brother_nature | Golden Peacock

Oh you're free to try! Think ya can do it, Miss Yuzu?

[Now that's a game he's willing to play. Is she actually unpleasant or does she just think she is? Time to find out.]

If ya can actually tick me off, I'll pay ya back in kind with a good ol' stab, how's that?

[A real stab? Or a verbal one? Well, either way he can't get at her unless they both press that button. Right? So—]

Before that, tell me more about your brother. What's his name?

[Why not both!!

Though he does hesitate for just a moment. His brother IS his weakness but eh, he's not here, not like she can actually do anything. . .]

Aza Toma, my little brother and second in command. He's just as deadly as I am, for the record.

Oh, I don't doubt it in the slightest. But what's he look like? Tall or short? Muscular or lithe? Fine or thick hair?

[There's a purpose to this, but it won't matter if he can just say, "well it's not as if you could pick him out of a crowd."]

[Suddenly his voice ticks up, not unlike a proud papa listing off the achievements of their kids. It's a stark difference to all the other murder shit he was on about.]

Probably taller than ya, but just a centimeter or two shorter than me. Fair skin, lean as hell. Not one scratch on him ever! Long, silky dark hair--went through a short cut phase a bit but I'm glad he grew it back out, heh!

He used to get picked on when he was little for being so pretty, but that just served him well as he grew. No one ever suspects the noble pretty boy to be a deadly swordsman.

Goodness, that's an incredibly detailed reply! Thank you. Now I know enough that I can probably make sure I'm the first one to fuck him if he ever shows up.

[Considering how worked up this man was earlier about the possibility of his brother interacting with anyone, Rin is betting on this gambit to be her proof of being able to piss him off.]

[Wow.

She is absolutely correct. There's a BANG against the wall.]

Oi oi! You don't get a choice in that! Like I said, he only deserves the best of the best!

[Tohsaka begins laughing. Bright and confident in contrast to his heated anger.]

There it is! I think we both can agree — I've won this round, haven't I?

Ya know I could find ya and squeeze ya til ya pop, Miss Yuzu.

[A snort. He'll concede--his brother is very much his only weakness, but at least he's not actually here.]

Sure, sure, you can have the crown this time around.

If you don't like it, then don't invite it. Call me what you like, but my name is Rin.

[Honestly she's not sure what to make of him. Dangerous, but predictable so far. By her estimate he's either someone she can use or someone bound to be a colossal headache. Maybe both.]

I think I'll stick with Miss Yuzu, it fits ya.

[He's a man of many headaches, it's true. And also, a man of his word.]

Well ya got my bro's name, so I'll announce mine. Aza Chobe! The eldest and most deadly. Ya managed to tick me off a bit, so congrats! I'll have to give ya your reward nice and slow.

[Hm. She can't tell if that's a real threat or if he's flirting. It could be both? That'd be a pain in... well, whatever piece of her he's thinking of stabbing, really.]

Oh, you'll have to find me first. Do you really think you'd be able to recognize my voice without a face?

Voice, tone, mannerisms. It's like you said, you've got a pretty unique flavor.

A couple words off that sour tongue of yours, and I think I'd have my target.

[It's a safe(?) bet that it's usually both with him. And sometimes options that weren't even on the table!!]

Is that right? Be sure not to confuse me with the other varieties of citrus around the resort. You may find yourself accidentally choosing a lemon, or maybe even bergamot.

[After all, she considers both Weiss and Mona to be close enough to fit the bill. Though due to her self-loathing nature she doesn't have a high opinion of either of them, despite exchanging cards more than once.]

It would be a shame if another woman received my hard-earned prize.

I may not be as high and mighty as you, but my taste is impeccable. Everyone's got somethin' distinct about 'em, I ain't gonna be fooled by anything less bitter.

But if you're that worried, ya could just show me yer pretty little face right now.

[HE'LL hit the button, but it's up to her if she wants to take that gamble.]

[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?

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