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

[toremainbehind]

[This will definitely take a while to do.

Izumo leaves Eric to his own devices to head into the kitchen. When he passes by Totsuka, though, he gives a nod and the younger man gives him a smile of understanding.

Eric will figure out soon that Izumo doesn't enjoy the fights.

But Mikoto will make himself known to Eric, golden eyes staring at Eric.]

[redstray]

[ He feels the eyes on him before he looks up to spot Mikoto staring at him. He tensed again, but relaxed as best as he could. He wasn't allowed to fight him. No need to get worked up.

He shuffles a bit though, uncomfortable with the stare. ]

Yes?

[toremainbehind]

[Mikoto is quiet for a moment, eyebrow raised.

Instead of saying something, he merely grunts and simply stands there.

After a moment, he'll ask, "How long?" ]

[redstray]

[ He watches him warily, not sure what was going to happen. But the question has him frown lightly, confused. ]

How long...what?

[toremainbehind]

[Mikoto's eyes narrow, seemingly in frustration.

But Izumo is quick to appear, fingers curling around Mikoto's elbow as if to ground him.

He gives the redhead a look before he looks at Eric.]

Come with me. I figure it'd be good for you to take a shower before dinner.

[redstray]

[ He frowns right back, ready to defend if necessary. But, Kusanagi was there beside the other and he relaxed slight, nodding and standing up at the order. ]

Ah, yes.

[toremainbehind]

Mikoto, go back to Totsuka.

[The redhead inclines his head before he walks away.

Izumo sighs, looking over to the younger and gestures for him to come.]

[redstray]

[ He hops over as quickly and quietly as he could, taking one last look at Mikoto before he disappears from view. But, it was time to follow Kusanagi and see what he had for him instead. ]

[toremainbehind]

Don't mind Mikoto so much.

[He leads him down the hall before he leads him to the bathroom, opening the door. It was another spacious area for Eric.]

I'm not sure what size you wear, so Totsuka has offered to lend you some of his clothes.

[redstray]

I don't mind him at all.

[ He examines the bathroom before eyeing the clothes that had already been placed there for him. ]

That will be fine.

[toremainbehind]

[Izumo cranes his neck a bit to look at Eric better.]

He's under orders as well not to start anything with you, but if he feels as if you're a threat, he'll get rid of you.

[And that's not something neither Izumo nor Totsuka can do about it.

It's the one part of Mikoto that's remained the same throughout all of these years, and Izumo wonders if there's something instinctive to Eric as well.]

Tell me, are you expecting anything from me?

[redstray]

As long as he doesn't do anything, I won't be a threat.

[ He tilts his head, not understanding the question. It was a bit strange to ask, wasn't it? ]

What do you mean?

[toremainbehind]

The same can be said for you.

[A soft hum.]

I mean, do you expect me to use you as a fighter or not?

[redstray]

I expect to be used however you please. I am a fighter, but if you wish to use me in any other form, that will be fine. You purchased me, so I must listen.

[toremainbehind]

[Young and experienced.

No more sign of a life before the experimentation. Eric is more used than Mikoto, who has retained some of his former persona before the experiments.

Izumo clicks his tongue.]

What if I tell you then to speak to me without any formalities? To speak whatever it is on your mind.

[redstray]

[ He frowns, trying his best to figure out what he was trying to say, and to produce the result that he wanted. He didn't get it, why would he ask something so silly? This was just how he was, how all of them were like now. This was why they were taken in at a younger age, more time to be trained, to be docile, less time remembering what they had been like. ]

I'm not sure what that means. This is how I act.

[toremainbehind]

[What a pain.

Izumo simply inclines his head.]

Alright. Go shower.

[And with that, he'll leave. He'll have to make a call and judging from Eric's answers, it'll take some time to break this habit of his.]

[redstray]

Yes.

[ He nods, watching Kusanagi leave. After the door clicks, he undresses, keeping his necklace on as he fiddles with the marble. It was something he did every once in awhile, he didn't know why but it was nice to do.

He turns on the water and steps inside the shower. His thoughts stray to what his master had requested of him and he frowns again. It was certainly a strange order, he's never had those kinds before.

He was part of the family that made him like this, perhaps he was wondering how well the forumlas were working, testing him. There didn't seem to be a need though. He shook his head, grabbing some soap. It wasn't his place to question or theorize, just to listen. That's what he was made for after all. ]

[toremainbehind]

[As Eric showers, Izumo sits in the living room with a laptop open and a phone against his ear.

Talking to one of the people against his family's wishes is always bound to be trouble, but he knew how to hide this from them - knew how to hide his other life from them. His family might've been the one to create these awful experiments, but Izumo knew there was a way to reverse it, too.

He utterly refuses to test his theories on Mikoto or Eric, but this might help.

Izumo doesn't spare a glance when Totsuka announces dinner is ready, a low grunt from Mikoto nearby as the redhead seems to be waiting for Eric.]

[redstray]

[ Eric finishes his shower fairly fast and hops out of it, drying himself and putting on Totsuka's clothes.

Although the clothes fit length wise, they were hanging off him slightly as he was much skinnier then the other man.

Remembering his way back to the living room area since they passed it before, he headed over there. Opening the door he eyes Mikoto a bit, trying his best to ignore him. Paying too much attention to him might cause something that his master would not be pleased with.

He stood a bit of a distance away from Kusanagi, waiting for any orders. ]

[toremainbehind]

[Once Izumo is aware of Eric's presence, he tilts his head back.]

Eric, dinner is ready. You're free to go eat.

[Totsuka laughs a bit, jumping up and offering to show Eric into the dining room.

Izumo closes the laptop and stands up, a heavy breath escaping from him.]

[redstray]

Alright.

[ He nods, following the other into the dining room. ]

[toremainbehind]

[Food is ready, dinner is plated.

Izumo's status makes itself known once again and as soon as Izumo steps into the room, the other servants bow at him.

He makes his irritation shown as he waves them away.]

[redstray]

[ With everyone seated, Eric waits patiently at his spot of the table, staring at the food but not reaching for it.

Totsuka smiled at him, telling him he could help himself and to start eating.

He also has to listen to Totsuka.

So, he nods and takes a small piece of the food to put on his plate. It wasn't much, but it was the usual amount he was used to. Although it was unusual as it was fresh and hot]

[toremainbehind]

[Mikoto takes his seat near Totsuka while Izumo sits near Eric:

Izumo doesn't eat much himself as compared to his friends, watching Eric eat.

It's smaller portions, what Eric's eating, but Izumo's hoping to get him on some sort of healthy food diet.]