the south, but she typically had a keen interest in Central Restaurants. But this wasn't exactly just a regular go-out to dinner and relax ordeal, Helva had come here for a reason, and that reason was work-related, she had received info that someone was going to shakedown this specific location for money. Money that she didn't want in their hands, the gang she was dealing with called themselves the Raging Bulls, a gang more than likely got too emboldened by the hurricane event that they decided to expand their operations into the south. While the Hurricane event had taken its toll, it had also brought Helva back, more permanently, and she was ready to make life hell for any Phoenix enemy that dared thought to take up arms against them.

But as of right now, Helvas main concern should be getting a table where she could monitor anyone that goes into the kitchen and enters the restaurant. As Helva approached the man at the front desk she began to speak to him "Table for one please, preferably one close to the kitchen so that I can get my order faster." Helva gave an amused smirk to the man suggesting that she was messing around, but the man was still more than willing to carry out her request, asking her to follow him, which Helva had done without much hesitation. He then set her menu down at a table close to the wall and the kitchen, she gave an innocent smile to the man and gave her thanks as he walked away. Helvas smile quickly turned into a frown as she took up the menu in order to make it look like she was busy thinking about what she was going to order. She then used one of her other hands to feel for the tomahawk and gun she had hidden on her, she was fully aware that the gang was going to come to this place today, but she wasn't sure on what approach they were gonna use or how many of them to expect. Though she did have her speculations on their approach and the number of people they will likely send, but she was never 100% about anything.

 

[thebigfella]

Shishido Takakazu

CS Link

SCENE:

The Same Kids That Blew Into Cartridges Would Laugh At You Learning Harmonica

LOCATION:

West District

TIME:

February 19th, 2022 || Pre-Arc 3

PARTCIPANTS:

Tak, Kiwi ( gxxberkit )

The Same Kids That Blew Into Cartridges Would Laugh At You Learning Harmonica

After making a ruckus, he stared at the door waiting for it to open and to be greeted by the familiar green-haired pint-sized geek he had become acquainted with. He heard the slight sound of the doorknob turning as the door opened.

He greeted Kiwi’s expression with his annoyed leer, the breaking down of his bike already putting him in a bad mood. He opened his mouth to speak--

Only to have the door shut in his face, not without Kiwi chastising him for being late.

Stuck back with his focus directed at a lifeless wooden door, a shade cast over the top half of his face, standing silently. A hand slowly raised from his side to cup at his chin as his eyes looked to the side in thought, a slight gleam over his pupils.

“Which part of her yard should I shit on?” He considered his options, immediately jumping ten steps to conclude his following action, preparing his crude retaliation for being treated in such a way.

Luckily, before he could do anything to defile the poor woman’s house, the door opened back as she revealed it was nothing but a harmless joke.

“Oh? You were joking?” The volatile air surrounding him dissipated as he now looked at the shorter woman with an apathetic leer, his unexpressive eyes leering. “You really had me worried for a second there….” He trailed off; from how his tone dropped, it seemed he was less worried about not playing the game, but instead of what he was about to do, assuming it wasn’t a joke.

He followed behind her as she led the way into the house’s interior, his eyes looking around the decor leisurely as he shoved his hands into his pockets. Compared to his apartment, Kiwi’s place was in much better shape, even if it was a bit of a mess.

He snapped out of his thoughts as they entered the living room, and Kiwi told him to take a load off; he would gladly have taken advantage of such an offer, but one glance to the side showed her labrador and German shepherd had taken up the whole thing, sprawled out.

“Where the hell am I supposed to sit on that thing? Are those two just some weird pillows? Did you hit them with a wand, and they came to life?” Tak complained about the dogs taking up the space on the couch, plopping himself onto the floor and crossing his legs. Then, just as he was ready to get comfortable, expecting Kiwi to walk away and get the game, she asked a question of him that caused him to raise a brow in agitation.

“Huh? Why the hell should I clean up your mess? Hire a maid or somethin’! Better yet, use all that money and become someone’s sugar mommy and let them clean for you!” Tak denounced the simple request, clearly not having any gratification for Kiwi doing him a favor, frowning as he scowled. There was no way he would demean himself by picking up the pint-sized brat!

 

[Horror]

Faelan Bryne

CS Link

SCENE:

Shadow On The Line

TIME:

Pre Arc 1 - February 2020

LOCATION:

Reinhart Home, South District

PARTICIPANTS:

Callista Reinhart Wxnter

Shadows On The Line

As the door creaked open, Faelan's eyes finally beheld Callista and his heart leaped in shock. Instinctively, he reached out to embrace her, yet there was a subtle hesitation behind his motions. There was a dash of uncertainty bespeckled along his features and it was clear that he did not know where they stood in the light of their tangled past. With a solemn nod, Faelan acknowledged Callista's presence, and cautiously crossed the threshold into the manor.

With each step he took along the grand staircase, memories flooded upon him. His feet seemed to recall the familiar rhythm of the climb, each creak and groan of the wooden steps a reminder of the countless times he had traversed them. With every rise and fall, the echoes of laughter and shared moments resonated within him. Faelan's index finger traced the ornate railing as he continued his ascent. To his surprise, a thin layer of dust clung to his fingertip. This discovery struck him, as the once immaculate abode had been a paragon of cleanliness during his previous visits.

Memories of Reinhardt meticulously instilling those values in Callista surfaced, and Faelan recalled moments where the intensity of his teachings veered towards the frightening. The dust upon the railing seemed a stark contrast to the manor's former grandeur, and Faelan couldn't help but ponder the depths of change that had occurred within Callista's life since the passing of her ever-fastidious father.

When Faelan entered Callista's chamber, his gaze wandered, searching for a suitable place to sit and catch up. His eyes locked onto a plush armchair, it was a familiar piece of furniture where they had shared abundant laughter and secrets. Midway through lowering himself into the seat, Faelan's movements were arrested by the chilling utterance of three haunting words, “I did it.” The stark admission hung like an icy fog, permeating the room with a gravity that threatened to engulf him.

Overwhelmed by the gravity of Callista's confession, Faelan's hands instinctively grasped his head. He collapsed into the chair, surrendering to its embrace as he lowered his head in a futile attempt to find and collect his thoughts. As Callista continued to speak, her voice became a soft static in Faelan's mind, the words indistinguishable amidst the chaos of emotions and memories that surged through his consciousness. The once-familiar room seemed to close in around him, as he struggled to comprehend the implications of her admission.

A chilling clarity began to emerge from the depths of confusion. The scattered fragments of doubt and suspicion that had lingered suddenly merged, forming a harrowing picture that now seemed painfully obvious. He chastised himself internally, berating his own blindness for not recognizing the truth that had been lurking beneath the surface all along. The weight of realization pressed heavily upon his shoulders, as he struggled to reconcile the image of the cherished friend he had once known with the reality that now lay bare before him.

His gaze lifted to meet Callista's, searching her eyes for remnants of the girl he once knew. Memories of her father, Reinhardt, flooded his mind—a man who had been his first steady mentor as he ventured into the vast, unforgiving world beyond the circus tent. He recalled Callista's burning ambition, her relentless pursuit of excellence, which had once been a source of inspiration for him. As the past unfolded before his eyes, Faelan struggled to reconcile the image of his mentor's daughter, a bright young woman with boundless potential, with the stark reality of her chilling confession.

Faelan's fingers dug into the fabric of the armchair, the knuckles turning a ghostly white as a torrent of questions surged through his mind. Desperate for answers, he beseeched Callista, his voice a mix of confusion and despair. "Why, Callista? Was it for the money?" he asked, his voice fighting to constrain anger. "Or did you not want to join the Phoenixes? Were you tired of listening to him?" As his questions tumbled forth, Faelan's voice grew more frantic, culminating in a final, panicked inquiry that betrayed his deepest fears. "Callista," he pleaded, his eyes searching hers for a glimmer of truth, "did he do something to you?"

The room was steeped in silence as Faelan's last question hung heavily in the air. He allowed the quiet to envelop them, granting space for the gravity of his inquiries to settle. Finally, he spoke again, his voice grainy with the weight of concern and anguish.

“Did he hurt you?”

 

[thebigfella]

Shishido Takakazu

CS Link

SCENE:

Getting Bigger Means You Get Worse At Hiding Small Things

LOCATION:

North District

TIME:

Pre Arc 1 || 2021

PARTCIPANTS:

Tak, Nao ( tityanya )

Getting Bigger Means You Get Worse At Hiding Small Things

Tak didn’t say a word as Nao crouched before him. He had no clue what she had planned and certainly having her hands placed onto his face and her forehead pushed against his own. His mouth hung agape as he was confused at what she was trying to accomplish, blinking at her.

However, as the high-pitched mockery of his earlier statement came from her lips, his puzzlement expeditiously shifted to vexation, a prominent vein worming its way onto his forehead as it pulsed, his brows knitted together, face twitching as he had his own words turned against him.

“It would be great if you had a heart attack now. Keel over and die. I’m sure with all the take-out you’ve been eating, they’ll think the cocaine in your system is powdered sugar instead when they perform your autopsy,” Tak coldly replied to Nao’s ribbing, moving his head to snatch his head out of her grip, “I don’t need your help anyway! I’ll take care of this myself!”

With that declaration, Tak placed his free hand against the ground, using it as a support to shift from his kneeling position to a crouching one. With his feet placed on the ground, his eyes shut for a pause, only to open back up, his lifeless pupils constricted tight and filled with drive.

“HURRRRRRRHHHAAAA!”

As his mouth opened to let out a strained groan, his body exerted its power, legs bracing against the ground as his neck tensed, the veins in them protruding out of his skin as his teeth gritted. The vending machine went from its position on the floor to rise in the air, its shadow widening as the projected light it gave off shifted.

Tak’s body shifted sideways as he stood with even gravity, his back bent like a broken tree as he breathed heavily, visibly condensing in the air. The fact he wasn’t sweating at all showcased the natural physical strength his potential had gifted him.

But, it didn’t change the fact he now was standing with a whole vending machine slouched over his body, the dirty magazines inside falling out of place in the shifted gravity.

“....Alright. Time to go home.”

Deep shading brushed over his face as he wore a deadpan expression; Tak took laborious steps toward the alley’s exit, seemingly fully intent on returning to whence he came with the machine attached to him. It seemed like he would get somewhere.

Until he reached the alleyway, he halted in place as the size of the vending machine kept him from leaving. The thin metal exterior bumping against cement bricks echoed through the empty lot.

Despite clearly not being able to leave with the vending machine, Tak continued to try and walk forward through the alley, his arm tugging behind him as he tried to stroll along like nothing had happened, his arm stretching and shaking as his sandals began to scrape against the ground, trying to brute force his way out of the situation.

Then, the traction on his worn-down sandals gave out, the lack of friction letting the resistance of his arms pull him backward, leading him to stumble and fall onto the ground, his head slamming against the concrete. Just before, the vending machine fell on top of him, smashing across his chest as his eyes bulged out of his head and a geyser of blood spurted out from his mouth into the sky like a fountain.

His eyes rolled into the back of his head as he lay there still for a moment, blood leaking down from the corner of his mouth; it almost seemed like he had actually left and gone to the afterlife…

“OW! OWWWWW! HELP! HELP! HELP ME DAMNIT!”

But, his pained screams and wailing legs that slammed against the ground came with his resuscitation, trying to worm himself out from under the machine crushing him to death.

 

[miki]

Hiachi Ito

CS Link

SCENE:

Drunk Walk Home

LOCATION:

Central, Alleyway

DATE:

Post Arc 3 | 1:07 AM

PARTICIPANTS:

Hiachi, Teddie

DRUNK WALK HOME

There is pain and then there is agony. That of which claws open the jaw and forces a shrill scream out of the throat, not for help or for any practical reason but because there is no way that the body can handle the torturous sensation any other way.

Nothing could override the agony of the burn—not the slick feeling of the bilge on her back, sticking her mucky clothes to her skin, not the chill of a summer night, she couldn’t feel anything past the burn and maybe her diluted liver.

It was like a roller coaster in the dark. One second, her tears were wiped away like she had crawled into her mother’s lap in tears, the next she was smacked over the side of her skull. A pounding, resounding, blood-thumping sensation reverberating in her head. But it was all just a gun pointed at her head, wasn’t it?

She couldn’t see anything because she shut her eyes and she was scared. Little baby Hiachi. Brave-faced coward.

And the burn.

Hiachi squinted her eyes, and it was blurry but she could make out what was right in front of her. She was face to face with a monster. Pale green eyes of a demon. They had grabbed her by the arms and lifted her up to their level—one, maybe two inches off of the ground.

Every couple of seconds, she would forget she was fighting something sentient and try to kick in the general direction of what was holding her in place. But it was a person, and her thin legs couldn’t do anything against them. He was strong—or maybe it had to do with the fact that his hands were made of tar. She could feel her skin beneath it bubbling and burnt and assimilating with the substance. Burning all over her nerves.

Hyperventilating. What are you supposed to do? Don’t give your name to scary strangers. Her throat was tightening because it didn’t want her to speak either.

“Stop, stop stop stop—” She kept kicking limply, because what else was she gonna do? And they weren’t gonna stop, and Hiachi knew this, but there isn’t much thinking that goes into fight or flight. “Stop it, you’re hurting me, please!”

Patches of amnesia filled her head like a bottle of white-out spilled over. What is your name?

“HIACHI,” She gasped, “My name is Hiachi—Let me go, please.”

​

 

[Lucem]

Ezra Knight

CS Link

SCENE:

In the Tigers' Web

TIME:

Post-Arc 3, Timeskip 1 | June 3rd

LOCATION:

Nameless Storefront, West District

PARTICIPANTS:

Ezra, Dagger, Elias, Jennifer, Passeri

IN THE TIGERS' WEB

For a moment, Ezra simply stood there, looking over the offered hand with a scrutinizing gaze. Before the silence could stretch into uncomfortable territory, he took a step forward. Fully aware of what he was doing, he shook Elias's hand of his own volition. He met the older man's stare directly, his expression lacking any signs of worry or wariness. "Likewise."

It was a display of trust, a rare commodity in the Tigers. He and Elias didn't have a deep bond that warranted that kind of recklessness, but Ezra hoped it would be the first step in strengthening their relationship. He was trying to build a foundation with what little materials he had at his disposal. Connections were more important than anything else now, and the Yumin heir was a strong one.

He didn't intend to let the contact last for long, so he was grateful that Passeri brought a natural end to the interaction by opening the door. As Elias had pointed out, the new Jack seemed to be short on sleep. It wasn't very surprising, considering how much happened in a short period of time. Anyone would find it difficult to rest after all that, including himself. Even now, the dark circles under Ezra's eyes remained.

As he followed behind Elias, Ezra took a moment to return Dagger's nod, greeting his old mentor with a level of respect. When he looked at her, he remembered the incidents in the South and the King's penthouse. There were also flashes of the year he spent under her tutelage. Those memories caused something to stir inside of him, reminding him that he was still lacking. Hopefully, that would be dealt with soon, but now wasn't really the time.

Moving on, he took a seat next to Elias and listened to the man's suggestion. When the topic turned to what Ezra discovered after they separated back in the mines, the young Knight leaned forward, thinking back to those two short hours. He also thought about the two Tigers who accompanied him, as well as their fates.

"We found signs of prisoners being kept in the mines, along with a Grant statue. They were probably being kept alive down there until the ritual was ready." He and the others still didn't know a lot about the cult, but the fact that they were holding people captive and turning them into mindless sacrifices made them irredeemable.

Ezra let Passeri explain the rest. He preferred not to think about what happened after the earthquake began. Despite it being his primary motivation, the exact moment of Isobel's capture was something he didn't want to revisit. He didn't care for the memory of his mental struggle either.

When Jennifer finally arrived, Ezra kept a close eye on her. He watched for any sudden moves or changes in expression as Passeri explained the purpose of today's gathering. He appreciated that the new Jack was creating an opportunity to resolve things relatively peacefully, but there was also a part of him that remained aware of the risks involved with showing mercy. There was no guarantee that the daughter wasn't in league with the father.

As he waited for Jennifer's response, Ezra became more aware of the weight carried by his many holsters. The intent and emotion revealed by the silver-haired woman's gaze made him wary, but he made no obvious attempts to reach for a weapon. Staying aware was important, but so was knowing when to act.

Ignoring the sting accompanied by the sound of Isobel's name, Ezra wondered if Jennifer would choose to personally review memories of the mission. If so, he'd have to keep an even closer eye on her. Even though he wasn't fully in control of his actions back then, he was the one who stabbed Jacob Webber and assisted in his capture.

Spoiler: Tags

QuirkyAngel @Saturn_moon @simj26 The One Eyed Bandit Uasal

 

[QuirkyAngel]

Elias Yumin

CS Link

SCENE:

St. Steinburg's Maiden Voyage

TIME:

July 1st, 2022 | Post Arc 3, TimeSkip 1

LOCATION:

The Open Seas (Day 0)

PARTICIPANTS:

Elias, Zach, Taka, Yushui, Kairong(?), Hiachi, Tak, Sebastian

St. Steinburg's Maiden Voyage

At exactly 5:00 pm, once all passengers boarded, their tickets checked and their luggages loaded into the glamorous cabins they paid for (depending on the class of tickets they bought), the St. Steinburg departed Amestrian shores. Visually-stunning displays of elegance, sophisticated decor, and craftsmanship aside, those that paid for a ticket aboard the St. Steinburg were treated to a lavish hotel in the sea, with various activities to keep them entertained as they made their 10-day journey across Amestrian waters. From spacious decks where passengers could recline and enjoy the view to big restaurants and movie theaters, gaming centers to well-equipped gyms and courts, passengers would struggle to find recreational and entertainment facilities that didn’t exist aboard the St. Steinburg. Spas. Bars. Libraries of books and high-end art. The list went on and on.

On the topmost deck sits a giant pool where passengers could swim or soak their feet in. Enjoy watersports or just host parties around. It was up to the passengers how they wished to spend their time on the St. Steinburg, after all.

Every cabin came equipped with room service, despite the class of ticket they’d bought, and regardless of whether they possessed a gold, silver, or bronze ticket, every passenger was courteously guided by a uniformed ship worker to their room where they were given their keycards, a brochure, and some complimentary supplies. As soon as they settled in, the ship came to life as guests–all 3000 of them–explored the various amenities that St. Steinburg had to offer. Music. Lights. Once evening drew near, the grand vessel brightened with an assortment of nightly activities and fine dining for guests to enjoy.

However, those who received a certain ‘platinum’ ticket were guided in a different direction…

Below Deck
Tigers.

They really did come in all shapes and sizes. Some dressed luxuriously, adorning a neat and elegant appearance. Others wore street wear, looking as thug-like as their true nature. Some were short and stout. Others were tall and lanky. Regardless, Elias had requested them as a precaution, offering the cruise ship job to any Tiger that caught his eye–or any Tiger that looked like they needed a job.

Whether they decided to dress the part, or keep to civilian clothes, was up to them.

“I’m glad you all could come,” Below the deck of the ship, outside of what appears to be a locked storage area, Elias Yumin personally handed each of the Albino Tigers their room keycard, a security radio, and a pamphlet detailing their work rotations and security shifts throughout the ship–each timetable catered so their was at least one Tiger standing outside a cargo hold at a time. The St. Steinburg had three separate holds. One for the regular cargo, one for the more expensive cargo, and a hidden one for the special cargo. “Your task is simple–to ensure the St. Steinburg makes it through her first voyage successfully. This means protecting the passengers, the crew, and the cargo while nipping away any problems before they crop up. That said, I don’t actually expect very many problems” unless they run into pirates or sea monsters “so you’re free to enjoy the cruise as you please while not on duty. The ticket you possess will give you access to all the premium luxuries the St. Steinburg has to offer. Consider this my thanks for coming all the way to help lil ol’ me with some personal investments.”

Even if he possessed more initial wealth and financial security than some veteran Tigers, at the end of the day, Elias was still a rookie learning the gangster ropes. Though the Albino Tiger system was designed in a pay-to-win manner, he doubted money was the only thing needed to “earn stripes” in the West District’s premier delinquent organization.

If it were, he’d find himself bored.

“We’ll be stopping at several islands along the way, which is where things may get complicated. If you encounter any problems, try to deal with it quietly. We wouldn’t want to spook the regular passengers, after all.”

Was there anything else?

“Oh, and if you encounter some of these guys onboard,” Elias slung his arm over the shoulder of one of the black soldiers standing guard at the door, pulling the ether creation–that didn’t respond–towards him. “Don’t worry about them. They’re here to help you with the security of the ship.”

From Valarie's chess pieces to her children scattered about the ship, Elias wasn’t even sure the Tigers would be needed, but it never hurt to have more. Among passengers, there were some pretty high end businessmen and politicians–both HPs and NPs–after all. He could only hope the political climate didn’t get too tense.

“ I think that’s all I want to say–”

“HELP–!” *static* The line on the other side of the security radios–that suddenly came to life–went dead.

…

“Oh dear. If that’s a prank, it’s a poor one.”

The cruise only just started, after all. Wondering if one of the crew members had fallen off the ship or something, Elias figured he ought to try to identify the worker that needed assistance. Maybe. On one hand, it was ominous enough to warrant attention. On the other, if it turned out to be nothing, it’d be a waste of his time. Security could handle it. Elias smiled, his eyes sweeping the array of thugs and criminals he hired to protect his ship as he finished. “Anyway, I hope you enjoy your 10-day stay on the St. Steinburg, Tigers; Work hard, play hard. Do you have any questions for me?”

miki AriAriAbabwa Seaquill @simj26 Coyote Hart thebigfella @tityanya Wxnter

(Starting now players ought include the day #/time they want certain events/scenes to occur on the ship. Feel free to do whatever so long as you aren't killing other players and tag me if u wanna do something that affects the boat/all other players as a whole)

 

[thebigfella]

Shishido Takakazu

CS Link

SCENE:

Reaching The Heavens From Hell (Pre-Arc 3)

LOCATION:

Tourist & Casino District, West District

PARTICIPANTS:

Shishido Takakazu, Sylvie Slezák ( WhiskeyMarten )

Reaching The Heavens From Hell

There was no doubt that Sylvie was richer than him; anyone could tell that from a glance. Yet, the Tiger only felt the need to cement such a fact deeper as he went on about how wealthy he was. From high-class restaurants to expensive clothing, he was in a different world than Tak.

“Yeah, yeah. I get it! You’re loaded! You have so much money you could wipe your ass with five-ply toilet paper! You wash your hands with the tears of angels instead of soap! I bet it calls 100% of bacteria, too, huh!?’ Tak responded to the man’s gloating with his bathroom-focused rant, hoping it would finally get the message that there was no more need to brag. At this point, it had grown tiring more than annoying.

Once again, Tak raised a finger to point at Sylvie, raising his voice as he furrowed his brow. “If you’re so confident in winning, how about you drop to 50 too, then?! Better yet, give me 150 dollars! No! Give me 200!” His denouncement of Sylvie somehow turned to begging halfway through before he crossed his arms and nodded his head over to the opposite side of the casino, away from the roulette tables, “If you’re gonna go over and play roulette, then I’m gonna go ahead and take on the slots. I’ll hit the jackpot quicker than tossing around balls can get you.”

He turned his head back to the finely dressed man, scowling as he focused on the line ahead, the last person in front of Sylvie finally leaving and clearing the path ahead.

“Look, you can do whatever you need to get out of my way now. So go ahead and hurry up.”

 

[miki]

Hiachi Ito

CS Link

SCENE:

Return To Sender

LOCATION:

Hotel Gaul, West District

DATE:

Post Arc 2 | Night

PARTICIPANTS:

Hiachi Ito, Passeri Park

Return To Sender

Hiachi caught the balaclava with both hands. She inspected it, reminded of cartoonish bank robbers from old movies. But she would rather look goofy than identifiable, she supposed. She slipped the garment over her head.

It was a windy night and they were high up. The cityscape of the west district was visible from where they were, and all the streep lamps and car lights looked like dots.

Passeri’s bright pink created a platform of glowing matter extended from the balcony’s edge. She stepped onto it like nothing, fully confident in the power of her potential. She held her hand out to Hiachi, charming quip and all.

Hiachi hesitated, only to remind herself where she was and what situation she was in. Passeri Park was her boss now, so it wasn’t the time to remind herself that she was a celebrity. She gently placed her fingers to hers and pulled herself onto the platform.

The second she stepped on, her legs felt wobbly. They were really high up. She trusted Passeri, but that wind wasn’t helping. The urge to look down was strong, but doing so would probably end with Hiachi toppling over both her and Passeri.

But then the platform started to move.

The lack of any safety measures made Hiachi uneasy, but she tried her best to remain stable as her legs felt like buckling beneath her weight. When they finally reached the penthouse’s level, Hiachi quickly stepped back onto the stable building—ignoring her boss for the moment that she stabilized herself with the railing.

​

 

[Anne Boolean]

Pascal Corbin

CS Link

SCENE:

Rain on the Mountaintop

LOCATION:

Borgo Orecchiette, Fusilli

PARTICIPANTS:

Passeri, Jackson, Jesper, Pascal, Milo, Gav

Rain on the Mountaintop

It wasn't just Thelma, the third guy who they had planned to group up with was here too! "Well, I might be missing a few droplets, but-" Pascal blinked, realizing that the joke out of context would probably just cause confusion. "Yeah, I am," he confirmed with a pleasant smile. "You look to be too. I'm glad." Thelma seemed to have a casualty which was being remedied by a cast, but they seemed to be completely unconcerned by it. As they said, the gang was back together.

Only when they referred to him as Ted though, did it hit him. The trio still didn't know each other's names. "So we could totally give you a name from the show," his eyes fell on Jackson before addressing the two of them once again, "but what do you guys go by?"

As Thelma talked about their trip, he couldn't help but give a small grin. Adorable. The air hostess seemed to have thought so too by the sound of it. "I guess I was nervous too. I've never flown before." Well, maybe because of someone's Potential or something, but never on a plane. "I was more so just excited though. I've never been out of New Oasis before either, truth be told." A thought about his family once again popped into his head. Where were the now? Had they been traveling? Had they seen a good portion of this vast wide planet by now at least? He sure hoped so. What would be the chances of them being in Fusilli at this very moment? The possibility made him want to explore every corner of this country for the slim chance of possibly running into them.

That wouldn't be possible though. He certainly couldn't afford that. He was here on Passeri's dollar, and as generous as it was, it only was only valid at this villa during this weekend. The dreamy expression made way for a disappointed one more a split second before a cheerful smile returned to Pascal's face.

"I'd be down for some eggplant," the blond responded, doing his best not to make it into an innuendo related to the emoji. He followed along with the rest of the guests once they were invited into the dining hall by Passeri, and his eyes widened at the selection that was available. Instant ramen had nothing on any of this. "Whoa..." He was taken out of his food trance as Thelma rushed ahead. He gave an apologetic smile to the star as he followed, curious to see what had his company so eager. Upon finding out, all he could do was give a skeptical look.

"Is that so...?" he asked in regards to it being a delicacy. Pascal was more keen to believe his palette was just unrefined, so after watching Thelma down two, he picked up a cracker and topped it with one before trying for himself. His brow furrowed as he chewed, but after a moment, a pleasantly surprised expression graced his face. "Huh... it's really good!" Definitely salty, but still really good. As much as he was willing to try another though, his blue eyes fell on the rest of the plates available for them. "Oh, I'm hoping to have everything," he responded with a chuckle, imagining he wouldn't get an opportunity to eat this well again in his lifetime. His frame was small in relation to some of the others here, but he was nothing if not determined. Picking up one of the empty plates, Pascal started taking small samples from each dish.

Spoiler: Interactions

BriiAngelic The One Eyed Bandit

Spoiler: Mentions

AriAriAbabwa @The Regal Rper Elenion Aura

 

[Nobody Special]

VULKEN BECKMAN

CS Link

SCENE:

Play With Fire

LOCATION:

Crown Spire Casino, South District

TIME:

Post-Arc 3 | May 5th, 2022

PARTICIPANTS:

Hiachi, Vulken

CURRENT STAGE:

0 --> 3

PLAY WITH FIRE

Vulken slouched in his seat at the Crown Spire Casino’s bar, endlessly lapping away at what was either his fourth or fourteenth (he had horrendously lost count) drink of the night, and pathetically toying around with his very last chip like a child playing with a boring toy.

As lucrative as his line of work was, Vulken was still smart enough to set boundaries when it came to gambling. He had a family he had to take care of now, after all– if a foster child, a best friend, and an idiot little-shit brother who was somehow still a pro at stealing his credit card after all these years could be considered a family, that was. And while he normally either broke even or hit it big, today just wasn’t his fucking night– and it was depressing.

So depressing, in fact, that instead of flipping the chip he gripped so tightly in his hand at the extremely attractive dealer as a tip (and, hopefully, a hint that he wanted her phone number), he kept it close and desperately refused to part ways with it as if it were his last dollar.

As he crestfallenly gulped down the rest of his white ruthenian, one of many sudden rage-filled uproars erupted from the poker table. He tuned it out, as he’d evolved to do, but the scared, quivering voice of a woman in distress poked at his eardrums, forcing him to spin his neck to get a look at what was going on.

“Cheatin’ bitch!”

“Yeah, it’s gotta be her! She’s the only one drowinin’ in chips!”

“Give us our fuckin’ money back, you little shit!”

At first, Vulken thought the attractive dealer from his table was being attacked (with his shit luck, he had suspected her of cheating once or twice in his mind too, but she was just too cute to accuse), but he was quick to realize that she was actually away from the table, rushing over to grab security for help. The true victim of this quickly escalating riot was none other than a…

… a little girl?

Oh, whatever. By the time he realized his card-dealing future one-night-stand was safe from harm, he was already four steps away from the table.

…now three. Now one…

BOOM! In tandem with his last step, five thundering plumes of heat exploded from the ground, planting itself deeply into the torsos of the attackers. Within seconds, they were all felled and writing on the ground in pain. However, some of them were somehow getting back up. HPs.

Shiiiit…

Without wasting another second, Vulken reached over and shoved as many of the girl’s chips into his jacket pockets as possible, and looked at her.

Eh, ‘yer small enough.

Suddenly, his arms extended– lifting the dark-haired girl and pulling her into a bridal-style hold, before rushing towards the casino doors in hopes of kicking them open to run as far from the place as possible. He wasn't normally one to run, but getting in a full-on HP casino fight with a bunch of innocent bystanders around could become a serious hazard.

“Let’s go!”

miki

 

[Coyote Hart]

Peyton Xiong

CS Link

SCENE:

Spicy Juice

TIME:

April 9th | Pre-Arc 3

LOCATION:

Eternal Night Palace; East District

PARTICIPANTS:

Yushui, Peyton, Isaiah, Hanji, Jackson, Otillie, Jessamine

Spicy Juice

A taker for the Nector Fuego and an abstainer, in more than one way than one. Peyton could work with that. He began grabbing the ingredients he needed: Passionfruit Schnapp, Campari, chili liqueur, mango juice, and a lemon. And at that moment, Peyton saw his boss, Meirin saunter to the bar, and he waved happily, "Boss! Hi!"

It took only another moment to grab more ingredients for Meirin's serving.

"I can make some nonalcoholic drinks if you want!" Peyton offered Hanji as he poured some water into a glass along with some ice and passed it over to him. His was the quickest to get out of the way, and then Peyton could move towards making the Nector Fuegos. Peyton combined his ingredients into a chilled shaker and began to shake. Four highball glasses, a strainer, some clear glass cubes, and a wedge of lemon as garnish later, and Peyton had finished the four Nectar Fuegos and passed it on to Yushui. Peyton wasn't the best of bartenders, but he certainly vaguely tried. He didn't bat an eye at the high amounts of alcohol requested-- he was a gangster, so he didn't care whether he was legally required to stop people before they became too drunk. "Enjoy! Tell me if it's too spicy, I can dull it down for you if you wanna!"

And for Meirin's drink, he made it separately, adding an extra dash of Campari and using a colder shaker with no ice to get a bolder taste, just as he knew Meirin liked it. As he shook, he gave Meirin a wink, noticing how she focused on Peyton's drink making. He finished it with a careful pour and served it to Meirin with a bow and a wink. "Here you go, boss! Tell me how it tastes!"

The Nectar Fuego had been a more recent addition to the menu, and Peyton wasn't quite sure how it tasted. All he knew was that the light kick of spice and sour along with the fruitiness was to resemble the passion and play of the brothel, but he personally hadn't had the chance to have one yet.

And just on time, just as Peyton thought he would get a break from the drink mixing, a familiar blond haired worker appeared: One Jackson Alessi. Peyton liked Jackson a lot. Getting bullied by Jackson's words was a fun ordeal that Peyton honestly couldn't get enough of. Immediately, without needing to be prompted, Peyton began grabbing bottles and getting to work.

Peach Schnapps. Melon Liqueur. Creme de Menthe, jolly green in order to give its color. Orange and pineapple juice. With a mix and a stir, he poured it into a glass filled with crushed ice, serving it to Jackson with a metal straw. A Welsh Dragon, Jackson's favorite. He slid it across the bar to Jackson, and leaned on the table with an interested stare, "Prince Charming! Hi! I thought you weren't working today though?"

Peyton wasn't going to complain though. Working with friends always made things more fun.

"I'm sure that if you wanted to ask someone, they wouldn't have a problem!" Peyton said to Hanji, "But there's also no shame in just looking! Just make sure you're enjoying yourself!"

No shame. Well, that was a bucket of irony and a half. Peyton never had qualms of doing something "shameful," not after that body and mind altering lab experiment that he endured. And there was no way for him to truly understand the experience of the brothel workers. Peyton had almost never accepted a request for sex, no matter the price. He liked the image he portrayed: an unattainable bartender, dashing in his fitted outfit, suggestive but out of reach. Only once a blue moon did he accept a request, and those were rare blue moons indeed.

And in the recent past, there had been no such blue moons, as Peyton abstained in fear of making a certain spidery Serpent jealous.

With a momentary break in the customers, Peyton was able to rest his feet by putting some of his weight on the bar table and engaging in the conversation. It was coming together to be a very interesting night. Some of his favorite people were there to help pass the time, and some interesting new people were about to spice things up. These nights were the best; they passed in a blink of an eye and Peyton found himself enjoying himself up to his past-midnight clock out time.

Seaquill QuirkyAngel The Crimson King BriiAngelic

 

[AriAriAbabwa]

Jesper Albrecht

CS Link

SCENE:

The Ties that Bond Us

TIME:

Post-Arc 3

LOCATION:

East District, Noodle Nirvana

PARTICIPANTS:

Jesper, Charlie

The Ties that Bond Us

"This was an unprovoked attack from a gang of ruthless killers with the intent of taking us down! This pathetic attack is a clear example of the state New Oasis' mayor's and our very government's incompetence! They're letting us die out here, in our streets! In our homes! And you know what this crab bucket of a city does to an honest man trying to do what's best for us? Drag. Them. Down. The Phoenixes targeted my son, Jesper! By targeting my heir, they made it clear that they're afraid of us. They don't want us gaining safety and control over ourselves. The Phoenixes are all bloodthirsty savages. But they failed, and now my son has a few words to say after his narrow escape."

A nudge on Jesper's back. His father ushered him forward, into the fray of camera flashes and news stations. His throat dried up. Say what he wants you to say. "The Phoenixes struck first. Like at the major bridge, they drew first blood. If it weren't for Guardian, I would be dead. All this attack is, is proof that Albrecht Industries' security works. I am proud to be inheriting it all..." Jesper felt his father's hand on his shoulder. He did well.

And everyone knew his face.

Such was the purpose of Jesper going out on his own will.

The shock of his empty basement remained fresh in his mind. Jesper had no idea what to do if his normal life truly was coming to an end. If Charlie and Ten would disappear, too. That was why he felt so elated when he texted the group chat, asking if they could hang out in his favorite noodle place in the East, and was met with a promising response from Charlie. Although Ten didn't reply (Jesper figured they didn't take kindly to learning his affiliation), Charlie's was sheer relief.

The plan was to explain everything at the ramen place. Jesper's family, the whole Dragons thing, why he hid it from them, just... anything to stop them from disappearing, too...

Jesper, in his usual casual wear, couldn't help but squirm amid the eyes piercing into him. There weren't many people here thankfully, but the accompanying quietness was only deafening. He remained seated, waiting for Charlie to turn up.

Roda the Red

 

[Lucem]

Ezra Knight

CS Link

SCENE:

Clad in Golden Dreams

TIME:

Post-Arc 3, Timeskip 1 | June 16th, 2022

LOCATION:

West District

PARTICIPANTS:

Ezra, Elias, Hiachi, Jesper, Jessamine, Markus, Passeri, Tak, Vissarion

CLAD IN GOLDEN DREAMS

As he observed Markus and his entourage from the corner of his eye, Ezra bit his tongue in an effort to keep his usual muttering from spilling out. He kept the comments in his head, not wanting to risk facing the potential consequences of his standoffish boss somehow overhearing. For a King, he's not very courtly...

Trying his best to believe that the head Tiger wouldn't stir up any trouble, he disguised the worry with a neutral expression and a champagne glass. To take his mind off things, he limited his focus to the two guests he shared a table with, listening as Passeri continued to lead the discussion. When she mentioned associates, Ezra felt as though she had cast a spotlight on one of his greatest shortcomings.

A number of people came to mind when he tried to think of individuals he had somewhat notable ties to. Out of the Tigers, there was only Dagger, but the one-eyed woman could also be considered a member of the other group he had connections with. Before joining the gang, Ezra studied under several mentors, all of them considered masters in their respective fields. Some of them even commanded great influence in certain circles. However, those relationships ended along with the year-long tutoring sessions. It didn't help that his father swept their affiliation with him under the rug.

When it came to associates, he had none. None that weren't gained through his father, at least. That had to change. He couldn't afford to let opportunity pass by. He couldn't just hide in the corner anymore.

When Vissarion made his position clear, Ezra nodded along. It was always difficult to tell what a person's true motivations were, but the condition his fellow Tiger set was a noble one. He just hoped the blond wasn't using it to disguise a selfish plot.

"KnightCorp has a long history of philanthropy, including work aimed at helping children. I'm sure the company will be happy to assist in making sure those affected by the disaster still have a future." Especially because most charity came with the boon of tax deductions and a better public image.

Ezra never forgot how people in the corporate world liked to hide their greed behind altruism. His family's company was no different, always looking for a way to spread their influence. On a personal level, however...

"Personally, I want to help as many people as possible." He and Passeri were at the source of the earthquake when it happened, and he knew the disaster was anything but natural. He saw firsthand how it affected people. He remembered the destruction, the screams, and the fear-filled expressions of the people desperately trying to escape. Those terrible memories were still fresh in his mind, and they'd probably never leave him. However, those weren't the only memories he held onto.

Even though his consciousness had been locked away at the time, he recalled helping a mother and her child. He also remembered the young boy's gratitude and relief. It caused something to stir inside of him back then, allowing his suppressed mind to slam harder against its cage.

He was lacking in power and influence, but he was determined to do everything he could with what he had. He wanted to help people like that boy. He wanted to make sure there would be no more victims like the poor souls who had been turned into mindless sacrifices by the cult. Of course, he also wanted to help his friend.

He didn't want to hurt anyone, and he didn't want to see anyone get hurt anymore. A wannabe gangster trying to play hero was laughable, but that's what he wanted to do. Now he had to put in the work to get everything he wanted. Despite being the black sheep of his family and never fitting in with the Albino Tigers, he was starting to become quite greedy himself.

"While I can't make any decisions on my own, I can quickly present things to my father and the board. Whatever we discuss today, I promise to consult with them about it and push for a favorable decision. Of course, that also goes for anything we discuss in the future."

Ezra never had much influence in the company, and he only ever spoke to his father to deliver mission reports. On his own, it would be extremely difficult for his voice to reach those at the top and be taken seriously. However, he wasn't alone anymore. With Elliott on his side now, things were guaranteed to go much smoother.

"In the interest of helping the city and its people, I hope the three of us can work together from now on."

@Haste The One Eyed Bandit

 

[ATurei]

Lily Lavinia

CS Link

SCENE:

Tigers B-side: Takes One To Know One

LOCATION:

East District, 24-Seven

PARTICIPANTS:

Hiachi, Lily

Takes One To Know One

Lily groaned loudly at the prospect of having to pursue her prey. Can’t life just be gracious for once? Can’t she just be lucky for no reason? No matter, or it does matter, who cares. Who cares?

So now she followed the store worker, grumbling curses unintelligible even to herself. As though it was her potential client’s fault that she should wander the city so to put some food in her stomach, some cash in her wet pocket. Out of the store, she circled to the alley in the back. She saw, oh, she saw where that girl fled. But why? She hadn’t done anything, but worry not! soon she would do aplenty, oh soon, pretty soon.

There, hah, there the girl stood, trembling as if she had just seen a ghost. Yet herself she looked a gloomy ghost in that miserable corner of the miserable neighborhood. Are ghosts afraid of other ghosts? Black hair, fair skin – such a dull combination. Then there were the dull eyes to complete the set, how very annoying to the eyes. Almost as annoying as a reflection in the mirror. But the intense hatred, the disgust she had for that look aside, with a better, closer, approach the client seemed everything a fledgling drug trafficker would look for.

Clear contempt writ on her face, Lily strove in. It was dark, of a surety, but that girl’s presence added a pocket of shadow to where she stood, sucking in the light as though in her there was naught but an empty, hungry void, endlessly wanted for aught to fill its vast expenses. And it was a familiar feeling too, reminding Lily of the long dark days in her own unlit apartment, the very one she had seen on chance glimpses into her within. If that thought paused her for more than an instant, it did not keep her long. At once she banished her own misery. After all, that one before her, no matter what must still be in an even worse-off state. And when one sees someone even more pathetic than themselves, or thinks they do, one feels somewhat elated in turn.

So she approached the girl again, repeating the words from earlier, looking but not seeing the other person’s empty eyes, “So, hmm, do you want to have a good time, girlie? I have just the good stuff for just a bit of cash. You have money, right? With a good job and all.” She gestured wildly about the dreadful place, and meant it. Even a dumpster would be an improvement compared to the North District.

miki

 

[thebigfella]

Shishido Takakazu

CS Link

SCENE:

Fighting A Wild Animal Seems Scary Until You Get Hungry

LOCATION:

Central District

TIME:

April 17th, 2022 || Pre-Arc 3

PARTCIPANTS:

Tak, Hiachi, Dante, Tatsu, Eric, Jeanette

INTERACTION:

Dante, Hiachi, Jeanette(?)

Fighting A Wild Animal Seems Scary Until You Get Hungry

Another day in New Oasis had come to pass. Once again, the chaotic turbulence that acted as the equilibrium between the four gangs had not come to bring armageddon, destroying everything in its wake. Instead, the peaceful sounds of harmonious nature are sung underneath the sun and clouds.

The innocent laughing of children went in tandem with the sounds of their tiny feet running across the pavement. Excitement is evident as they rush to the large gateway ahead of their parents. The large metal bars that formed the entryway could have been misconstrued as the entrance into a prison from how high they reached and their sturdiness, but the prominent signage and symbols that adorned its arch clearly identified it, rationalizing the children’s excitement.

A reprieve from the constant threats of the danger of the outer crust, within Central District resided this place for family fun. A place to let people enjoy the beauties of nature worldwide in a safe space. All things could live in peaceful captivity, from exotic plants to endangered animals.

“Come on! Hurry up!” The high-pitched urgency of a little girl accompanied the rough tugging of a boy around the same age, an apprehensive look on his face as he was dragged around, contrasting her excitement.

“Calm down, sis! We should wait for Mom and Dad!” The boy cautioned, feet moving to make sure he didn’t get pulled forward and trip as he was continuously jerked, his shoes skidding against the red pavement as he tried to slow his sibling down.

“But I wanna see Geoffrey the Grizzly!” The girl whined, turning around to look at her brother as she spoke, taking her focus away from the path ahead.

Her rushing was abruptly halted, her body bumping against a black object that sent her tumbling back and nearly losing her balance. Once she had regained her footing, realizing that she had bumped into someone came shortly after.

“Sorry--” She began apologizing, looking upwards at who she had accidentally run into. But her words got clogged in her throat, the innocence draining from her eyes as she froze.

Boring down on her was a figure cloaked in shadow, the shadow cast from the sun’s angle covering his body; the only distinguishable feature was the unkempt hair on the top of his head. However, his features were uncovered as he leaned down, and the gleam shifted. His uneven shave and regrowing stubble, the bloodshot look in his eyes while his pupils trembled.

“Watch where you’re walking, ya damn brat!” He furiously stormed at the poor child, hands in his pockets as he callously berated the elementary schooler.

She looked at him flabbergasted, stuck in shock, until tears began to pool at the corner of her eyes, and she sniffled.

“WAHHHHHHHH!”

Bringing her hands up to her eyes, she wailed as she turned tail and ran, leaving her confused brother behind as she fled. “W-Wait, sis!” He stammered out, running to follow her.


“Tch!” Tak loudly clicked his teeth, turning away from the scene he caused as he walked ahead, head held backward as he disgruntledly looked toward the sky. “Why do people even need to come to the zoo? There are already enough wild animals out in the streets as it is! You can find some hairy apes by looking under a bridge! There are fat pigs on the top floor of every high-rise building!” He openly complained about his detestation of the zoo yet continued walking towards the large metal gates of entry as if he had no choice.

The only reason he was here at all was because of those damn sweepstakes!






It was only a few days ago when a call came in the morning to disrupt him from sleeping well past sunrise, the ringing of his phone causing his body to shift from its slumped overlaying on the couch to twist around, reaching to the table to snatch his phone off it.

He brought it up to the side of his head, scratching over his white shirt to hit the itch on his stomach as his bleary eyes looked toward the chipping paint on his ceiling.

“Who the hell is it… it’s 2 in the afternoon, damnit, some people are trying to sleep off a hangover….” He weakly grumbled about his rest being disturbed; the only thing keeping him from yelling was the headache he was experiencing.

“Hello! This is MC Kriss Kross from BCC at the Point! You’re the guy who called in last week callin’ yourself “T. Bittles,” right?”

The voice on the other side of the phone made Tak’s eyes light up, pupils going wide as he hopped up from the couch, standing on top of it.

“K-KRISS KROSS?! REALLY!?” He shouted into the phone, bringing it in front of his face. “If you’re calling, does that mean…!?”

“Yep! You’re one of our sweepstakes winners!”

“YEAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!”

Tak hopped off the couch in celebration, shaking his apartment as he landed and raised a hand up in the air.

“THAT MONEY IS ALL MINE! FINALLY, I CAN MOVE OUT OF THIS SHITTY APARTMENT AND--”

“You won 3rd place!”

Tak’s excitement froze cold, his pupils dilating as he stopped in place.

“...huh?”

Awkwardly, he let his hand drop back down to his side, and calmly placed the phone next to his ear again.

“...What is the third place prize, again?”






“TICKETS TO THE ZOO!? WHO THE HELL WOULD WANT SOMETHING LIKE THAT?!!” Tak’s fury brought the time back to the present, where he was currently slamming his foot into an innocent trash can, knocking it back and forth like a combo.

He slammed his foot onto the ground as he stopped, the corner of his lip twitching as he closed his eyes, scowling.

“To make matters worse, he gave me three of them, so I had to use the other two and bring them along too…!” He lamented the situation, thinking about the extra pair he had chosen as his tagalongs.

Roda the Red Sei Shonagon AriAriAbabwa miki Haze-

 

[BriiAngelic]

Jackson Reese Alessi

CS Link

SCENE:

What

LOCATION:

ENP, East District

DATE:

??? || Pre-Arc 1

PARTICIPANTS:

Jackson, Devin ( Misuteeku )

What

Sex always opened people up, in the mess of emotions left behind by the release of chemicals even the most guarded of secrets could be laid bare. Stories began to get dreadfully similar once you’d heard enough problems. Everyone had their own beast they faced when they closed their eyes at the end of the day. Even just letting it sit out in the open could help manage it.

He reached a hand out to run through Devin’s hair, trying to be a grounding presence, while his other pushed onto the bed to adjust into a relaxed reclining position. He gave a nod beckoning to go on as the other seemed to decide if he wanted to let any of his burdens’s out. As the other spoke he listened humming lightly.

“Wanting affection… its a very universal feeling.”

He didn’t know much of the circumstances of Devin’s sister’s sickness but he’d known what it was like to give up things to devote to the care of others. His expression fell as he heard the other begin to speak of the routine of it all.

“Another day of service? I suppose to some they treat it like that. I’ll letcha in on a secret, feeling special is what I get out of this too. I like sex. It's fun, you get to fill yourself with pleasure, and for that moment you’re the only thing on someone’s mind.”

He stopped for a moment feeling an echo of the same sentiment he himself felt when he dived into his first time. Without meaning to his expressions soured.

“You’re not an idiot. Though if you do consider yourself one then I suppose I am too. I stumbled my way into a brothel for my first as well. In case it wasn’t obvious I didn’t exactly come into the business knowing what I was doing. My first time I thought well I’m frustrated, lonely, and desperate for any physical affection so why the hell not? I was sixteen and stupid.”

He paused wondering if it would be any point in sharing, not many came to a brothel to listen to other people's problems. Still, if it was affection he came here looking for then it might well help him deal with his own issues.

“I went to the shadiest place on the block pretending I was older than I was. Of course, I was seen through instantly, got laughed at through my whole first time. If that wasn’t the cherry on top she told me that I’d make a half-decent worker and that they were needing another more… fitting to their clientele’s tastes. For a while it gave me cash and attention so it was enough between the other shit life had for me. Eventually, some shit went down and I wound up leaving. Meirin was kind enough to let me work with flexibility for my work for the Dragons.”

 

[Misuteeku]

Devin Cena

http://

CS Link

SCENE:

What

LOCATION:

ENP, East District

TIME:

Pre-Arc 1

PARTICIPANTS:

Devin, Jackson

What

Song's hand felt nice as it brushed against his brown scalp. Similarly to what the prostitute did before, but potentially not on purpose, Devin his head towards Song's touch. Though much to his surprise, Song had a response to his burdensome answer. "Universal feeling?" Devin muttered to himself. He'd prefer if he didn't need useless expectations nor that prickling feeling resting in the godforsaken corner of his mind.

Though now Song was telling his own story. Was it to show that, to some degree, the prostitute sympathized with him? He felt a rapport with Song over the meaning behind their entanglement. However, a frown continued to grow as Song retold his story to him. "I see..." Hearing someone else's story made him feel doubtful of his own. That his problems were minuscule in comparison to everybody else, though if he'd told that to Song, he'd probably say something along the lines of, 'Your worries aren't trivialized by the worries of others.' or something like that.

"That's terrible..." Was all Devin could say to Song's past, much to the rookie's embarrassment. He wasn't like Song, where he could find the necessary words to comfort someone else. Song could probably see it written all over his face that he didn't know what to say either. Though to make it up for the lack of words, he could make it up for actions.

A brief scent of lavender filled the room as Devin inched closer to Song. Opening his arms wide, he asked Song, "In that case, do you want a hug? If not for yourself, can you hug for me?" A dark red grazed over his cheeks. It was a familiar request that his sister often asked him. A request that both filled him with affection and hatred at the same time. However, this embrace would only have Song in mind.

BriiAngelic

 

[WhiskeyMarten]

TAR

CS Link

SCENE:

I Prefer Water

LOCATION:

North District, Mysterious Black Site

TIME:

Post Arc-3 | Chapter 1

PARTICIPANTS:

Bash, Sang-Cheol, Teddie

I PREFER WATER

“Kehehehehe… Okay!” Teddie brushed off Sang-Cheol’s threat with a laugh before peering over to Bash, his expression went serious as he nodded. “Whatever you say, whatever you say.” He didn’t seem all too concerned at the sight in front of them, but he nodded in agreement with Bash’s observation.

“There should be. What a shame, what a shame.”

He sniffed the air, though any scent in the air would have to be bullet-proof to pervade Teddie’s nose, given the overpowering scent of tar that followed him everywhere. It wasn’t even apparent what he was sniffing for, though he did crouch down next to the stains littering the floor, giving each a good long look. At the sound of the trapdoor opening, they marched over, grinning, though he was far from happy.

“It’s Tar, but whatever you say.” It seemed he was resisting the urge to call Bash the Queen, “And if we don’t get him back? Though I know what my preference is…” His chest heaved with muffled laughter, “We’ll get him back.” He followed the others down, embracing the darkness. “We’ll make up for their failures.”