tabularasa_rp | [Open] This Is What Happens After a Month of Sleeping...

[It was bad enough to have one onlooker however the din was drawing an entire audience of spectators. This couldn't get much worse for someone who preferred to keep a tight hold on the image he projected. Still, the pain was paramount, and he couldn't simply ignore it like he desired. First, there was one hand on his shoulder, then the other shoulder coupled with concerned inquiries and additional threats.

No, Rinoa, he was definitely not ok

He shifted slightly as if to force himself back to his feet, but a sharp intake of breath and an additional wave of nausea prevented the follow through. Great. Just. Great. Kaiba would have liked nothing better than to lunge at the new arrival and seek his vengeance right now like a feral creature but that wasn't happening. Yet.

The third female to arrive, he recognizes too however there's something different about her tone. Usually she seemed quiet, semi-shy but this was as if she'd traded personalities with someone who exuded authority. It almost reminded him of the peculiar shift that could sweep over his rival who was mercifully not here. Yugi, didn't need to see this. Also he was just as likely to display concern then start preaching to him about he brought this all on himself- and that was the last thing Kaiba needed now as he crouched there vulnerable and mentally begging for an ice pack...]

He... nrgh..... [The first attempt to speak allowed a groan of discomfort to escape his lips and the words wouldn't form to his liking. So much for answering what the hell is going on out here.]

[Then as if it wasn't chaotic enough already, a dragon appeared out of no where- this one he recognized from the nightmare. The nightmare continues, he mused to himself as the professor reprimanded the pair of them as if they were delinquents from school. At least it was short so he didn't have to endure it long. It was his transgressor that finally helped him remember how to shout. The agitation the other was displaying would have been more amusing if Kaiba was not in this current position, however he was speaking falsely... in the brunette's oh so humble opinion.]

LIKE HELL I DID!

[Oh- well look who had been moved to start flinging mild-version curse words now? After he had chided the other boy for using them earlier. There was something else he was more concerned with however- shakily he extended an arm to point in Blue's general direction, or where he used to be standing if he'd decided to retreat by this point.]

I.. want that recording... erased.. now.

[Totally chucking a certain otherworldy grandson under the bus? You bet. Maybe he should have listened to the older man and given a clearer account of the incident, but he was not letting that device go untampered with if he could help it. The look that flashed in his eyes looking every bit as deadly as the lightning striking outside.]

"I said that's enough! Both of you!" No, Kaiba, delinquents are exactly what the two of you are acting like. At least Dragonite is standing between them, keeping this from escalating to physical blows again. Good luck getting past that wall of dragon.

"This fight is over, understand? I won't let it continue. Now, I'll be happy to hear your side of the story -- once you calm down and start controlling your tone of voice. Shouting like this isn't helping!" Stern as he is, Sam is at least setting a good example; his tone is commanding, yes, but at least he's keeping his volume to a normal level.

He steps between the two as well, arms outstretched like Dragonite's -- putting his own skin on the line. Do you really want to go through the cute harmless grandpa (and his dragon, don't forget the dragon) to get to your opponent?

(Legion was outside when they collapsed into sleep, and it takes some time to get back to the Merlaut, at which point they're greeted by ...this.

They chatter to themselves about the unnecessary behaviors of organics. They are totally unimpressed by this spectacle.)

Kaiba-Seto. Blue. Others. This is both unproductive and unnecessary.

(They move to join Oak and the unfamiliar Dragonite, standing between the opponents. They give a brief nod of respect to the both of them.)

Additionally, it is disruptive to those trying to recuperate.

Bowser has been watching the spectacle from his own apartment door, with a Smeargle/Moomba beside him. Initially he'd intented to set out to find out if the dream was real. Now, however, he's simply watching the spectacle unfold before him.

Designs of lightning bolts and clocks have been painted over Bowser's face and shell, painted in black by the Smeargle behind him. For now he's only had time to wipe the paint off his face with his hands. He'll have to clean more thoroughly later.

Until now he's quietly observing the fight. However, Legion and Samuel's most recent actions have prompted Bowser to actually decide to get involved.

"Hold on. If these people wanna fight, why shouldn't we let them? This is between them, not the rest of you." This fight has been one of the most entertaining things Bowser's seen in the void so far, he can't just let it end like this, even if a rather intimidating robot and a man with a dragon are working to make sure it does.

(They chatter.)

Bowser-King. If an altercation is necessary it should be taken outside.

We do not believe it is necessary: Kaiba-Seto is prone to needlessly antagonizing others.

(It's probably over something stupid.)

"We all have to live together in this little world, and we won't get anywhere or achieve anything unless we can work together. We can disagree, and a little disagreement is a good, healthy thing. But letting those disagreements escalate to physical violence destroys our spirit of cooperation, and is not a precedent we want to allow."

He can't believe he has to explain this. At least he's getting support in trying to keep the peace. He and Dragonite continue to stand firm in their positions between the two opponents, arms still outstretched. If anyone wants to start fighting again, he'll be there in the thick of it, trying to stop it.

Edited 2020-11-09 21:17 (UTC)

[Fan girls? Dragons? Old men? Robots? Giant turtle beasts covered in paint? Iwa let’s out an incredulous laugh, then another, then another until he’s sitting there cackling like he’s absolutely lost it.]

This...this is nuts! You’re all fucking nuts!

This is the stupidest goddamn dream I’ve ever had in my life!

[The laughter is gone, the glare is back. He’s not going to try to push past the dragon, Sam, or the fucking robot that just showed up, but he’s not about to sit around and take this anymore either.]

This is bullshit. Let me through. I just want to go home.

[He throws up his hand to point at a door behind them - 209. That’s the apartment he’d been exploring before. Empty, safe, with a door that locks from the inside.]

You guys can keep sucking this asshole’s dick as long as you want, but I ain’t sitting around to watch it anymore.

What's going on here...?

[ Turing had been dozing in their apartment, which they were still a little put off about needing to do in the first place, and upon hearing all the commotion they had gone up to check it out. Merlaut Apartments was also partly Alys' apartment in a way, so they felt a little responsible for the building as a whole even if no one had given them that job.

Of course, if someone didn't think to look down to see the little robot there, they might be a little thrown off by hearing a voice from seemingly nowhere. ]

[ Honestly, it's a good thing Yoshizawa shows up when she does. The touch to her arm is like a soothing balm, the calm to the storm that's building up within her. Ann's quiet for a few moments, especially so after Oak shows up. Finally, a voice of reason. It's going to be fine now, she thinks. Well. Thought. She thought.

Unfortunately, more people have shown up. Blue's ducked back into his apartment, a smart move, honestly, but they're gaining quite a crowd. Seto tries to move, and she gently moves her hand to lightly rub his back, in an attempt to soothe him. But he's angry, and rightfully so; Ann knows how Seto is, she's been in arguments with him several times over, too. But really, no one deserves this. Whatever... this is. She's still not entirely sure what happened to cause him to be in so much pain. ]

...What recording? [ She's right back in frown-town at the mention of a video. Giving Seto's shoulder a gentle squeeze, she glances up as Bowser arrives, and then... she's never met the robot man, but he does have that frown deepening. ] Hey! Yeah, Seto-kun can be kinda mean sometimes, but that doesn't give anyone the right to put their hands on him!

[ It's a real shame that Turing shows up when he does, because this newbie has made a big mistake by running his mouth again. The blond visibly bristles when the sucking of proverbial dicks is mentioned, and it is at this point that Ann Takamaki has decided that she has had enough. Her hand drops from Seto's shoulder and she pushes herself up to her feet, her small hands balling into fists. ]

You know what's bullshit? Your shitty attitude! You have no idea what we've been through this last month or however long it's been, because you just got here and you act like you own this place already. I don't care what Seto-kun said to you. The fact of the matter is that he's the one on the floor, which means that it escalated from verbal to physical. And as far as I can see, you're the one who assaulted him. You're loud, you're rude, you're obnoxious, and now? I'm going to whoop your ass!

[ That's it. That's the only warning everyone in attendance is going to get -- poor Professor Oak and Dragonite are in her way, but they're no match for a Phantom Thief. She's quick, the way she darts forward and ducks under their extended arms, sliding down across the floor and springing back up to lunge at poor Iwa, throwing her body weight -- all 110 pounds of it -- at him as hard as she can with every intention of attempting to drag him to the ground.

If this happens... someone might want to try and start pulling her off of him, because she's going to start trying to wail on him with her fists.... ]

[When his call for ~~Blue's blood~~ the recording to be confiscated initially went unheeded, Kaiba renewed his efforts to regain his feet. Eyebrows knitting tightly, he balled a fist digging his nails into his palm until he left crescent-shaped imprints. Normally, he would have pulled away from the attempts to console him immediately but circumstances being what they were he tolerated it. Ann pushed the bounds further, much to his surprise. It was perfectly innocent but so, so foreign.]

Oh, this is far from over [He spat, before he could stop himself. Surveying the room coolly, he mentally ran a damage assessment of what would happen if he proceeded to act now, and further fed into this travesty. Although he wanted to rearrange the jock's face, that would likely mean losing the meager support he currently possessed. That coupled with both Oak, and Legion standing in his way significantly decreased the likelihood of his success. Although he hated to do it, he could bide his time. He would pay this back... tenfold.

Still seeing red, he managed to relax his fist, flexing his fingers to get the kinks out. Raising his head high into the air, he tried to resume a sense of superiority and dignity.. from his position this isn't easy to achieve. Perception was everything. No matter that a portion of his anatomy might still be throbbing from the encounter, he would try... TRY to brush it off. He also didn't want to go through the old man to get to his assailant, assuming he could have pulled it off before the dragon and robot ganged up on him.

He even managed a tight smirk when Bowser offered his opinions on the subject. The lizard was right, this was no one else's business- however Kaiba didn't want to be a spectacle for the others. At least, not like this.

Prone to needlessly antagonizing others. That got the brunette to shoot Legion a disapproving look. Despite the validity and accuracy of the statement, the boy didn't want to hear it. The additional cooperation speech isn't much better.]

...

[He bit back saying tell someone who cares.. and before he can reconsider and say it anyway, volleyball-boy loses his mind, what little there was of it to begin with. The laughter is an assault to the ears and what he ends up saying is equally offensive.]

He's clearly unhinged- see what I had to deal with?

[Then.. oh great. TURING. More individuals adding to the peanut gallery.]

A three-ring circus.. what does it look like?

[So much for trying to suppress his haughty demeanor. Still, he hopes that Iwa will leave, then he can be the only one to relay an account of what transpired, and he can twist the narrative. Not that it's necessary, but it would be satisfying on some small level. Go on, newb. Run. After Ann stands up herself and begins her tirade, he makes a considerable sacrifice on his part by finally forcing himself to stand. He expelled another undignified groan, that was likely masked by the heated discourse.

He's in no position to stop her, when she bolts forward- not that he's sure he wants to. Shock flashes over his features, and he's left standing there dumbfounded as he like some of the others are left watching the fireworks.]

"Wh -- NO!" What did he just say? What did he JUST say!? Sam's not just going to stand there as she pummels a possibly (probably?) innocent man, so he and Dragonite act as one, launching themselves at her as well. Oh, sure, her wrath is probably going to be directed at him in a second, especially if he accidentally grabs a breast or the like in his attempt to restrain her, but he's not worried about that at the moment.

Even if 143 pounds of a man who spends literally half his waking hours doing farm work isn't enough to pull her away, Dragonite is. Together they drag her to the ground, where Dragonite keeps her pinned as Sam backs off.

"Why do you think I wanted everyone's account before jumping to conclusions!? He might have been defending himself for all you know!" Even if the fight had obviously previously come to blows, they'd managed to talk at least one of them down... until she had to go and escalate things to violence again.

Edited 2020-11-10 04:52 (UTC)

There has been a physical altercation. Recommend vacating area, as further violence is likely to-

(Ann catches them by surprise with her sudden rant, and they cease their warning to Turing. She is able to bypass their attempts to block near effortlessly, and their little lights flash red as she attempts to tackle the kid to the ground.

The rush to join Oak and Dragonite.)

Perhaps it is you who does not "know what it is like" when Kaiba Seto takes his willful antagonism to excessive lengths. (He threatened their ally. They haven't forgotten.) We have no interest in seeing him damaged, but he was warned of this potential outcome.

(It's the worst thing to say, probably, but honestly, they are so done with this crap.)

Edited 2020-11-10 05:33 (UTC)

[ She's not met the older man before, but when he comes in, for a moment Yoshizawa thinks that the whole thing is going to be resolved and done with. First, he is someone who commands respect by virtue of being an elder, but he also has it naturally in his voice, not to mention the actual dragon acting as his support.

(She has so many questions.)

Of course, apparently Ann doesn't share the same line of thought - just when things seem to be calming down, her senpai launches herself across at the young man - and promptly finds herself grabbed and pinned by the dragon creature.

This... isn't good. The Phantom Thieves aren't particularly well-known for their relationship with adults anyway, and Ann's temper has already gotten the best of her once today. The girl takes a deep breath, considering the situation in front of her for a moment before she whirls around to rush up the stairs.

If she had Ella, things might be different, but as it is... ]

Senpai!

[ She doesn't knock, just bursts into Ren's apartment, the air of panic making her alert enough that she's like a small beacon in the dark of the room. ]

There's people fighting downstairs, and Takamaki-senpai joined in, and I'm not sure how to make it stop...

(When Yoshizawa arrives, it's a scene that contrasts the brawl happening downstairs. Ren is peacefully asleep, arms on the desk and what seemed to be a molotov cocktail on the making pushed aside to create space - Akechi still in comatose in the bed behind him, the room in its entirety dark and somber due to how night works, only barely lit by her presence now. When she barges in and wakes him up, he barely processes it, but he rises to his feet immediately, adrenaline already punching his brain into activity. Fuckfuckfuckfuck--)

... Stay with him. (He pleads before he grabs Akechi's sword and the holster he uses to strap it to his back, just to be ready, and well, judging by Yoshizawa's panic, it may very well be needed. Last time there was a fight in the Void, to his knowledge, Akechi ended up with a hole in his shoulder, so who knows just what is happening down there? Nevermind that he doesn't know how to wield it, but all Ren has is his knife. Knives are supposed to close distances, and they aggravate more than intimidate. This red-bladed, jagged sword on the other hand? He can use to put distance between parties in case needed, even if he doesn't intend to actually use it. Listen, he doesn't even know what's going on yet.

He rushes downstairs, only to see a Dragonite and a senior citizen holding his best friend to the ground. The weapon is unnecessary, clearly, so it sits between his shoulder blades untouched. Seen that she's the only one being held down, he can easily assume she is the immediate issue at hand. What the fuck did you do, Ann?)

Let her go, please. I got her from here. (And oh, dear. This is not the Ren most people are used to, softspoken and gentle - it's much more like the masked man some have met in Mementos, an intense and imposing figure. Problem-solving. Needless to say, Ann is in trouble.)

What happened to "unanimous decision"?

[ Rinoa is halfway on her decision; does she stay put, she wonders to herself, or does she move forward to join Professor Oak, his dragon, and the robot she doesn't know to put space between the antagonists of this situation while they try to work out what's going on? She's just about ready to move and join them when Ann moves in a blur away from Kaiba's side, and her eyes widen as she watches the tackle and the immediately-ensuing pinning of Ann to the ground. ]

Professor—

[ But she's not sure what to say. Right now, all she wants is her powers; with them, she could force everyone away from each other and calm the situation down within moments. As it is, without them, all she can do is stare, feeling helpless and confused. She barely even notices the girl sprint away - but she does notice when Ren approaches a few minutes later, stern and much more like the self she met in the nightmare than the Ren she's used to seeing around the Void. ]

I'm not completely sure what happened, but Seto and— [ She frowns, gesturing at Iwa. She doesn't know his name yet. ] —This man here, they're having some kind of fight. People have been cheering, and arguing, and some, like the Professor, have been trying to stop it, you know?

...Anyway, this man said something kinda rude, and then Ann jumped in...

[ To be fair, "kinda rude" is an understatement. She's not impressed at all with what the newcomer said. But she gets it, too. He feels ganged up on, right? Plus, he's definitely new, so... All added together, it has to be overwhelming. ]

Edited 2020-11-10 14:59 (UTC)

[Just when Iwa thought things couldn’t possibly get more batshit, he is being positively lunged at by one of Gamer Boy’s rabid fan girls.]

What the fu—- AGH!

[He hits the ground with a loud (and painful) thump, though he’s not so easily pinned - but just what the hell is he supposed to do here?! It’s not like he can wail on a girl the way she’s about to wail on him! He’s about to have to resign himself to taking a punch or two - luckily for him, Sam and the Dragonite manage to pull her off of him before he gets a black eye.

[He springs up from the ground with no issue (unlike some people - that pained groan was music to his ears, Kaiba), then stands there with his fists balled up at his sides for a long moment.

[There’s anger rising up within him again - or is it something else? It’s embarrassing the way his voice suddenly cracks when he shouts:]

What the hell don’t you people understand?! I just want to go home!

[Home. He isn’t talking about apartment 209. That’s probably obvious. He curses himself for allowing himself to even approach emotional right now.]

The asshole grabbed me so I fought back, okay? I don’t give a single shit what any of you think, JUST LET ME GO AND LEAVE ME THE HELL ALONE! PLEASE!

[Ann manages to tackle volleyball dork with the cat-like grace she displayed in the nightmares, so it would have been difficult not to have been impressed. The resulting retaliation from onlookers was over the line in Kaiba's opinion. An old man, dragon, robot, and fetcher-of-coffee needn't have all ganged up on her at once.

Gee, thanks Legion. With friends like you, enemies need not apply. Though that dig he more or less shook off, mostly because there was enough going down already, and at least there was some indication that Legion wouldn't like to see him harmed.

When the red-haired girl takes off down the corridor, Kaiba doesn't take it to be a positive sign. Unsurprisingly she makes it worse by drawing in the barista. Ren's darker tone and his fixation on Ann is offputting somehow. This unanimous decision stuff is garbage. There are times and events that transpire too quickly to seek council from their little group, and she's an individual with a mind of her own.

He allowed Rinoa to explain matters up until the point that Iwa started pointing the blame again. It had been satisfying to see him knocked clean on the ground and off his feet again, even if the damage was minimal.]

You want to go home.. and cry to your mommy? Pathetic.

[Twisting the words to suit]

You complained that I was in the way but you wouldn't move so I could get around you. So I remedied that, and nothing further would have resulted from it had you just continued out the door, and out of my life.

[See, it's clearly Iwa's fault.

Clearly.

~~No one is buying Kaiba's innocence, are they?~~.

Taking a step forward he glanced around at the room, and realized that they might take this motion as a sign of further aggression.]

Relax.. he's not worth anymore of my time. [Today, anyway. Revenge would be served up later. He tried to move closer to where Ann was being pinned, giving the wouldbe defenders appraising looks.] .. Overkill much? Release her- it's done with.

[Nice bait, Kaiba, but Iwa’s too exhausted to take it. His voice is quiet now - quieter anyway - and he says:]

It’s done with. [He stoops down to grab his volleyball off the ground, stuffs it back in his gym bag, and nods toward the door of 209.] Let me go.

(When told to back off, to let her go, they do.

The lights on their head are still flashing red, however.)

Your desires are not unique. (They shoot back at Iwa when he says he wants to go home. Does he think the others don't feel the same?) Home has been taken from us. (Save it for someone who cares, because organics sure didn't when they decided to murder their people.

...Apparently even the Geth aren't immune to foul moods.)

(A part of them notices that Kaiba seems intent on protecting Ann, just as she was intent on protecting him.)

Error: Kaiba-Seto is also capable of moving out of the way. This disruption was entirely unnecessary.

[ It's over and done with quick enough -- she doesn't even get a chance, fortunately, to at least smack poor Iwa, because the poor old man and his dragon creature are on it, and so is the robot. She grunts as she's dragged off and down to the floor, but she doesn't fight back or resist. If this were anyone else, she'd have tried to at least flip someone across the room. But it's not, the Professor hasn't done anything wrong, neither has his... that's a Pokemon, she thinks. If her time with Blue has taught her anything, that thing is definitely a Pokemon. And neither has the robot -- they're just trying to make sure no one else gets hurt. So, she can't fault them for that.

She huffs, because she does think this is a little overkill, but she keeps her comment to herself. That is, until Legion speaks. ]

Excuse you? You think I haven't fallen victim to his comments before? Wow, okay. Guess that makes me special, huh? Wrong, dude. But I'm not about to go and kick him to the ground just because he says something I don't like. And we've grown from that drama, thanks.

[ Read: she doesn't appreciate your 'wisdom' on this, either, Legion. Her gaze snaps back to Iwa, and though she bristles and stiffens under the hold that Legion and Dragonite have on her, she doesn't go further than that. ]

Listen, you're stuck here just the same as the rest of us! This has been a really shitty however long it's been, and--

[ Oh, there goes Yoshizawa and here comes Ren, moments later. Great. This is not what she needed right now, either... but between Ren and Seto, she's set free. She immediately pushes herself up off of the floor and makes her way back over to Seto's side, pointedly not looking in Ren's direction. ]

This has nothing to do with unanimous decision, Ren. This has to do with protecting someone I care about. You don't think I'd have done the same for you or the others?

[ It's not a lie, even if her actions were a little... much. And maybe, just maybe, she cares about Seto a little too much, too. But that's a subject to touch on at a later time, probably. ]

...Are you okay? [ This, at least, is directed back up at Seto. ]

Have those comments included threats to allies?

(It's more a question than anything they aren't really into this argument anymore.)

He is important to you.

(Their headflaps ripple.)

We are also uninterested in continuing this altercation.

(Unless stopped, they're going to leave.)

If combat is necessary, recommend recreational sparring in a non disruptive area.

[The girl’s comments sting - screw him for being a little shaken up, right? But he wasn’t lying when he said he didn’t care what they thought of him. He’s never been that guy. He waits until the commotion clears up a little, then makes his exit before he has to hear anymore from her, Kaiba, or anyone else.

[The second a clear (or mostly clear) path opens up to 209, he’s walking in, slamming the door shut, and locking the deadbolt.]

[Noticing how the other combatant has lost his fire gives Kaiba a small sense of enjoyment. Not enough to make up for what has transpired, but it's a start. Being able to maintain his composure better than his opponent is an advantage. He'll fully utilize that just as Iwa took advantage of the opportunities he was granted]

[Giving an exasperated huff from listening to the conversation between Ann and Legion, he presses his face into one palm, before removing said hand to stare at the robot]

Are you ever going to let that drop? The statement is inaccurate besides. At the time, Turing likely wasn't your ally, nor were you and I all that well acquainted. It wasn't as if I could take those later connections into consideration.

[It was day one. Kind of like today was Iwa's initiation to the void, but screw him.

He was prepared to let the matter drop entirely after saying his peace, and move on to another subject however a peculiar thing followed. Protecting someone I care about & He's important to you. Looking a little flustered for a brief interim, he coughed and looked aside. They could hash it out on their own without his input. The less he said the better.

A moment later he noticed that Ann was looking up at him waiting for an answer. What had the question been? OH... right]

I'm fine. [It was mostly his pride that was injured. ~~Or so he would have everyone believe.~~ He was well trained in donning whatever metaphorical mask he needed at the time] Show's over.

"Dragonite will let her go once she promises not to continue escalating this," Sam states to Ren, crossing his arms in annoyance. He shoots Kaiba a dirty look -- if he were a less polite or less peaceful man, it would be far, far more than just a dirty look.

"Seto. That commentary isn't necessary nor helpful." His fingers twitch against his arm as even he's tempted to pop Kaiba for such sheer mean-spiritedness. He wanted to just say 'shut up', but that wouldn't help anything either. "You're not the only one that matters. If you don't learn that, then someday you're going to pick a fight with someone or something much more dangerous than this young man, and when that day comes, we won't be able to help you."

He sighs as he finishes scolding Seto, shifting gears into the next topic.

"I've got some pens and paper in my room. I'd like to get a written account of what happened here from you two," gesturing to the two fighters, "once you've had a chance to sort out your feelings a bit. Preferably before too long, so the memory is still fresh." Putting their stories in the form of writing means that neither of them have to worry about getting interrupted, or their feelings interfering with their ability to communicate.

"Hold on, old man," Bowser says, now deciding once again to participate. "Who put you in charge of this?" Not that it's in anyone's best interest to stop Oak.

"Besides, what about what other people saw? You think these two are going to give you the full picture of what happened? There's about ten other people who were involved in this. Some of them might have some information that's useful."

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