Sinners and beggars don't play a part here

[toremainbehind]

[Auctions.

Izumo hated those with a passion, and his family coming and forcing him to partake in one is enough to raise his shackles. It's inhuman to sell people for entertainment, especially ones experimented on to be used as fighters.

He's lost his taste for them quickly the moment his family has decided to use Mikoto, his best friend, as one of the earlier models. Reining in his best friend was easy at first until he's gone control, forcing Izumo to submit control over to Totsuka. While it hurts, Izumo can trust Totsuka to care for Mikoto, allowing them to stay in his house so that Izumo can find a way to reverse whatever's been done.

Nothing's worked out so far, though.

Izumo ignores the excited chatter as he makes his way through the crowd, his disgust for it evident on his face.

"It'll be okay, it'll be okay!" Totsuka's voice rang in his ear as Izumo presses his phone against it. "King and I are fine--so will everything else. Don't worry too much."

Izumo has to hold back an urge to sigh, ending the call after Totsuka promises him to give him an update on Mikoto's condition.

He idly listens to the seller list off the 'products' when Izumo's eye catches sight of a young blond man.

Still in his teens, but looks as if he's seen through enough fights in his life.

Izumo frowns, interest piqued, and he makes his way to the front.

His family wants him to get something? Fine. But it'll be on his own terms, and he's not going to allow anyone to touch what belongs to him and tell him what he should do with whomever he decides to 'purchase'.]

Comments

[redstray]

[ Eric barely registers the world around him, no interest in anyone or anything.

He feels the tug of someone pulling him and he follows, as he was taught as will always happens. Well, almost.

A resale, a desperate one at that. Being a newer model the formula was suppose to work better in his blood, make losing oneself difficult. But, for him, he had gone Berserk.

He couldn't remember why, his previous owner did something and he killed him. Normally, after something like that, a rage would ensue, killing spree total destruction. But he became calm once again, following orders as people told him to stop, come with them. Follow orders.

"Here we have a strange case." The auctioneer yelled, pulling Eric forward more. "Excellent fighter, well trained. But, had gone Berserk. Now now, he seems to have stopped, but no guarantees. But his record should speak for itself. 45 wins to 1 loss, and a bargain price. A small wager for such top class. Raised at 8 years, small weapon savvy, buy or he's sent for termination. Can be used for fights, or other needs. Docile as ever. Any interest? Any takers?"

Eric didn't move, didn't care. Not even knowing if he wouldn't be sold he would be killed before the days enď. He merely stood behind the man, eyes glazed and unfocused. His collar on tight and a small red marble hanging a bit lower from. The only thing he had before the transformation. ]

[toremainbehind]

[A berserker.

Izumo's dealt with one in his life and that was Mikoto. It usually takes a strong case for anyone to go berserk, usually when they are forced to deal with an onslaught of emotions.

Mikoto went berserk after one of Izumo's brothers hit him, and for that, his best friend reached a point where Izumo could no longer handle him. The scars were still there from when he tried to rein in Mikoto.

But this boy. He's young and has already faced being berserk?

Izumo, usually, wouldn't care. He came to these auctions with a usual deadpan and unimpressed demeanor. Many sellers tried to get him to buy something; he's from the family that started this whole mess, after all. If the son of the original families bought something, then the price can go up. Anything they've touched can go for a hefty price.

It makes Izumo sick.

But his gaze sharpens upon seeing that familiar red marble. It looks like the one his little sister—

No. Don't think about it.

He fingers the red marble he has tied around his wrist before he decides to step forward, expression not once breaking past the emotionless one he currently has on his face.]

I'll take him.

[redstray]

[ The man stuttered and bowed, causing the chain on Eric to shorten. The blond tilted forward, trying his best to stay balanced and breathing while causing no trouble.

"Ku...Kusanagi-san. I, well...I of course would be honoured to sell him to you, b-but you see...this one has killed his owner last time. To sell him to you and if something were to happen I-I would be in terrible trouble with your family. I have many others to show you if you so please. Younger ones, ah, newer ones, ones more suited to your family name."

The man smiled a kind smile, scared and humbled. Making a sell with the origin family was truly the best he could. But if this one killed the youngest of the family, he would die as well. ]

[toremainbehind]

[So that's what it was.

This boy killed his owner, no wonder why he's been brought here to be sold off or to be terminated. There's a part of him that wouldn't mind being killed off, if only to leave this hell hole, but he also knows that if he dies, there's nothing holding back Mikoto and Totsuka from lashing out.

It's only by izumo's words after all that the two of them are safe.

But it's amusing to see the seller look so shaken.

It's enough to have Izumo smile, that smile that would be enough to send chills down anyone's spine. The smile of a killer, of a man whose nickname is just about as deadly as the infamous Red Lion. But Izumo doesn't like to dwell on his past, simply staring the seller down.]

I insist. I want the boy. [His fellow patrons recoil from the voice in his tone, from the murderous aura that surrounds him.

He's not a fighter; he hasn't been made that way, fortunately, but it can't be argued that Izumo has the spirit of one. Why need a fighter when you can get down and dirty yourself?]

[redstray]

[ "Y-yes! Of course. Please, thank you kindly. Allow me to uh, get the things papers and sell price."

The man ties the chain to a pole, commands Eric to stay, as he shuffles away to a chest where papers overflowed. It took a fww minutes but finally he returned, handing Izumo his papers.

"Ah, and, sir I shall give you an extra discount, by all means. Your family has done so much to this country, it deems it only fair, yes?"

On the papers it said his name, Eric, no last name as they are stripped once they become as they are. Also hus age, weight, height, previous owner, which formula, and so many other information regarding how he transformed. ]

[toremainbehind]

[Izumo hums a bit as he's given the papers, giving it a glance.

Everything that's necessary to know, but at the same time, it doesn't.

Izumo tucks the papers under his arm as he gestures to Eric.]

Give him to me then. [There's no more need to dally, yes? He gives the seller a look, one that clearly tells him to unchain Eric now.]

[redstray]

[ The man nods, unchaining Eric and handing the leash to Izumo, but still holding a part of it. "Yes of course. That is to say...there's tne matter of the collar. To register you as his new owner, a small sample of DNA...surely you are aware of that."

He tries to say this calmly. As this had to be done as soon as the transaction was complete. A sample of blood installed into the collar, connecting the two, so that the other could not escape, pain and electricit until the master is in a certain area. To have this not done was never heard of. ]

[toremainbehind]

[His eyes narrow.

You're talking too much.]

I'll see to it myself. [He smiles] Surely you can allow me to do that in the comforts of my own home?

[While he hates the idea of abusing his authority, this is one of the few rare occasions that he'll do so. Being part of the origin family, being part of this whole mess--

He hates it, but he can't deny the advantages it's given him throughout the years.

Izumo grabs the leash, tilting his head to the side as he eyes the seller.] Unless, of course, you have objections to that.

[redstray]

["Of...of course! My my apologies! Eric, this is your master, foolow his orders from now on. That is a sealed order."

Eric nods, bowing partially to his new owner. The man smiled and bowed as well, thanking Izumo for his purchase. Eric stared blankly at his new owner, waiting for further instructions.]

[toremainbehind]

[Izumo studies Eric briefly before he gives a nod to the man.

Money isn't an issue, but he does gently tug Eric to follow him. He doesn't like to voice out orders, and seeing the way his peers were looking at him, he's sure he'll be under scrutiny for a while.

How long has it been since he's had to order anyone around?

Everyone who's known Izumo knows how much he hates having a fighter, but there's something about Eric that called out to him.

So when they're in a more secluded area, Izumo gently reaches up to take off the leash off of Eric.]

Can you talk?

[redstray]

[ He follows along quietly, head down as he went through all those people.

He watches as his leash is taken of. He gives a nod, his voi e spunded quiet, like he hasn't spoken in days. And well,that was probably the case.]

Yes.

[toremainbehind]

[He can speak, not damaged.

Perhaps not completely.

Izumo hums a bit as he studies him.]

Do you have a last name?

[redstray]

I do not know. At least, I don't remember. The formula used on me as you see on those papers has the effect of reducing memory before it was taken. I remember very little of my time before that.

[toremainbehind]

Why did you kill your last owner?

[redstray]

I'm sorry...I...do not remember that either.

[toremainbehind]

Hm, then don't worry about it.

[A glance at the leash before he decides to discard it.

He has no need for it.]

Let's show you to your new home then.

[redstray]

[ Eric watches as the leash is discarded. He vaguely thought that was interesting but that was his owners choice. ]

Of course.

[ He nods, ready to follow him. ]

[toremainbehind]

[He's going to have a difficult one, isn't he?

But Izumo simply inclines his head, gesturing Eric for him to follow. His status speaks for itself when they enter a luxury car and a drive to his home.

It's something that resembles a mansion, but at the same time, not quite. Izumo's quiet on the way there, though he's aware of Eric's presence in the car.

He sends one text message to Totsuka, though there is a nagging in the back of his mind if this can really be considered a good idea.]

[redstray]

[ Quite possibly.

Eric simply follows, not minding the luxury. They weren't supposed to be impressed by these things after all. Eric sits in the back seat, head down but slightly looking at the window to watch the scenery go by.

When they arrive at the mansion, Eric merely waits for orders. During the first time one receives an owner, they are suppose to be complete complacent, and wait for more rules to judge on how to act appropriately. ]

[toremainbehind]

[Izumo breathes out, not minding the cheerful greeting from Totsuka as the other man comes bouncing out of the mansion.

"Welcome home, Izumo!" And behind Totsuka is Mikoto, who musters up a faint smile at Izumo before he notices Eric and immediately tenses.

Izumo gestures for him to calm before gesturing Eric to come forward.]

Eric, this is Totsuka and Mikoto. [Totsuka immediately greets Eric cheerfully while Mikoto continues to scrutinize Eric as if trying to determine if he's a threat or not.]

[redstray]

[ He would have returned the greeting but seeing someone else like him tense, he tensed as well, ready for a fight.

He still nods his head in greeting but he doesn't keep his eyes off of Mikoto. Was this someone he was going to fight? ]

[toremainbehind]

[He sees Eric tense, sees Mikoto staring Eric down.

Izumo immediately steps in between them, causing Mikoto's eyes to flicker at him.]

He's fine; he's mine. No one is going to fight.

[His words are strong, enough to have Mikoto backing down and Totsuka to smile a bit.

Totsuka turns to Eric. "Hi, I'm Totsuka Tatara. What's your name?"]

[redstray]

[ As Mikoto backs down, and at the order, Eric relaxes. No fighting, at least not right now.

He finally turns his attention to the other man. Totsuka Tatara. He blinks a bit, mildly surprised by a friendly greeting. ]

Eric.

[toremainbehind]

[Totsuka tilts his head, glancing at Izumo who shakes his head.

No time for questions.]

I'm going to take Eric to his room.

[Totsuka nods and Mikoto huffs a bit.

Izumo glances at Eric, gestures for him to follow as he leads him up the stairs to the second floor. It's spacious enough, no sign of what can be considered the house of an origin family that thought up of these fights.]

[redstray]

[ At the gesture, Eric falls in behind him and follows, remembering the route that was taken so that he could find it on his own. Knowing all of the house was a requirement after all.

If he was allowed to after, he'll explore the place to get better bearings of everything, just in case. ]