yogen | ( OPEN. ) FIRST FIGHT.

Entry tags:

( OPEN. ) FIRST FIGHT.

Who: itto + whoever will give him the time of day...
What: big bad scary looking oni proves to be golden retriever ( arrival + catchall )
Where: various places
When: late january into february
Warnings: absolutely not

I. STAND OFF ( VENDING MACHINE. )

_{[ Itto couldn't really recall what had happened when he regained consciousness, but he ended up with a neat rock on his person which is now kept in his uniform pocket. He had first woken on the soccer field, and, after trying to break up a fight amongst people playing roughly, decided to head to his locker. From then henceforth, Itto has mainly been observant of the area, but attending classes with utmost energy despite whatever confusing thoughts fill his head.

One day, though, he could have sworn something was just particularly weird about the vending machines ever since Akira had trouble with them. They were just machines that gave items, right? It seems kind of.. foreign to him lately, as if he wasn't sure what their real purpose was. Totally weird. Now that he thinks about it, there's a lot of stuff that just feels foreign to him. Did he always go to school here? Did he always go to school at all? Did he actually belong here or somewhere else? It didn't matter. He had a bone to pick with this particular vending machine.

Itto jabs his thumb under his nostrils and flexes his hands together to make fists: ]}

So, we meet again, huh..
Have you been disrespecting others still?
_{Man.. it's cold here. Has it always been so cold here?..} Ugh, never mind. Listen! You've got some audacity not treatin' others fair, you know that?

_{[ yeah he's talking to it.... don't worry about it.. ]}

II. LET ME SHOW YOU MY BEETLES ( MEN'S BATHROOM. )

_{[ So you're using the urinal and there are plenty of other urinals between you and Itto, but for whatever reason, he's picking the one right next to you to use. What could someone want being this close to someone else in the bathroom? ]}

Hey, did you know.. rhinoceros beetles can grow up to 15 centimeters. They're the one of the largest kind! If you see'em on a tree, usually they're lookin' for sap to eat!

_{[ look at this guy.. still remaining optimistic.. ]}

_{[ ooc: if you'd like a closed prompt or anything else, let me know! ]}

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Yep... Are you going to buy something or not?

( the vending machine replies, a soft voice, a little too gentle to be making demands, but it's getting straight to the point with someone standing right in front of it. if itto looks around, he'll see that no one is nearby, or around the corner, and not even near the the bathroom stall. just a voice coming from an unknown area that seems to belong to the machine before him that thrums softly, keeping everything inside cool.

what one can find in this particular vending machine is beverages, snacks, and even jars of beetles which i thought was very important to note. )

You can stand there all day, but you'll get tired... so it's best to turn away.

( a vending machine stands on it's bottom forever, but some guy komaeda has never seen? well, time to test him and see how long he can do so. it's fine, he's in a pretty good hiding spot, so as long as itto doesn't think about removing the ceiling tile above to make komaeda drop out on top of him during this funny little game, this should be an interesting conversation. )

Whuh..

_{[ Komaeda picked a good one to prank. Itto is full of heart but dumb of ass so he falls right into the scheme, looking left to right and even dips his head down between his legs to peek behind him (and upside down) as well. He rises to his level posture and looks to the vending machine again, stepping forward, eyes darting up and down that glass surface. Lo and behold, he does see a the jars of beetles which he somehow hadn't noticed before and presses his face quite literally against the glass with a gasp. He can identify each one and rattles off their species under his breath before stepping back and barking at the machine. ]}

Oi! You didn't talk to me last time I was here! Why are ya holdin' those beetles captive? Let'em go!

_{[ yeah. He doesn't even question that this could be someone else talking to him. Nope. ]}

Edited 2022-02-03 04:31 (UTC)

...

( oh, this is a good one.

komaeda remains silent, peeking through the ceiling tile before setting it down properly from seeing the enthusiasm his company has about the beetles inside? the way he pressed himself against the glass is telling, and komaeda has to make sure not to laugh at him since he's so passionate about them in general. he should have been here when thirty of them were released into a classroom. rather than running in and out, he finds that this person probably would have appreciated it. )

Hm...? You didn't acknowledge me when I first spoke, so I decided not to try anymore. Sigh, it's hard being a hunk of metal.

( disappointed is how the "vending machine" sounds, but he continues in a chipper tone. )

Nope! People get a stomach filled with butterflies, but I have beetles. Are you trying to take away my happiness?

( which sounds cruel, is he really going to hurt a machine like it emotionally? )

_{[ Putting Itto in an atmosphere with many beetles and many "kids" (he calls anyone shorter than him a kid.. so..) is just a recipe for a disaster.. and that disaster being him lecturing them all on the beauty of beetle fighting, followed by teaching them how to beetle-fight, followed by him optimistically losing to all of them cause that's the kind of luck he has. ]}

Kgh. Look here, I don't wanna 'cause trouble or nothin' but.. you've got yourself a good lookin' kabutomushi in there. It's small, so it's youthful and full of energy, which could make for a good champion against an older beetle with less vigor. Sometimes it ain't the size that matters.

Nothing can stop me right now from buying that beetle fair and square, but you should also release the others. Show some mercy.

( he is not talking about beetlefighting, he is not talking about beet— )

Hm... It depends, I'll give you two for free if you manage to fulfill two of my wishes. As you can see, I cannot move on my own.

( so this means that his companion would do better in seeing these wishes out, if it was anyone else, then komaeda would be more inclined to pass. yet, this person started talking to the vending machine, and if having a full blown conversation so this makes it all more interesting.

he clears his throat. )

You'll do this for me, won't you?

_{[ in this tag itto said #fuckcapitalism ]}

Hhhh.. it ain't really free if you're makin' me do some work! I hate workin' for pay!

_{[ He feels his arms settle against his chest as they fold and he's contemplating. He remembers doing a lot of odd jobs back at Inazuma, so helping people out isn't unheard of from him. After all, oni were feared and living among humanity with his oni blood was dangerous. He had to at least be a good testimony of his species.

But also, he's thinking of the children beetles. ]}

Fine. Tell me what ya want. I don't have all day.

( itto don't be like this, what did zhongli teach you.

is it really work? well, free labor is free labor, but at least he doesn't have to spend his merit points. instead, he'll have to spend time and energy to do these two wishes. humming thoughtfully, komaeda rubs his chin in thought as he wonders if he should bring other people into this, or should he spare the other the embarrassment. )

What about the kabutomushi you spoke so highly about, are you no longer wanting to take them home?

( they deserve a good place to live, too, but all through that, he's been thinking about what to say. what could equate to good wishes, he's thinking, he's thinking.

... )

How good are you with people?

_{[ nothing much apparently......
This vending machine really knows how to pull a number on that big, softie heart. ]}

Whoa! I ain't givin' up on'em, don't worry! Geez. You're a real pushy machine. Let's see...

_{[ Ah. The next part out of the vending machines mouth (???) strikes some kind of part of his heart. Was he good with people? Not in the grand scheme of things. Kids? Absolutely. Other outcasts? Surely. But people as a whole..? It could really use some work.

Suddenly, Itto seems a little hesitant, but he just keeps trucking right along. ]}

Eugh.. I mean.. what kinda people are we talkin' about here?

...It comes from my buttons being pushed a lot!

( makes sense, doesn't it? makes pennies, makes dollars, makes mora.

his response, however, isn't as bold as he's been speaking which makes komaeda slightly concerned. he must not be good with people, and so this means he'll have to connect him with others. )

The common, untalented individuals that have nothing going for them, and the scum that lives in the world. I want to see you put hope into these people.

( that's not hard, is it? )

In return, they'll give you a companion as promised without payment.

Whaaa? Like someone who encourages people?

_{[ He's thinking. You really got his brain going here. Hopefully he won't hurt himself. ]}

Wait a sec.. that's kind of a weird request. It almost seems too easy! I love gettin' people all fired up. It's just a matter if they'll listen to me or not! 'Cause..

_{[ Idly, a hand lifts, his fingertips brushing against one of his horns. Looks like that red paint was beginning to chip. ]}

... Well, just 'cause!

_{[ It's a lot more reason than "just cause" but he doesn't feel like opening up to a snack machine, you know. ]}

You got names and faces?

Edited 2022-02-08 03:31 (UTC)

Sou Hiyori.
Kobato Kazamatsuri.
Chiaki Kudo.

( that's a good three names, now as for faces go, he'll rub his chin in thought as he contemplates how to do about that. if he gives faces, then... )

I'm a vending machine, I don't have eyes! I know names, for the first one buys soup, do you understand?

( it's helpful, but would it be helpful enough in order to send itto on this little scavenger hunt? he's not too bothered, all it takes is asking the right people to learn about said person, and with such a positive attitude, that should be easy. with that said, komaeda rubs his chin idly in thought while laying in the crawlspace above, and he tacks on another name. )

Rio Ranger will work as well. Are you up to the challenge?

[head pops out from on top of a stall]

Oh, they shouldn't eat anything from the trees around here!

[pops back down]

Huh?

_{[ WHAT.. THAT WAS A CHILD... OKAY UM.. he's just not going to drop his pants and piss right now because that was a child.. hold your mighty oni pee for a little longer, Itto.. ]}

Hey! Aren't you in the wrong restroom? Or..

_{[ ... ]}

Am.. I in the wrong restroom?

_{[ why are their urinals then... that doesn't occur to him as a clue or anything.. ]}

[echo-y inside-stall voice:] No, you're fine! I didn't even know people actually used these ones for anything but murders.

_{[ mur... murder? ]}

Oi, don't say stuff like that! _{I-It's kinda scary, y'anno?} Surely people just use this place to piss in and stuff!

Right!

_{[ why is this 6 foot tall adult talking like this.. ]}

Right..!? Hey!

_{[ He's coming over and banging his fist on the stall door. ]}

Speakin' of that! If that were true! _{Which it probably isn't} Why would ya be in here all by yourself! I mean, other than the fact it's the restroom... uh.. where I guess you need privacy.. but..

_{[ He's saying that but he's standing right near her door.. at least he folds his arms across his chest and turns his back to the door.

Almost as if he's guarding it from anyone else. Hmph. ]}

Aw, don't be scared! Murders only happen when you're all alone; as long as you're with me, you won't get murdered!

[see? simple as. and it doesn't matter that he's in front of the door, because she's going out the way she came in: clambering over the stall door and jumping right down next to him.]

And I'm in here because I'm investigating! It's very important. By the way, have you see anything looking kinda wolf-like lately?

_{[ Woah. She's really energetic! Those kinds of kids were always the most fun to play street games with, but whatever tomfoolery that spills out of her mouth is enough to distract him from whatever impressive acrobats she has.

Excuse me..?? ]}

Wait, wait.. back the hell up!!
You're investigating? Like a crime scene?

_{[ Sorry. He got here and missed some important things that happened apparently. ]}

... But you're just a kid!

_{[ Apart of him doesn't believe what she's saying cause?? Well?? Sometimes kids make stuff up and have a big imagination. Clearly that's what's going on.. she just wants to play pretend with him.

Yeah, that has to be it.

Itto steadies his hand on his chin. As someone who spent a lot of his days as a bum with no job and a playmate to bored kids, he naturally gravitates towards them.

He'll play along. ]}

Ah.. like with a big long snout?

It'd be pretty weird to investigate where crimes didn't happen... Actually, this isn't even the bathroom where it happened; I'm just checking all of them.

[she nods, with all the apparent solemn seriousness of a child playing pretend. except. y'know, it's not.]

My friend got eaten by a wolf, or was the wolf, or maybe I'm the wolf... but, anyway, there's a really big wolf and I gotta find where it went before it eats any more arms! [pauses, pointedly looks at his arms] It likes arms.

_{[ Yeah, no. He's now convinced she's just a kid playing pretend! So he'll play along.

Itto splays a hand over his chest in faux surprise. ]}

Not my arms! They're one of the best parts about me! S-So scary! Ah! Ya think it'll get me next? We really gotta stick together, then. I'll help ya out. Maybe it left wolf trails!

That's what I've been looking for! They said the wolf was really big... [shakes head] But, if something that big was in the school, it would've wrecked up the place, right? Especially when it got out. So, it also had to get smaller...

Anyway, that's why I think there's a werewolf! I don't have anything silver to start testing people with, though.

[The boy using the urinal next to him responds with enthusiasm.]

How interesting! I am well aware that they are among the largest beetles and of their sap diet, but I could not recall their overall size. Thank you for refreshing me on the matter! However, I am not sure that this is the appropriate forum for such facts!

_{[ thank you for indulging me gore....
anyway, the pants drop and he'll take a leak next to this other guy.. he's got pointy brows and likes beetles. Obviously a man of culture. ]}

... Why ya say that?

[Anytime...

Ishimaru's just standing there in front door of hid urinal. He can't go while they're talking!]

Well, we are making use of urinals at the moment. Can you really say that it's appropriate to have a discussion at this time and place?

[ Nanami stops along her path, gripping the straps for her backpack as she turns her head to look at the person in front of the vending machine. She blinks slowly, trying to determine the issue. It appears to just be a vending machine. It has, thus far, worked fine for her.

She walks over, tugging at her straps with a thoughtful sound. Still a venting machine. Maybe they just need help? ]

Do you need help using it?

Edited 2022-02-03 15:55 (UTC)

Whuh..

_{[ He's like a whole foot taller than her.. even more so if you count his horns. She's a cute girl! Not like he has any experience talking to cute girls or anything. ]}

Well, yeah! The other day, it cheated another guy out of a snack! I'm just tryin' to settle things up with it. I hate to see someone else disrespected! Though..
If it also cheats you out of havin' a snack, I think I'd have no other choice but to break the glass!

[ It takes a few seconds, but there's a little laugh at that. ]

Mmn, it's okay... There's no need for that If it's acting up, we can just let the faculty know. Maybe they can compensate you?

[ She takes out her PDA, unlocking it before smiling up at Itto. ]

Why don't we give it another try for now?

[ Alice isn't fond of using the bathroom with others about — it's an unpleasant reminder of the constant monitoring in prison. It's inevitable sooner or later, however, though for now, he's only here to comb his hair and wait patiently! He won't approach anyone, for the sake of their privacy, least of all when it sounds like he might have walked in on... Well, what exactly the scene unfolding here might be is difficult to ascertain.

Beetles once more, for one. Could it be a metaphor, and this flashy fellow is propositioning the person beside him? ]

F-Fifteen centimeters... Is that really true...?!

[ It slips out, aghast. What of the vending machine beetles, are such oversized creatures among them?! ]

_{[ Oh. Someone seems interested! Don't mind him settling his attention on Alice. Itto settles his hands on his hips, nodding. ]}

Yeah, a whole fifteen centimeters! Mine isn't that big, but it performs really well anyway.

_{[ ???? ]}

Even if it doesn't always finish.

_{[ Sometimes his favorite beetle wanders away from a fight.. as insects do. ]}

[ The other student who may or may not have been propositioned seizes this opening to finish his business and make his swift escape, leaving Alice and the beetle enthusiast alone in the bathroom, at least for the moment. Ah, said beetle enthusiast has turned around... Still fully clothed, right?!

Alice carefully looks at nothing lower than the stranger's face. Performing and finishing... A pet beetle trained to do tricks, perhaps? But what is this weird talk, if he truly means insects?! ]

Is that so...? How big is yours?

[ Even somewhere around ten centimeters would be an alarming size! ]

_{[ Don't worry, he hasn't used the urinal yet, so he's clothed! (For now.) ]}

Mine? Kahaha.. probably only about half that size, but that's alright! I have faith in it, and that's really what helps it along. It's really youthful! So I think that's what really gives it its spark.

_{[ ]}

Wanna see it sometime?

[ Half that size... So it measures 7.5 centimeters?! That's still rather large!

And yet... And yet, morbid curiosity drives Alice to continue, and declining somehow doesn't feel right, in the face of such excitement. ]

V-Very well...! Show it to me. I'm prepared... to meet your youthful beetle...

[ Naturally, he intends to look from afar, avoiding any direct contact with it! ]

...

[This is ridiculous to watch that it's almost pitiful. Must be new... she lets out a sigh, hands on her waist.]

You know it's not going to answer back or listen, right? It's not a living creature.

Haah?

_{[ Oh. Who is this person? She's tiny in comparison to him! ]}

How do you know? How do you know for sure?

_{[ He remembers machines that were quite lifelike. Also, this one cheated someone out of their snack recently.. he hates it when things aren't fair. ]}

Well, I'm quite a technological expert. There are some machines that have AI, but this one... definitely does not.

Oh yeah? You don't say.

[Childe's reply comes out entirely deadpan, and he doesn't bother glancing away from his own urinal as he's addressed. He's busy, after all, and while he would prefer not to have a conversation over such things, the least he can do is be polite. And not make eye contact until he's done.

Guy code and all that.]

Any particular reason you're bringing this up? [He's a little curious as to the reasoning behind such a conversation starter, if he has to admit. Maybe there's an infestation of beetles here somewhere in the school?]

_{[ As a citizen of the isolated Inazuma, any change of scenery is great. Maybe that's why he's not too perturbed at the school's current state.
Anyway, surely this guy isn't going to use the stall directly next to the other person when there are plenty of others to choose from, right?

Wrong.

The sound of pants unzipping and hitting the ground is heard, followed by.. you know.. everything else after that. ]}

Nope! Not at all.

_{[ I just think they're neat. ]}

Though, if ya ever wanna try your hand at beetlefightin', I'm the guy to talk to! Some people say it's not what you do with it, it's the size that counts.. but I beg to differ.

_{[ why are you saying this with your wang out... childe did nothing wrong to deserve th— well, maybe he does deserve it. ]}

[Unfortunately he deserves a lot worse, if we’re being honest here.

Childe is quiet, mostly content to let this guy fill the silence while he himself commences with the patented shake and zip technique. It’s probably easier to not engage, after all. Just say as little as possible until slipping away into the shadows is a viable option.

He’s just stepping away to go and wash his hands when Itto says the magic F word, and suddenly Childe’s attention is wrenched back out of the escape planning and into the topic at hand.

Beetlefighting, huh?

He takes a moment to size Itto up in the mirror’s reflection - purposefully from the chest up, of course. The guy is big for sure, all that packed on muscle leaving little to the imagination when it comes to judging fighting prowess. He’s built like a bruiser, and given the way he’s going on about the beetles and the size difference, Childe’s starting to think fighting them is more intense than just a quick squish with a foot.

Maybe they’re magic? He’s certainly seen stranger here at Yogen, therefore he’s trying to keep an open mind.]

Are they strong, then? The beetles, I mean. To make up for their size.

_{[ Itto isn't entirely sure how he feels about the uniform he was given, but so far, he's been wearing it.. though he probably should button up the front. His usual lion mane of hair tied up in a meticulous ponytail. Something about wearing all of this felt right, but also felt weird. He has no idea the redhead is sizing him up, just pissing his life away (literally.)

He goes on the reply: ]}

Well, yeah! They're strong, especially for insects.. guess that's why I like'm so much. Really ambitious things. Maybe I see a little bit of myself in them.

But with nicer hair. Uh. Hair in general. Hair in general.. but it's nice.

_{[ He glances over his shoulder. ]}

What? Ya like strong things, huh?

I guess you could say that.

[He flicks his hands dry as he speaks, turning around fully once the sink is switched off so that he can address Itto and not his reflection. Childe himself has also long since grown used to wearing the school uniform, saving his particularly notable attire for more special occasions. The red mask still adorns the left side of his head, and the Vision attached to his hip is rather notable as it dangles, listing a little to the side as he folds his arms and leans back against the countertop.]

My particular interests align with becoming stronger through combat, so that I may someday conquer the world. [Just come out and say that like it's the most casual thing one could possibly say, no big deal.] I'd be interested in pitting myself up against one of these beetles of yours, should you come across one. I'm confident enough in my skills that I'm sure I could defeat it, but the practice would certainly be nice.

Yeah?

[ zips up....................

he's used to people impeding his personal space in the bathroom at this point, unfortunately. it's itto's words that catch his attention more than his actions. ]

They eat anything else?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

( OPEN. ) FIRST FIGHT.

i. im so sorry

why is komaeda the first person to tag into me.. i say this lovingly i should specify

STOPPP I KNOW ITS CURSED CONTENT but you have ko AND steph im so sorry

i wouldn't want it any other way

i cant believe this is happening im crying

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

II im not

im crying...... help

no subject

1/2

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

II

no subject

no subject

I

no subject

no subject

II.

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

i

no subject

no subject

II | the noise I made upon reading these

i'm sorry chili

don’t be sorry I’m in love with this himbo

no subject

no subject

ii