brother_nature | Golden Peacock

[If she doesn't take the gamble, she's a coward. If she doesn't hit that button she could very well write the demise of one of the other girls who reflect her personality so well. Neglecting to hit that button also invites the possibility that if he does correctly corner her in the future, it could be an ambush.

At least here she'll know. Rin stands. Her muscles tense and ready for an attack. She's at least pretty positive if he has a weapon it'll either be a fake prop from the toy chest, but people without weapons are still dangerous. As someone with magic and proficiency in bajiquan she knows that well enough.]

Very well, come on over.

[And with a decisive press she signals for the partition to lower.]

[Honestly? He hadn't expected much from her. Whether he's bluffing or not, it's just common sense to keep your guard up and protect yourself, so he had no high hopes of her actually complying. So color him surprised when the wall lowers, and she's standing right there in all her haughty glory. On her end, he's probably exactly what she pictured. Rough, covered in scars, one bad eye, almost a caricature of bandits from olden times. Almost. He cracks a grin.]

Huh! And here I was expecting a wrinkly prune from how ya talked.

[He suddenly holds up an arm, and that's all the warning she gets before a thick, thorny vine splits from his skin, whipping over to try and grab her, yank her closer.]

So, Miss Sourpuss! Since ya played fair and square and all that, I'll let you choose--exactly where do ya want me to hurt ya?

[Having not expected him to come at her with an ability like that (she should know better) the most she can do in the immediate moment is block with her left arm. That vine is able to curl around her wrist, thorns pricking her skin, and he successfully pulls her in closer. However it's not without resistance. Tohsaka plants her feet enough that he'll have to drag her with a bit of effort — drawing her across the floor of their now connected pods.]

Oh, you weren't just flirting with me? I thought strong men were immune to being sore losers.

[She knows that's a lie. Most people here don't roll over so easily. So she readies magical energy at the tip of her right index finger. What she does by gathering power there is essentially begin layering enough power in a condensed area to create a magical bullet. Something she won't use just yet, but intends to protect herself with if he does more than get up close and personal.]

Nah, I'm a degenerate and prideful as fuck! Can't let my rep get challenged so easily, ya know?

[He is nothing if not honest. Like, a horrible person! But honest. From his perspective, she just looks like a normal girl, so any magic tricks she's gearing up go completely unnoticed for now. He brings his face close to hers, baring those sharp, jagged teeth.]

But look at you, still mouthing off even in this situation. I even gave ya a chance to get out of this! Not scared, or are ya just as prideful, tryin' to save face. . .?

'Course, if you're gonna surprise me, now's the time.

Is that right? Thanks for the invitation.

[Honestly? "Just a normal girl," is exactly what she wants to look like. It's exactly why she works out, but not enough to show muscle definition. It's why she keeps her hair perfectly placed and her clothes primly pressed. If people assume she's a vapid vanity project then maybe she'll be underestimated.

His provocation is all she needs. With his face so close to hers, Rin expects his field of view to be obscured. With that in mind she lifts her right hand and shoots off that magic bullet. Her intent is to pierce his shoulder. A serious wound, but in no way fatal. After all, she wouldn't want to be punished by the Mating Season staff for ruining the pod.]

[She's right on the money, especially with having one blind eye. Even her moving her hand doesn't raise any alarms, with him assuming she'll just try to get away from the vine. . .and then bam. It's not a bullet, he's not sure what it is, but fuck if it doesn't hurt. He's startled enough that he releases her on instinct, the vine retracting into his arm as his whole body recoils from the impact.]

Shit! Everyone's got their own bag of tricks here, huh?

[His shoulder's bleeding something fierce for the moment, and maybe she's prepping herself for retaliation, but instead he just, starts laughing. Laughing and laughing, and then begins pulling off his shirt using his uninjured arm.

He's covered in scars of course, but that's normal, no surprise there. No, what stands out is that wound? The blood's already drying up, the wound itself closing, stitching together. Vine-like tattoos creep over his arm as it does so, and within moments, he can move his arm again. He rolls his shoulder before shooting Rin a grin, then taps at the middle of his chest.]

Nice try, though kinda bummed ya didn't go for a kill shot. Wanna try that again, Miss Yuzu?

[He releases Rin and she takes that chance to put a few steps of distance between them. When he moves, when his stance shifts, she wants to be able to see it.]

Not really, no. You get penalized for damaging the property here, you know, and death isn't really permanent either. You'd just come back at some point itching to hit me again. I haven't killed anyone myself either, but since making sure there are enough of us to trade cards is important, I'd assume there's a penalty for that too.

Oh, I know. They've probably got a cell waitin' for me after this. Pride myself on getting a rap sheet as soon as possible! [A flex or a flunk? Mayhaps both.]

You couldn't kill me even if that weren't a feature, but I gotta give ya a little credit--expected more screaming or flailing from you frail types.

[Frail types? Sure, she'll let him have that.]

Before I showed up here I was a part of a fight to the death for a wish-granting vessel. Compared to that, this place is relatively easy to get by in.

[Easier to win? Not for someone like her. Easier to avoid death and eventually reach her goal after a long time of figuring out who is actually willing to put up with her? Yeah, that.]

--hah?

[Welp, that gets his attention, eyebrow raised. Even if he was posed to attack again, he drops the tension in his body, crossing his arm and cocking his head in curiosity instead.]

Did you win?

I was pulled here before it concluded. Nobody had won just yet, but I was on my way to deal with my sister who was the last obstacle.

[It's more complicated than that. What with their separation, and being raised by rival mage families.]

Aaah, disappointing. I thought ya might be similar, but guess not. Ya got some magic tricks, but you're still on most normal folks' level.

[Even though that small bullet packed a punch, but he's experienced similar techniques. Wild to him that these situations pop up all over, even in different worlds, it seems.]

You seem like a well off rich bitch--the hell do you need a wish for? That ain't the kind of thing people like you should be chasing after.

At first I didn't have a wish. All I wanted was to win. After all, my family had been hosting the ritual in our territory for roughly two hundred years.

[And what better way to prove herself as a worthy heir than to lay claim to the Holy Grail?]

Either way, it doesn't much matter here.

Hah! A fuckin' host? You are up there with the lords and ladies, ain't ya? Sounds to me someone wanted to show off for mama and papa.

[When you're already on top of society, you don't have to prove shit. Best to keep your cards close to you and let those beneath you run around, he thinks. Only exert power when needed. . .which, is a bit hypocritical, with as much as he boasts and flaunts. He shakes his head.]

Nah, I'm thinking you're pretty lucky. Cuz what if you had died in your little vanity battle? Pride don't mean much if you're dead.

In a sense, maybe, but my father died ten years prior, and my mother not long after that.

[In her case the ritual isn't highly regarded in typical mage circles and as such her family is only considered standard at best - as far as mage families go.]

As far as luck goes, I wouldn't really agree. None of my opponents really could match me, and my luck is actually quite terrible. I mean, I ended up in here with you, didn't I? Someone more interested in shedding blood than collecting cards.

Hooh, my condolences. You sound real choked up about it. [Likely just time and her stating it as a simple fact, but damn girl.

Then that gets a laugh out of him. Shots fired.]

There's that sour yuzu rearing its head again! Kind of a skill to talk yourself up and take a shot at me in one swoop. Though if you were really that good, I doubt ya would've ended up here.

[There are a lot of powerful people here of course, but he figures she would have won her little home game already if she were that good. Then again, he thought the same about himself.]

If ya rather I fuck ya than kill ya, you could just say so. But I figured spice ain't exactly to your taste.

The real question is if all that focus on bloodshed makes you boring otherwise. Would you rather have a few test runs with other guests before deciding to tackle me?

[The last time she met someone overly confident about throwing around their weight (Narumi Gen) he ended up as a disappointment. Mostly due to his self-centered nature which meant the man got off but Rin left less than satisfied.

Well, that and he lied to her about his rank. So Rin ended up losing her chance at a payout.]

[ Wow. Wow!! He stomps over, looming over her.]

Hey now, I said you could try and piss me off, but that's just insultin'! I ain't gotta prove shit to no one, but you think I'm gonna let you get away with that?? Don't lump me with some no name sad chumps.

[With about seven inches he has over her, Rin certainly has to look up when he gets that close.]

Oh, get away with what? I didn't even say anything concrete about you. Are you that upset about baseless conjecture?

Yea.

[Just, says it heckin' bluntly. How dare she imply he ain't shit??]

That's how rumors and shit start, and I don't got time for that nonsense. I've got a rep to keep up. If folks don't die permanently then that means I gotta deal with idiots even after I shut 'em up by rippin' out their throats. So best just cut it off at the source!

Is that right? Are you going to teach me a lesson about running my mouth?

[A devilish grin spreads across her lips. Truth be told, she likes being a thorn in someone's side. A pill, a brat, or whatever else you'd like to call it.]

[She's not beating the yuzu flavor allegations!! He's quiet for a moment, narrowing his eye, before reaching over to cup her chin in his hand.]

Maybe I oughta.

How about a bet?

[Taking pride in how she has gotten under his skin, Rin allows him to touch and hold her as he likes.]

I'm listening. What are your terms?

We do it, right here and now.

I get you to scream, you take that back.

If ya don't--you hold anything in, don't make a peep, you can say whatever you want about me, and I ain't allowed to try and kill ya. [A beat.] For like a month, at least.

[He knows his own limitations okay, he's very bad at not trying to kill things. But after the one two combo of insulting his brother AND his ability, he's gotta try something dammit.]

[She can't help it. Immediately Rin bursts into laughs. Meanwhile one of her hands settles at his waist, and she moves closer.]

A month! Ah, self-restraint isn't your strongest ability. Okay, okay. I agree!

[The laughter spilling from her may seem mocking, but it's got an edge of sincere amusement to it. A portion not touched by malice or judgment. Instead it's just bright, and warm.]

Have you slept with anyone before?

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

Whoops misfire

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject