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]

What kind of basics?

[Izumo presses a button down to the basement, watching as the doors close.]

[redstray]

That they're a place to test fighters abilities and emotional stability. Some spars between different formula takers to research...that's about it.

[toremainbehind]

[A slow nod.]

It'll be the same for here, but they'll need to take a closer look at the collar you have on.

[There's a hint of disdain for the mention of it, but Izumo is quick to disguise it.]

Which means they'll have to take it off.

[redstray]

[ They were going to a testing area...in his mansion? But hearing the removing collar again, he tenses. ]

Removing collars are illegal. Can be placed under severe punishment, even killed. If someone knew I was a fight and I didn't have one on...

[ He shuts down a bit. This was an order. So he inclined his head. ]

If that's what you want.

[toremainbehind]

[Appearances can be deceiving, Eric. This is a house of the origin family member, after all.]

It's fine for you to remove your collar here. They need to check it, anyway.

[A glance at him.

The laws were solid, ones never to be broken, but Izumo has always found a way around it. It's why Mikoto doesn't have a collar aside from the necklace he keeps around his neck.

If necessary, Izumo will have to find a way to modify a collar around Eric in a way it doesn't look completely demeaning.]

[redstray]

Check it?

[ Even the origins family couldn't do this. But perhaps this was another test, or Kusanagi was disappointed he became berserk and was handing a punishment and he will die.

He hadn't even been registered yet. This was all strange and against what he knew. If he told the others, perhaps he could be soared. New collar new owner...]

[toremainbehind]

[Let's just keep it under the wraps, alright?

He doesn't need his family on him too soon so Izumo gives a nod.]

When was the last time it's been properly maintained?

[Izumo doesn't want to be registered for certain reasons, but knows it's the only way for him to properly keep Eric safe from his family.

A grimace before the elevator finally stops on the floor and the doors slide open.]

After you.

[redstray]

Maintained? I don't know. I never thought it required one.

[ He looks out the machine, walking out of the elevator. Why was ge feeling nervous? If he died...it was like a fight. Accept it but still keep going. ]

[toremainbehind]

It does, though even if it is rare.

[Izumo walks out after him, giving a nod to one of the passing scientists.]

You're not going to die.

[redstray]

It doesn't matter if I do. If I die then that's that.

[toremainbehind]

It's not wrong for you to want to conserve your life just a bit longer.

[redstray]

My life has no meaning besides my master and his orders. That's all I live.

[toremainbehind]

[Izumo blinks once but says nothing.

He simply hums and leads Eric further into the room.]

[redstray]

[ Eric follows along silently behind Kusanagi, sometimrs looking around and seeing everything. ]

[toremainbehind]

[Soon enough, a blonde woman appears and steps in their way, expression stern and calculating.

Izumo immediately smiles.]

Seri-chan! This is Eric; I've told you about him from over the phone.

[redstray]

[ She greets him plainly and he nods his head to her in greeting. Was she the one to take off his collar? ]

[toremainbehind]

Eric, Seri will be the one to take that collar off of you.

[The two of them shares a look that has Seri give a chef nod.]

Once you're done, come back upstairs.

[redstray]

Alright.

[ Seri leads him away to a table and though Eric was tense, he allowed the collar to be removed. it was an order after all. Seri explained everything calmly as she removed it, quick and cleanly. Eric felt the tug of it peeling off and that was it, he no longer had a collar.

Seri smiled and led him back to the elevator and sent him back upstairs, he only nodded in thanks, not sure what else to do.

Eric comes back up, a bit nervous looking, his neck was almost a shade whiter then the rest of his skin, with grooves in it from the collar that didn't grow as fast as he had when he had it.

He kept reaching for it, rubbing his neck or going to fidget with his necklace. This was strange, and awkward. He had always had one on, he wasn't sure what to do with it. ]

It's done.

[toremainbehind]

[When Eric returns, Izumo is there, waiting for him.

He puts away the phone he's using, studying Eric closely. He can see those grooves, the way his skin seems to be lighter than the rest of him.

Izumo can feel a curl of anger inside of him, a flare threatening to rise before he squishes it down.

A blink as he approaches Eric.]

How does it feel without the collar?

[redstray]

I've never had it off before. It's weird.

[ He looks down, stil rubbing his neck a bit. He'll get used to it but it felt weird. He didn't like it. ]

[toremainbehind]

In a bad way?

[Izumo would reach over to check himself, but he doesn't want to push past anything.

He's sure he can handle Eric if he snaps, but that might lead to more trouble than what he needs at the moment.]

[redstray]

I don't know.

[ It was bad, very bad. He could be punished or killed because he did not have his own. Even if his master commanded it. ]

[toremainbehind]

[A soft hum before Izumo hands Eric a necklace with a little pendant with an encasing in it.]

Wear this. It's not like the standard collars you're used to, but so long as you wear this, no one is able to punish you or touch you in any way.

[redstray]

[ He stares at it for a moment, before taking it gingerly and placing it around his neck. ]

I didn't know they made these like that.

[toremainbehind]

It has to be custom made, but they do.

[Izumo gives a nod, can't help but feel a bit pleased that it fits Eric well.]

At least this way, it can be considered to be a bit more comfortable for you.