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]

[ 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.]

[redstray]

[ He finishes his food, not taking anymore, full and his plate empty. He hadn't eaten a lot but at least it was good food.

He stays still for the rest of the time, unless he's called upon. He was still unsure of the rules and regulations of things. but he'll learn with time. ]

[toremainbehind]

Are you full?

[He glances over at Eric.

Though when he hears Mikoto grunt, Izumo shakes his head and slides him over his plate of food, watching the redhead eat it.]

[redstray]

[ He nods. ]

That's the normal amount I usually have, so, yes.

[toremainbehind]

Hmm.

[There's a thoughtful look Izumo gives Eric.]

Alright then.

[redstray]

[ He merely nods in response, watching the others eat the food that was left. There was certainly a lot, huh? ]

[toremainbehind]

Totsuka, handle the rest, yeah?

[Totsuka gives a nod of understanding, and Izumo stands after handing Mikoto the rest of his food.

He gestures to Eric to follow.]

[redstray]

[ He perks up at the gesture and gets up, following Izumo to where ever he wished to go. ]

[toremainbehind]

You don't talk much, do you?

[redstray]

My previous owner preferred I would be seen, and not heard. I suppose it's become a habit, I'm not sure what else to speak about.

[toremainbehind]

[Previous instructions left behind by the previous owner.

Izumo breathes out, closing his eyes briefly.

He needs to figure out a way to handle him. Eric's more withdrawn than Mikoto and some of the other fighters he's had to deal with. Not even Fushimi was that terrible to deal with (then again he left him to Munakata soon enough).]

You're free to speak whenever you want. No one's going to punish you for speaking.

[redstray]

Alright.

[ While it was an order to follow, Eric wasn't sure exactly how to talk whenever he wanted. So he will still be silent most of the time. What else would be there to talk about? It was what he was used to, what he was most comfortable with. ]

[toremainbehind]

Where did you get that marble?

[redstray]

[ Eric immediately grabs it with both of his hands, grasping it tightly for a moment. When he sees that nothing else is coming of it from the simple question, he lowers one hand, the other fidgeting with the marble. He looks away. ]

...I don't know. I've had it for as long as I remember.

[toremainbehind]

[Izumo pauses for a moment, glancing at the marble.

Then he lifts up his own wrist where there is a lone, red marble hanging from a makeshift bracelet.]

It's quite similar to my own marble.

[His eyebrows furrow, briefly wondering when she went out long enough to give one of her precious marbles to Eric. Only very few people had one: Izumo, Totsuka, and Mikoto.

The rest of his family wasn't as close to his sickly sister, but that was fine.

Anna would have never approved of what their family has become.]

[redstray]

[ He tilts his head as he sees the red marble. He leans in a bit closer and indeed, it was very similar to his own. ]

It is similar. Where...ah.

[ He freezes a bit in his speech. He wasn't sure if asking questions was good, or part of the speaking whenever. ]

[toremainbehind]

Where did I get it, you mean?

[He smiles.]

It's okay for you to ask, but to answer your question, my little sister gave it to me.

[redstray]

Your sister...

[ He'll note about asking questions for now. This was going to take time to adapt, but he was good at that, he'll be better for his new owner ]

It's common? The marble...

[toremainbehind]

[Izumo shakes his head, letting his hand fall back down to his side.]

No, only three - I guess four - of us has it. My sister was particularly picky as to whom she wanted to give these marbles to.

[redstray]

Oh...I got this...before everything. I don't remember how or who gave it to me.

[toremainbehind]

[A thoughtful hum, though the expression on Izumo's face shifts a bit.

He wants to touch the marble, but he can't be too sure if Eric will let him.

It's certainly familiar - Anna has always liked particular red marbles so none of them are exactly the same - but he doesn't. Instead, he simply shakes his head and moves on.]

I never could understand why erasing memories has always been part of the experiments.

[redstray]

If your don't remember who you were, it's easier to accept your new self, your new life.

[toremainbehind]

Tell that to Mikoto. He's been resisting.

[And that might be the reason why his family has been urging him to get a new 'fighter'.

Because Mikoto is considered 'broken' to them, but has only backed down after Izumo put down his foot.]

[redstray]

[ He gives a loose shrug.]

Older models, weaker formula.