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]

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.

[redstray]

I see.

[ It still felt weird but, it wasn't so bad. ]

It will be something I will get used to.

[toremainbehind]

I'm glad.

[A light gesture for Eric to follow as Izumo leads him back to the living room area.

There, Mikoto can be seen sleeping on one of the sofas while Totsuka was singing about...something and playing the guitar.]

[redstray]

[ He follows along quietly, still brushing his neck every once in awhile. It felt weird to touch his neck again

Even though Mikoto was sleeping, Eric still tensed lightly on instinct. But the singing had him tilt his head. It was certainly something strange. His owner didn't do these kinds of things. ]

[toremainbehind]

[Izumo chuckles at hearing the singing, glancing back at Eric.]

Totsuka picks up these random hobbies once in a while. This week's hobby is singing.

[As if he heard him, Totsuka sings louder, joyfully even as he even waves to them in greeting.]

I try not to stifle them so I usually allow them to do whatever they want generally. This will include you, as well.

[redstray]

That so?

[ This was all weird. But it didn't mean anything in the end. He was still a fighter and he woukd still be used to fight. He was made to obey. So that's what he'll do. He didn't know what else to do. ]

[toremainbehind]

[Izumo doesn't say anything for a moment, listening to Totsuka sing.

However, once it sounds as if Totsuka is about to end the song, Izumo breathes out.]

We never did exactly test your fighting, did we?

[At the mention of it, Mikoto is suddenly up and aware, eyes seemingly glowing with a red hue, as if he was waiting for a fight.]

[redstray]

No. There's been no testing as of yet.

[ Eric snaps his attention to Mikoto as he wakes up, already ready to brawl if neccessary. Even if Mikoto was still stronger, he could hold his own against many people. ]

[toremainbehind]

I know I've told you that I don't want you and Mikoto to fight, but this will be the one exception as he will test your skills.

[Izumo steps of to the side while Totsuka seems to back away.

Mikoto, on the other hand, grins and gets up from the chair.]

I don't want any bloodshed from either of you.

[A curt nod from the redhead to show he understands before he looks at Eric, seemingly awaiting his response to Izumo's orders.]

[redstray]

Understood.

[ Eric nods, getting into a fighting defensive position, albeit slightly. Waiting for his opponent. ]