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]

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.

[toremainbehind]

Still stronger.

[He says it on purpose, even if his tone doesn't indicate such.

A glance at Eric to see how he reacts. Eric may be a fighter, but one taught not to show emotions. Mikoto's strong because of his passion.

But Izumo doesn't want to test it out.]

[redstray]

[ He blinks but doesn't show anything to that. There are a lot of people stronger then him. ]

Understood.

[toremainbehind]

In here then.

[Izumo stops in front of an elevator, pressing a button and watched as it opened.]

How familiar are you with the testing areas?

[redstray]

[ He tilts his head as he follows Izumo into the elevator ]

Testing areas...only a little. Some basics

[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.