isleofavalon | [closed] zany face

[ It feels just about the same as any other day, the two of them there at the front of the convenience store, Sasara's bottle of melon cream soda and Rosho's pudding cup along with a pair of dorayaki to share for later up on the counter, when suddenly the cashier announces them excitedly as winners of a free trip. Rosho's a little startled, clearly confused, seeing as he hadn't even known a contest of that sort was even happening. I mean, it's great luck! A vacation sounds really nice honestly. And then the next thing he knows they're no longer at the convenience store. They've been transported somewhere, right in front of a large, extravagant, and very expensive-looking fountain.

Needless to say Rosho's at a loss for words. ]

Uh, is this magic...? [ He looks over at Sasara who thankfully is still with him. ] Did you do this?

[ Maybe he had this all planned out as a surprise... maybe... hopefully. ]

[ Like the weather's warmed up just at the end of spring and they're doing a late run for snacks-- In reality, that oughta have been a few years since, but at the same time Sasara even, for a moment, forgets they're in a different world entirely. Or more like, he doesn't think about it for a good moment, before the announcement comes down and they land elsewhere. ]

A-ah– [ Despite his persona, he finds himself more startled than excited. ] Wasn't me...

[ More than just having done something that felt off, turned out feeling completely wrong, that day and the day before had continued in an odd fashion. Now, Sasara thinks, it's shaping up to be a kind of pattern. Not the sort he likes his suits styled with, either. ]

This sorta place, [ Seems deceptively familiar. As if it's something from a dream, the illusion of a place beckoning with promises; everyone's dreamt of something they couldn't have, right? Though, not a word has been said yet by their hosts. ] What's it about?

Edited 2021-05-20 21:21 (UTC)

[ The attendants that approach them promptly congratulate them, again, on their free trip to the Black Knight's Castle, before beginning to explain just what exactly they can do there. Rosho's not sure if Sasara is going to listen, but he sure is, seeing as he's never even heard of the Black Knight's Castle before. Is it like a hotel? A restaurant?

"Here you can have whatever you want, anything you want! Whatever you desire!"

Rosho blinks. ]

Whatever we desire...?

[ Both hosts nod their heads, and sensing the doubt and confusion, presses further on the explanation.

"Yes yes, whatever you want, as much as you want. It doesn't matter what it is, you're welcome to it here. Anything is possible! And it is completely free!"

Rosho narrows his eyes. It seems too good to be true, but that gullible part of him is already thinking things. ]

So like, if we asked for money, or... all the sweets we wanted, you could do that?

[ "Yes, of course!" ]

But what if we don't want any of that. What if instead, we wanted you to let us go home? I mean, let us go back to Osaka?

[ "We can do that!"

Rosho's hands clench into fists. His heart is racing a little. ]

What if I said, I want us to win the Division Rap Battle?

[ "Absolutely!"

Sasara, you may need to step in here now. ]

[ Anything at all–? Rosho says it before it just as well falls off of Sasara's tongue.

Wealth, that's the typical stuff, ain't it so? That's even how Rei swindled this poor teacher! But Sasara doesn't think of stepping in between his partner, and that naive look in his eyes, and the temptation just yet.

He sorta wants to hear it, too.

Go back home...? The tension in Rosho's hands mimics the sudden feeling in Sasara's chest.

If they don't lose what they've got--

The argument, weighing the thought in his mind, shatters against the third question. ]

Rosho! [ Sasara grabs him by the shoulder and pulls him down to face the look on him. They've just been and had their battle up on Tsutenkaku. Made a promise that they'll get to the top together this time. All through their own strength, right?

Rosho believes it too, yeah?

But doubt seems to flicker in Sasara's expression, instead. ]

What are ya saying?

[ There's so many options, how does he know what to consider? But before Rosho can get carried away in his thoughts with this alluring proposition before him Sasara's tugging him back down to reality. He doesn't look as enthused as Rosho does, doesn't look nearly as interested in the possibility of having whatever they want, any wish fulfilled, and so of course the guilt starts gnawing away at Rosho right away.

Is he asking for too much? Did he not say the right thing? Is... Sasara disappointed in him? ]

I— I'm not asking, for any of those things, I'm... I'm just, checking...

[ He looks back to the pair of hosts who don't seem remotely troubled by the sudden interruption. ]

We could try to think of somethin' more reasonable, yeah? I mean, if they really can give us whatever we want.

[ His gullibility is the blame, obviously, but when you've been bounced from one world with weird magic nonsense being the norm to another one that gives you magic powers... it's not that hard to believe this sort of thing is really possible, right? Sasara has to think there's some degree of truth to what they can offer, right? He's not... he's not doing anything bad... right? ]

[ After going home for a quick reunion, it ain't that you expect your team to break apart the next moment. Sasara is in thoughts Rosho doesn't have—about Rei and about the DRB. Asking to win it, even just going back home, suddenly he doesn't know if he wants either of, even when that'd been it all along. A day or two ago, he might'a jumped on it too. A little more homesick than gullible, a little more sure of his teammates and himself.

It's not Rosho's fault, that Sasara is going to keep another secret. ]

Rosho, sorry, I... [ He's squaring up. ]

We oughta not do it like this, yeah? [ Not to tell. ]

So, let's just do it our way. [ Sasara is here, though, he doesn't know about Rei: ] Ya got me around. This sorta thing, it sounds like a scam, ya know!

[ The hosts don't awfully seem to mind being called out on that. ]

[ Rosho flinches, because it's always that bad habit of his, the sort that feels guilty the moment he's scolded. The moment he thinks he's done something wrong, and Sasara's quick to call off this idea of his before he can come up with a solid request to ask. Even if the hosts don't have a problem with this sudden swell of doubt, Rosho has that annoying impulse to defend himself. ]

It's not! I... I don't, think it is...? [ He looks to the two in front of them as if to get some kind of guidance, give an honest word, but they don't say anything. And that makes him think... is this really a scam? Are they being set up?

(Very obviously, duh, but this is Rosho we're dealing with. There's a thick head on this partner of yours, Sasara.) ]

We're in a world that has lots of magic in it, so, to think they could do something like this, it's... it's not impossible, ya know? It's just... there's only so much, all of us can do. Ya can't deny, my potential's not the same as yours and Rei's.

[ "Ya got me around". That phrase... he doesn't like it. The same way he'd think about Sasara telling him they'd take them all to the top. Just leave it to him. He'll take care of everything. Leave his faith in Sasara. Just him. Just let Sasara do it all.

It's not fair. He takes Sasara's hand in his own and squeezes it tightly. ]

I told you. I want to be equals. [ As he is, even with the best of his abilities... if it weren't for that—

Rosho swallows hard. ]

If I could get rid of my stage fright, then I know, it could be like that for sure.

[ He can watch out for his partner getting tricked—and he will—but beneath that purpose is another reason, slumbering, or put away anyway. It hasn't been long enough at all, as that Sasara could let it rest. That's all it is: he's determined not to say.

Rosho took his hand first, but now Sasara pulls him back by that grip. ]

I don't know...–

[ No... he's sure it's something fishy here. He just doesn't know if winning the D.R.B oughta be on his mind. Rei is, and it seems he bristles when Rosho makes mention, trying to hide it. If they split up, it won't matter how good they are, if Rosho oughta be conquering his stage fright by any means at all. ]

It just doesn't seem right, ya know?

[ Sasara's hold is tight, as if to make all too sure Rosho can't slip out of it. ] Sorta like cheating. [ Is that what he really thinks? If it makes it sound like he'll scold Rosho again, then– ] If we won 'cause 'a that, I don't know that I'd like it.

[ If they won, it's like he doesn't know what Rei would do. ]

[ There's something a bit funny about that statement, that Sasara thinks doing something like this would count as cheating. Imagine, scolding a teacher for thinking about cheating... it's ironically amusing, in a way. But somehow it's just the thing to get Rosho to finally stop and focus on him completely. He wants Rosho to be able to apply his own natural strengths to the battle. His weaknesses, his insecurities, everything he thinks negatively about himself— even being the way that he is, how Rosho thinks he's a liability all the time. It isn't a matter of fixing his problems.

It's a matter of, Sasara wants him to stay the way he is.

All their efforts up to this point, it isn't just a matter of just winning the D.R.B., but that they're doing this together. That they're doing this for each other. He has to remember, Sasara chose this team. He could have asked for anyone else to help him. Any other person in Osaka, anywhere in Japan, someone without such an unfortunate history, without stage fright, who could stand up on a stage and put all their effort into what the D.R.B. needs.

But Sasara chose him.

He brought him here, with him, to win. Victory is all they've ever talked about. Getting to the top. ]

Sasara... what happens if we lose?

[ What happens to them— Rosho, Rei, and Sasara, if they lose? ]

[ It's not like other people weren't rushing him to team up. In this way, or up on a comedy stage. Plenty of folks that wanted to stand by him, Sasara still clung to a loneliness Rosho was able to move away from. It's him, who he wants to team up with, be side by side. Rosho's the person that matters the most.

So, maybe they can do it without Rei.

The thought'll bite him, and desperation wring the truth out of him when the guilt he feels won't stop growing, until it bulges out. Just for now, though, can't Sasara think, that even if it's only the two of them it'll still be enough?

He squeezes Rosho's hand without easing off after, Sasara's grip remains tight. ]

If we lose...?

[ He'll hold onto the idea, too, as long as he can. ]

Rosho, ya oughta not think like that!

[ Words that sound hopeful and sure, a serious look on his face, what that reveals is, that Sasara doesn't think of it lightly. Even if he can't say 'Let's do it without Rei', he oughta believe they could muster it, right? He can't just say, that they'll lose that way... ]

You and me, we'll get back up there, ya see?

[ He's sort of... baffled, for a moment. A little bit tongue-tied. It reminds him a lot of what it was like when he first got to know Sasara. Everything he said and did was just so unpredictable, so ridiculous, so hard to believe. With such a straight face and so much conviction, everything he said, it was like nothing could go wrong. And that's why he stayed with him all that time when they'd been partners. Because if Sasara believed in it, he knew that it would have to come true.

Rosho learned the painful way that that wasn't always the case. And yet...

And yet why is it that after all those years, after all this time, even after the break up, even after the secrets, and the things they never told each other, and the doubts Rosho always has about himself, he still believes him.

He still always, always believes him.

After his long silence, Rosho huffs a soft, quiet laugh. ]

Ya always know what to say every time I worry.

[ It must be difficult for him, Rosho thinks, for Sasara to have to go through this same song and dance all the time. But he wouldn't be here with him if he wasn't willing to go through with it. If it wasn't worth it, he would've given up a long time ago. He would have never sought him out. He would have never come back to Osaka.

This man. This idiot. Why he loves to take risks, he'll never know, but it always seems to work out somehow.

What is it in that head of his that makes him so sure about everything... Rosho wants to know.

Rosho wants to be like that too. ]

I'm gonna try really hard. So that we can win.

[ There's a little niggling question he can't bring up anymore, a little voice he's completely forgotten. ]

It's the least I could do for how ya always believe in me. Us.

[ Sasara, what about Rei? What's going to happen to Rei? After it's all over... what about Rei? ]

[ Heading down into this cave all by himself is a little concerning, but it's the prospect of a nice hidden, tucked away hot spring that makes it easier for Rosho to keep trekking forward. It's when the air around him starts getting a little more warm and muggy that he has a feeling he's in the right spot and shouldn't be too far off from his destination.

And then it's there, a large, open pool of water naturally formed in this strange cafe system. The glow of the water has this beautiful ripple effect shining off of the cave walls, and there isn't a single person around, which means he has complete privacy.

—except, that part's wrong. There's a figure in the water.

It... that's not a person though. A crown upon their head, not wearing anything at all, and beginning to hum a lulling tune. It's... It's king pudding, and right there in its hands is a plate of 1.9 liters of pudding. Oh, oh god, this is amazing, this is the best day of his life, Rosho is so glad he came here. ]

[It's been a few days since the trials started, and a few days since... well, since Sasara peeled back more layers of Rei's persona than he ever should have.

When shown the door for the relaxation package Rei was really looking forward to getting the hell out of there and staying at the Red Springs for the remainder of the week. He was hoping to stay away from the boys even longer, too, but..........]

Rosho.

[the hell you doing]

[ It's like Rei isn't even there, or maybe he's ignoring him, but he doesn't react to the call of his name and instead starts approaching the pool of water. It almost feels like a dream. Maybe it is? But King Pudding gives a little jostle of the plate and Rosho is mesmerized by the way it wiggles in that tempting fashion. It's absolutely real! His mouth is watering. ]

A-all of it...? I can have all of it?

[ King Pudding gives no response other than continuing that hypnotizing humming, but it steps back further into the pool while holding out the plate of pudding. So he can absolutely have it, he just needs to step into the water? No problem! Logic has no place here, only pudding. ]

[ignoring him?!?!?! fuckin RUDE, listen to your elders!!!!

Well... Rosho must be seeing something, because given the guy's fear of ghosts and apprehension of monsters, there is no way Rosho would be looking at that thing with anything other than nerves. What the heck is it... some kind of otter from hell?

Whatever it is, Rei probably shouldn't let it get its little claws in his teammate, as funny as the thought of Rosho getting his ass gooned by a weasel is.]

Rosho. [Rei's hand closes on Rosho's elbow. His voice is still casual, but his grip isn't.] Whatcha got there?

[ He should probably take off his clothes before he steps into the water, but before he can even consider this a hand latches onto him and he stops in his tracks. Of course, when it comes to Rosho and sweets, you absolutely do not get in his way. ]

Rei, let go!

[ Clearly peeved, he resists immediately, trying to tug free from his grasp. For an old man his grip sure is strong.

Wait... he sees it too, right? Is he trying to stop him to... to get at the pudding first?! ]

I got here first! Ya don't even like sweets that much! C'mon, you can meddle all ya want about anything else but absolutely not this!

[Sweets? Yeah, that confirms it. Something weird's going on here.]

Just hold on a second, dork. I'm not taking anything this time. [Now Rei sounds amused, but he's still not letting go.]

I'm old-- my eyes are going bad and I can't see through the steam. Tell me again what you're wading in fully clothed for?

Are ya stupid or somethin'? It's clearly right there! [ Rosho points at the figure in the water. He's almost certain Rei is messing around with him, but... he's got a point. He's old. Maybe he actually can't see it that well? ]

It's a King Pudding! Ya buy this big bucket and make your own pudding. It's almost 2 liters of pudding! Like, this big!

[ He tries to make a guestimate of the size with his hands considering Rei strangely can't get a good look at it.

Meanwhile, this "King Pudding" seems to be catching on to the fact that its attempts at luring in a victim into the pool isn't quite working out too well, and so its wadding closer to the edge, probably planning to yank one of them in. ]

[Oh boy.]

You're kidding. [Rosho has heard THIS tone of voice before.] So, explain why that would be brought into a hot spring? Can't be good for the pH levels, I'm thinking.

[Rei's dark magic pools at his feet, wafting tendrils of unformed curses as he prepares a defense. He sees that movement, siren monster... do NOT touch his (admittedly gullible) boy.]

[ He has absolutely heard that tone of voice before and Rosho is flushing red in embarrassment and anger. Why is he the one being made to look like the idiot here?! ]

I... th-there's nothing wrong with it! It's fine!

[ It's absolutely, totally fine, this giant otter creature that is rising from the water and beginning to screech and hiss. ]

[Hell, but that thing is huge. The time for teasing his poor teammate is over now, whether Rosho can see what's bearing down on them or not.

Rei drops all pretenses immediately, pulling Rosho away from the pool to run. His dark magic is left behind as a deterrent-- hopefully it will give them time to put some distance between them and the monster.]

Argue later. Let's go, now.

[ Wait, why are they running now? What the hell is going on? Rosho stumbles to catch up for a moment, baffled by the heavy sensation of magic in the air, definitely not his. This is insane, is Rei really going to be this opposed to him eating pudding?! ]

Rei, what're ya doing?! Rei!

[ Rosho tries to yank out of his grip as he looks over his shoulder— ]

[ —where, instead of a jolly adorable King Pudding holding a plate of huge pudding, there's a furious roaring half-otter demon monster thing hauling itself out of the pool and clawing ferociously at the barrier of dark magic, its screeching echoing in the cave at the assault of negative energy and pain inflicted upon it as it tries to break through.

Oh.

That wasn't there before. ]

REI?!

[ nani the FUCK ]

[Ah, there he goes. Dire as the situation is, there's still some bizarre humor in it somehow.]

Yeah, shame I couldn't see you try to eat that thing.

[The creature's ferocious roaring is really loud and awful, but they're still managing to get away OK. If they could only find the damn way out... SURELY THAT'S COMING UP SOON, RIGHT. HOW FUCKING LONG IS THIS SPRING TUNNEL]

It can't be that strong a creature, or else it wouldn't resort to illusions for prey. [PROBABLY] So just hang on.

Shut up! That wasn't my fault!

[ Sure he may be painfully gullible but you can't blame him for falling for such a convincing illusion. He can't believe he thought that giant monster was... pudding... god he feels like such an idiot. He swears, if Rei tells this to Sasara, he's going to kill him.

WOULD BE AWFULLY CONVENIENT IF HE JUST SUDDENLY DISAPPEARED AFTER THIS ]

Just run faster!

[ If he wasn't so horrified at the moment he'd be a little amazed that Rei can even run but now that he realizes they need to get out of this tunnel and fast Rosho picks up his pace and becomes the one to start leading Rei through the tunnel until there's finally an exit.

Not actually the normal entrance to a cave but, coincidentally enough, another door. ]

[Good on Rosho for taking the lead! Rei much prefers trailing behind to dragging him around. Don't gotta tell him twice-- he's right behind you.

Oh thank god there's a door. No time to question the logistics of that-- Rei will follow Rosho through it and then SLAM it the fuck shut. BYE!!!! BYE BYE BYE BYE

There's a long moment of silence as Rei holds his breath, hand on the knob, listening tensely for commotion from the other side.

...

Nothing.]

...Well. [He finally turns to Rosho again, grin a little skewed.] That's enough excitement for one day, I think!

[ Consider an innocent door was what got him there in the first place, Rosho hopes its what'll get them out, and wouldn't you know it the moment they pass through and Rei slams that door shut behind them they seem to be right back in regular old Camelot. Rosho lets out a deep breath, adjusting his glasses and trying to settle his nerves.

He flushes with embarrassment and a little bit of anger when Rei does nothing but grin at him. Damn it, he was tricked, again. ]

There was nothing exciting about that!

[ He won't say it, but he's kind of... disappointed he didn't get any pudding out of that encounter. He'd been so happy. Damn. Stupid monster. He hopes that thing starves in that cave. Now he's in the worst mood. ]

Make fun of me all ya wan't but don't ya dare tell Sasara about this. [ What a familiar phrase that is now. ] He'd have a field day with jokes and I just wanna be over it, ya hear?

[Rei could drag this bit out, if he wanted. Make a big show of deciding whether or not to agree... Threaten to keep the secret for a price... but instead he just smiles, the expression tinged with the tiniest hint of melancholy.

Sasara, huh.]

My lips are sealed.

[Rei reaches up to ruffle Rosho's hair-- just a bit.]

I'll see you around, then. Sensei.

[ Something feels... wrong, in this moment. He's not sure why. They've gotten out of harm's way. Things turned out way better than they did back during the dullahan mess. Maybe it's just because he's still getting used to it, Rei being nice, being more than just a mysterious scam artist that can't be trusted.

The same way that when Rei ruffles his head, Rosho doesn't know what to call this feeling. As if he's pitiful. He's a little pathetic, isn't he?

He can't do a lot of things right. But he's going to keep doing his best.

(Didn't he say something once, that Rei is like a parent? And yet, his parents... he can't remember a time they ever did anything like this. Because he probably didn't deserve it.) ]

I'm sorry ya always get involved in trouble 'cause of me. [ Rosho speaks up quickly before Rei can leave. ] After this time, I... I really owe you. So thanks.

[ He has no idea how it happens, but as if in the blink of an eye, once Rosho steps through the door he's immediately immobilized. No one's holding him down though. He struggles, tries to pull his head free from the headlock, but it's not arms around his neck, nor is it hands around his wrists. Its solid and won't budge, and it hurts, and with the angle that his body is at he knows that it's not someone that has him trapped but something. As he jostles, trying to free himself somehow, his glasses slip free from his nose and dangle from the neck hole of the stocks. Thankfully the chain keeps them from falling, but he can't grap them with his hands trapped. Rosho pulls and pulls until his neck and wrists hurt. It's so damn irritating, honestly it's pissing him off at this point, because someone clearly did this.

That's when he realizes he's being watched. Hushed words raise into chatter, some laughter as its pointed out he's lost his glasses, his struggling is so pitiful. Rosho goes still. Why... why was he put here in front of people? Why are they just watching him? Why is no one helping him? ]

Stop... s-stop, hey, stop, don't do that... come up here and help me...!

[ The anger's already fading as panic settles in. That's when the first piece of fruit gets thrown at him. ]

[Jyushi wasn't expecting all of this once he stepped through the door. It definitely feels like a test, going through a mysterious door and finding some medieval city laid out before him. He's wandering around for a moment until he sees a crowd. Something about it makes him anxious but he figures he should go to it. That's what he should obviously do and so he does.

And is instantly gasping. For someone like Jyushi, this isn't much of a test at all. People shouldn't be humiliated like this or be treated like this. The fact that it's Rosho, somebody who has been nothing but good to him and kind, open-minded, only makes it worse. Somebody like Rosho shouldn't be treated like this.

Instantly, he's rushing forward to try to figure out what's going on and try to get him out of here.]

Tsutsujimori-san! Hold on! [Blocking Rosho from the eyes of everybody else as he frets over the stocks, there are tears in his eyes. Jyushi cries over literally anything and right now, it's for Rosho's sake.] I-I'm sorry, I'll get you out--ow! [And there goes the first rotten fruit. It may be rotting but it's also still being thrown as hard as possible at Jyushi. He looks over his shoulder.] S-stop that! Why aren't you helping...? [Another fruit, a rotting apple is thrown, and Jyushi frowns. Nobody is going to help and it's very reminiscent of all the times nobody had ever wanted to help him when he'd been treated similarly.

But it's okay. Rosho has him.]

Don't worry, okay? They can throw whatever they want at me.

[ The call of his name has him going deathly still for a moment, just because Rosho would prefer not to have anyone he knows seeing him in this terrible predicament, but when it appears to be Jyushi clamoring over to try to help his mood shifts almost immediately. He can clearly tell he's distraught over the sight of him which makes it easier to focus on the young man's concern instead of his own stage fright rearing its ugly head.

Then there's a loud splat. Next, a soft thunk, as the apple misses its mark. He can hear Jyushi's words but focusing on him any further is too difficult. They're throwing fruit at them.

They just threw fruit at Jyushi. Rosho is furious. ]

Quit throwin' fruit! What the hell's wrong with all of ya?! You're actin' like a bunch of savages instead of civilized people!

[ Rosho shouts out over the crowd, his kansaiben now thick with his anger. The stocks rattle as he struggles once more. ]

I'm gonna memorize all your faces and then when I'm free I'm gonna beat your ass, each and every one'a ya bastards!

[ He catches sight of that rotten apple rolled over near him, and so he gives it a swift hard kick, sending it back into the crowd where it... proceeds to knock into the head of a bystander.

Needless to say they take a moment to decide on whether they want to keep throwing fruit or not. ]

[From what Jyushi knows about Rosho, this was the last thing he expected. Rosho was so nice and he'd been nothing but supportive of Jyushi. It made sense, considering he was a teacher.

So when Rosho explodes, threatening the crowd, it wasn't what Jyushi was expecting. Not that Jyushi isn't used to these types of displays. Kuko always wakes up and chooses chaos. Really, Bad Ass Temple is a good example of this and Jyushi knows how important it is not to take these types of impressions as the only one. Rosho has every right to be angry because of this treatment and so Jyushi does understand. Even if he's taken aback by this reaction.

But it does seem like everybody's changed their mind about throwing any more fruit so Jyushi, coming back from being stunned himself, tries once more to figure out how to get Rosho out.] A-ah, please don't move too much. Give me a moment. [Jyushi has death magic and he absolutely hates it. He and Hitoya have practiced and so he knows how to do some things, like possessing the person that has the keys. He can't do it for long but he doesn't need a long time. Closing his eyes and sitting down, he focuses on possessing the guard and once he does, he hates it. He hates this feeling and it's wrong to do this, he thinks, but it's for the good of Rosho! This is doing the right thing, he thinks, so he quickly moves as the guard to get Rosho free.

Jyushi as the guard smiles...which is probably bizarre, once the stock is lifted up.] You're free! Make a run for it! I'll be behind you once I get back to my body!

[Which he begins to do but he always has a hard time waking his own body up so give him a few seconds.]

[ At least Jyushi doesn't have to tell him twice in order for Rosho to listen. He goes still though continues to glare daggers at the crowd as if daring them to even lift a finger in their direction, and then the next thing he knows Jyushi appears to be sitting down. For what reason?? Did he get hurt? Is something wrong? He's absolutely going to probably sprain his wrist by trying to yank his hands free from the holes of the stocks until an individual suddenly steps toward him with a set of keys. He watches in stunned silence as the guard approaches the stocks then unlocks them, flipping it open. Rosho stands up waveringly, at a complete loss for words, staring at the guard who seems awfully cheerful when just a second ago they didn't seem to care at all for what was happening.

"I'll be behind you once I get back to my body!"

What...? Rosho looks to where Jyushi's body continues to sit, unmoving.

This, this is his magic, isn't it? The crowd is starting to stir as a few begin to boo his freedom, but Rosho shuts out the noise. He only cares about one thing. ]

We're going together! C'mon!

[ Grabbing the underarms of the unconscious body Jyushi's left behind, Rosho hauls him up and immediately tries to pull him over his shoulder. He's probably not going to be able to get them very far considering how big Jyushi is, but Rosho refuses to leave him behind. If only he had better magic to make this easier. ]

[The problem is that Jyushi isn't so good at getting back to his body so once Rosho goes to pick it up, Jyushi (still in the body of the guard) is stunned. Not angry, because he knows that Rosho is just trying to make sure they leave together, but now Jyushi needs to run after him.]

Wait, wait! Slow down a little! I have to get close or I can't get back!

[And Jyushi's a little worried that Rosho cannot actually carry his body very far because Jyushi's a very Tall Boy.]

[ Oh god damn it. Rosho wavers as he almost tumbles over with the extra weight he's carrying, but he only stops for about a moment before shouting behind himself. ]

Run faster then! You're young, it shouldn't be a problem!

[ Ignoring the fact Jyushi isn't even in THE SAME BODY right now. Just keep up, bodyguard Jyushi! At least Rosho slows down to a speed-walking pace for him eventually. ]

[Jyushi can barely make it up to Kuko's temple all the time so even if he was in his body then it wouldn't be a good time. But running in a guard's body is weird, bizarre, and Jyushi screams as he tries to get closer when he's finally able to.

And wow, this is a really awkward position, Rosho.]

I'm back, I'm back! Put me down! I'm probably really heavy!

A couple more feet then I'll let you go, I don't want that guard to figure out what's going on and try to catch up with us!

[ He has a little bit of extra stamina left for one last burst of speed but boy are his arms starting to hurt. ]

[This is literally the most awkward positioning. Jyushi's not a giant compared to Rosho but he is taller. He's a lanky mess of a boy and it feels like Rosho could drop him at any moment.]

Please don't drop me...I don't think this city has a good hospital. [It's called healing magic but that doesn't enter his mind a lot.]

Don't worry about it otherwise I'm gonna start to worry!

[ STAY POSITIVE JYUSHI!! He tries to get them as far as he can before Rosho thinks his legs might give out, and so finally he stops, though Rosho's careful at least about letting Jyushi go so he can stand on his feet.

Rosho bends over, hands on his knees, trying to catch his breath. ]

You're real lucky I exercise regularly... now give me a minute, I-I gotta catch my breath...

[As soon as Rosho let's Jyushi go, he's bowing in front of him.]

I'm so sorry! I wanted to help you but then you ended up having to carry me away like that! I could have really slowed us down if you weren't so fast and strong!

[ Here they are, the two lucky contestants— oh, actually just one, so-far. It seems the second one is having some trouble getting down to the stage. ]

No, no no, its okay, you can choose someone else, I insist!

[ He hasn't even left his seat and is really adamant that he just stay there. Very, very adamant. ]

I-I said no!

[ Eventually Rosho gets hauled down by a pair of patrons who practically shove him to join the ring leader and the other participant. As the ring leader begins explaining the details of this little "show" and the way the bracelets work, Rosho is barely paying attention, mostly preoccupied with staring at the ground and wringing his hands as he tries not to have a goddamn panic attack. He hasn't even been able to process that the other person with him is Hitoya. ]

[Hitoya doesn't exactly need anyone to strong arm him into taking the stage though he'd been enjoying the drinks and had contented himself with watching what first appeared to be a rather simple trial.

From beneath the bright lights, it's impossible to make out all but the vague shape of the figures in the audience with their rapt attention focused from the shadows on the show. There's something eerie about the featureless faces, nothing at all like the shows he used to perform in the distant past, in another life. Still, he can put some of that practice now. Whether performing with a band or presenting a case before the court, his life has long been something of a spectacle. And Rosho doesn't look to be taking initiative.]

Alright well we can't start the show without a proper introduction. [He gestures to Rosho with the hand wearing the andara bracelet, barely acknowledging the familiar face nor what might be going through his head. To his credit it isn't wholly obvious yet.]

Why don't you tell who you are?

[A simple request to test whether these things really work.]

Edited 2021-05-21 20:34 (UTC)

[ Even if Rosho could focus enough to get a look at the audience, he wouldn't be able to make out any features either, but having the spotlight put upon him right there on center stage is so nerve-wracking. It's not like being at the front of his classroom or embarking on a rap battle. It's even worse than that. Sasara and Rei aren't even here with him.

Just as he begins to register that he clearly knows the person he's with, as the question springs up and Rosho gets that other bracelet hoaxed onto his wrist through his distracted panic, the response just seems to come right out of him automatically. ]

Rosho Tsu—Tsutsuji, mori...

[ He's not sure just how exactly that happened, but now that he's gotten his voice out on stage it's at least a little easier to speak. Sort-of. ]

You, ah, you're... wh-why? Are you really going to stand here, and p-perform, just like that...?! P-pick someone else!

And disappoint all these guests?

[Hitoya shrugs. The attention doesn't bother him one bit. All they're asking for is a bit of harmless fun without all the pressure that usually comes from being put in the spotlight. As a teacher, Rosho should also be well acquainted with that, right?]

I don't think they heard you the first time, teach. One more time and tell us a bit about yourself. Any hobbies or talents?

[He's not asking for much, still testing out the extent of these bracelet's abilities. But he figures it also helps not to demand anything that Rosho might regret later. So the demonstration is as much for their benefit as the audience.]

[ God he wants to throttle this man, if only he could stop his hands from fidgeting and shaking. Rosho's tongue-tied for a moment but once again, upon the instruction on what to do, his mind and body just behave all on their own and the words simply come out as if naturally. ]

Tsutsujimori Rosho, that's my name! I'm, I like to watch documentaries, and sports, I-I spend most of my time with my job, as a teacher, I teach high school so it takes up most of my time at home, I don't, don't really do a lot of other things...

[ He makes the sort of facial expression that makes it seem like he's hurt as his voice wavers more strongly. ]

T-talent, I... I have n-no talent, of any sort...

[Hitoya doesn't completely miss the cues that Rosho is presenting. He'd be a pretty terrible lawyer otherwise. But he doesn't know the teacher well enough to fully make proper sense of them yet. What he does know--at the party he learned that he and Sasara had a manzai duo together for example--stands somewhat at odds with the impression he gives now. Someone who doesn't exactly relish being in front of a crowd.

He sure has picked some strange professions if that's the case...]

Looks like Rosho here needs a bit of encouragement folks. How about a round of applause for our sensei. [The audience responds almost immediately with cheers from the darkness though the sound is somewhat forced. With a hunger for entertainment that could easily turn to a threat if not satisfied.]

Now lets see. [Documentaries doesn't give him much to work with. It'll have to be sports. Hitoya turns to the ring leader to make a request who anticipates him with a knowing smile and before the words are out of his mouth a spotlight illuminates the far end of the stage.] Oh you read my mind.

[Beneath the light sits a solitary basket ball hoop. The ball falls from above Hitoya who catches it with ease.] Alright sensei. You know how to play?

[He passes the ball to Rosho, not forcing him to catch it at least.] Try to land to few free throws from here. Hell, with these, I bet you could manage a trick shot.

[He gives the bracelet a shake for emphasis.]

Edited 2021-06-06 17:09 (UTC)

[ He might have only been a comedian for about a year, but Rosho knows forced applause when he hears it, and he knows for a fact this audience isn't remotely enthused with his performance. He really just wants a hole to open up in the ground to swallow him up. Rosho bows in apology immediately but can't get the words out, not a single sorry, and he hopes to stay bent over staring at the ground until a new source of light catches his peripheral vision. Shooting up straight to look toward it, his head jerks toward Hitoya at the solid thud of a ball falling into his hands.

No, oh no, this is even worse. The collar of his shirt already feels damp with sweat. With a fumbling response he at least manages to catch the ball though he very nearly drops it afterward. ]

I-I understand, I mean, I... know, how basketball works...

[ He's pretty good at remembering rules, keeping track of scores, but he's never played a single sport his entire life. All that comes to mind is failed attempts at practice, wanting to take part in an extracurricular activity, yearning to play with the neighbor kids, and his parent's answer was always the same: studies come first. You don't have time to play. Sports are just going to be a waste.

Rosho holds the ball tightly in his hands. At least it stops them from shaking, but he can't do it, he can't throw it, not in front of all these people. ]

Can I do something else, p-please? Not, not this, I don't... I don't think they'll enjoy watching me...

[closed] zany face

DAY THREE 🎋 closed to Sasara

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DAY FIVE 0️⃣ closed to Rei

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DAY TWO 🌔 closed to Jyushi

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DAY ONE ⚖ closed to Hitoya

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