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

<3

[toremainbehind]

[Totsuka will do what he can to get Eric to respond before Izumo finally steps back into the room.

"Ah, Izumo!" Totsuka greets cheerfully, only bouncing up from his spot next to Eric when Mikoto returns as well, looking disgruntled.

Izumo blinks once, not minding it as he turns to Eric.]

Ready to go?

<3

[redstray]

[ Eric was never more thankful to see his new owner, the other was so talkative it was making his head spin.

He got up from the couch, giving a nod. ]

Ready.

<3

[toremainbehind]

[Izumo nearly smiles upon seeing just how evident Eric seemed to be relieved when he saw him.

Seems like Totsuka has been talking his ear off, and for that, there's a slightly apologetic look Izumo gives to Eric - perhaps even sympathetic.

I know.

He gives a nod to the other two.]

I'll see you both later. [And with that, he proceeds to lead Eric out.]

Re: <3

[redstray]

[ Eric wasn't used to talking. And he also wasn't used to being talked to so much, especially like the way Totsuka has been.

He follows Kusanagi, just slightly beside and behind him, ready for whatever was to come meeting the origins family. ]

[toremainbehind]

If any of my family members make you feel the least bit uncomfortable, just stick to me.

[Otherwise Izumo will throw in a punch at one of his family members himself.

But they're being ushered into a car and Izumo immediately tells the driver to drive to his family house.

The only fortunate thing is that the origin family's house was close to thirty minutes away from where Izumo lives.]

[redstray]

[ He tilts his head, not sure how they could make him feel uncomfortable. What would they try to do? Did it matter? But it was an order after all, and he didn't imagine he would stray too far from Kusanagi anyways. ]

Alright.

[ He sits in his chair quietly, staring out the window slightly to look at the outside. ]

[toremainbehind]

[Izumo would tell him more, but--doesn't for several reasons.

There is a reason why Izumo does what he can to avoid his family, and maybe after today, Eric will see why, too.

But as the ride goes on, he leans back in his own chair and closes his eyes.]

[redstray]

[ Eric watches as he closes his eyes, before turning his attention back to the window to watch the moving landscapes. It was a simple joy, for him, a small choice he could make. There was no harm, and no particular fun to it, but, it was something he liked doing.

He reached up to fiddle with the new necklace that was wrapped around his neck. It still felt weird to have no collar, he poked it every once in awhile, a foreign feeling. His skin felt weird, the grooves and all. He tried not to think about it. Instead, he turned to fiddle with the marble on his neck, that was familiar, calming. It was better to ignore his neck. ]

[toremainbehind]

[Far too soon for Izumo's liking, they make it to the house and he opens his eyes.

Already, standing there was a man who appeared to be an older version of Izumo, if only with narrowed eyes and a permanent scowl etched onto his face. Beside him stood a woman, beautiful even with wrinkles on her face, but her eyes were cold like ice and her smile sharp as razors.

The car slowly comes to a stop and Izumo places a hand on top of Eric's head.]

Remember what I've told you.

[redstray]

[ He ran through everything Kusanagi had told him about this visit and nodded. He will make sure to go by along those lines. ]

Understood.

[toremainbehind]

[A nod and once the car comes to a stop, Izumo leaves first.

"Izumo, it's been a long time," the woman greets, her smile widening and no less dangerous. "Where is your darling pet?"

Izumo merely musters a smile at his mother, tense and every bit as dangerous as hers - if not more so. Instead of answering her, he simply waves at Eric to come out of the car.]

[redstray]

[ Eric on the cue, opens up the door and steps outside. He looks up to the two people he figures are his masters parents and gives a bow in greeting. ]

[toremainbehind]

["How behaved. This is the same one who's killled his previous owner, isn't it?" There is a look of disappointment on his father's face, one that Izumo ignores.

Izumo simply smiles wider.]

He is. But he's mine, so I greatly appreciate it that you don't touch him.

[The threat is there and it has his father's eyes narrow at him sharply.

"Don't take that tone with me, boy."]

[redstray]

[ Word really travelled fast if they already knew. Eric stayed just behind Kusanagi, a little to the side as he was taught to.

It seemed strange to hear, but he was used to hearing strange things. He kept focus just enough in case they called him, but not enough to really listen. ]

[toremainbehind]

[His father makes a sound, shaking his head before he leads them inside.

Izumo breathes out, far from being at ease as his mother shortly follows after the patriarch for the family. He looks a bit ill, as if being even near them makes Izumo want to hurl, but he ignores it in order to lead Eric inside.

The inside of the house seems to resemble more of what should be a castle, servants greeting Izumo and by extension, Eric, as they enter the household. Standing at the top of the stairs were two other men, both of them who appeared to be watching them with thinly veiled interest.]

[redstray]

[ Eric follows Kusanagi silently, not showing any interest in anything and keeping his eyes down as taught. He only glanced a bit at Kusanagi, waiting to see if there was anything that he needed to do.]

[toremainbehind]

[Upon feeling Eric's glance at him, Izumo simply shakes his head.

He didn't want to cause any trouble, but it's only too soon when he hears one of the men at the top of the stairs laugh.

"Eh? A blond, huh? Guess you couldn't keep the redhead anymore, little brother. Let's see how fast this one adjusts."

Izumo clenches his jaw just as a fighter appears.]

[redstray]

[ Eric watches as a fighter shows up, tensing and frowning at him. He'll wait for any orders before acting. Another fight, seems simple enough. He wondered if he could hold off against an origins family fighter, they would have the best ones..right?]

[toremainbehind]

[A quick study.

Izumo recognizes him and he breathes out, glancing at Eric.]

You're to fight. Avoid killing, though.

[redstray]

Understood.

[ Eric walks away and in front of his master, watching as the fighter approached him.

It took a fee moments and a few cheers and heckling before the other ran to him. Eric put up his stance and charged as well.]

[toremainbehind]

[Izumo stands off to the side, watching.

His jaw clenches as he hears his brothers making bets as to which one will win.

Eyes glancing over at them, he merely sends them a glare before he looks back at the fight.]

[redstray]

[ This was something Eric knew. This was whay he could do, and do well.

And this guy wasn't as hard as Mikoto.

Eric went into robotic mode, fighting, dodging, reading where the guy was going to strike. It doesn't take long, but the other fighter landed heavily on his back after a hard spin kick, too battered to get back up .

Eric resumed a casual stance, giving a small bow before standing in place, waiting for additional orders.]

[toremainbehind]

[There are some sounds of disappointment, but Izumo doesn't care.

While he hates it, he can't deny how proud he feels of Eric.]

That's fine, isn't it?

[Grumbling sounds before the patriarch claps his hands together, drawing their attention.

"Now that we've all managed to entertain ourselves - Izumo, come with me. Your fighter can accompany ours to their designated room in the meantime."]

[redstray]

[ Eric nods to those words. MNy fighters had a room to stay in when they weren't needed. That was something he waa also used to.

Still, he looked to Kusanagi, waiting for the dissmissive order. ]

[toremainbehind]

...You're free to go along with him.

[He's not happy with it, but he can't outright disobey the rules here.

Here, Izumo is under his own lock and chain.]