high_seas | [Closed] If someone refuses, do the normal thing and make them!

Entry tags:

[Closed] If someone refuses, do the normal thing and make them!

Who: Yu, Izanami, Grell, and later Undertaker
Where: Some back alley
When: Backdated to Friday evening
What: The Bloody Roses need one last crew member. Izanami mentioned her hope representative. Yu wants to stay away and go find his friends then realizes that he's pretty much screwed anyway.
Warnings: Death weirdos, kidnapping.
Style:Any style but I'm starting in prose.
Status: Closed

This was something new for Yu; being alone and without much of a plan. That strange man told everyone that they needed to get off this island by the end of the day tomorrow. But hey, at least he did actually have a boat on reserve, of course going to pay the dealer when he sails in the morning. Perhaps some of his friends or family from home have landed out there somewhere and unable to contact anyone.

Ok, he wasn't totally alone from his world here but she kind of went her own way after seeing each other on the first day. Besides, it was for the best for both of them.

He needed to get ready for tomorrow, which was just sleep. After all, he did have everything on him already except for the ship's supplies. So it was about time to head back to the inn and rest up.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

The sound of footsteps soon came behind him, one set the click clack of heels on the stone walkways, the other the soft thump of bare feet. Of course, it had taken some doing beyond the norm, but Izanami had been able to locate her hope representative, as promised. Her powers, if whatever powers that be let her have any, had yet to return to her, but that did not mean she could not sense her own influence even on an island such as this.

She waited for him to acknowledge their presence in some manner, whether it be by taking up arms or turning to speak with them peacefully. Izanami was not entirely sure how he would react to their proposal, but she was out to start a fight, though she knew it was very likely that Grell would not accept no as an answer.

This ought to be interesting.

Ah, so that was their target? Grell grinned, not bothering to b e subtle at all. The click of her heels on the cold stones was a sound she loved, for some reason. However this situation would turn out, they would be with a cook.

"Hi, cutie~!" Their presence surely had to be known by now, so why not have a bit of fun with him?

He did hear the footsteps coming his way but he decided to play along and not run. Yu turned around and noticed the two women; one he was familiar with while the other...never met. Did Izanami made a friend already?

"May I help you?" He asked, keeping his tone neutral but also keeping his guard up. Strange that the boy had very similar qualities like the woman in white, isn't it Grell?

Well, "friends" was relative, but sure, they could go with that. Izanami gave him a patient smile, motioning for Grell to hang back. She could handle her own representative, after all.

"I have considered the offer you presented me earlier, child of man," she began. "I have come to present you with a counter offer."

Child of man? That was quite an odd title to possess. It made Grell think of the likelihood this other person being in the same boat as Izanami. Grell was fine with not interfering. She really wanted to see how this encounter would turn out.

That...was a surprise. Since when did she ask him for anything considering their history?

"A counter offer?"

"Indeed," Izanami replied smoothly, a small smirk coming to her face. "I request that you join our crew. As of the moment, you are the only being I know for certain -- and would trust -- to be capable of preparing human food. Given our current crew is especially lacking that particular skill, your presence would be an asset."

Yes; she just said she could trust Yu. It wasn't a lie, as much as she hated to admit it. She did not know of anyone else, and she was vulnerable; if there was anyone she would want preparing something for her to eat, it would be him. He would not have the heart, or the ability, to sink to the level of a certain Emptiness Representative, after all.

"It's true." Grell wasn't particularly proud that she was a total failure at cooking, since she spent copious amounts of time trying to perfect her skills to no avail. "I'd rather not poison my crew on our first voyage."

...there had to be a catch. A former enemy doesn't just come up to someone and say how much they want to work with them right off the bat. Izanami did sound truthful but there was that nagging feeling in the back of his mind that believed that there was something much more hidden.

"And you're alright with it." Yu didn't ask but a direct statement to Izanami. When was she one to swallow her pride except when backed up against the wall?

Hey, you were the one that offered to show her what humanity meant first, remember that. Izanami pressed her hands together before her, contemplating an answer for a moment.

"...no," she admitted dryly, and that was an obvious truth. Of course she was not alright with it. Of course, the fact that he had beaten her played a part; she was not a sore loser, but he had still humbled her in a way she had not experienced in many years. There were also... other issues, ones she preferred not to voice at the moment. Or ever.

"But you are the only being I would come to," she finished, before a small smirk tugged at her lips. She reached out a hand to him, just an innocent handshake. "Well, child of man? What say you?"

Grell rather liked that answer and giggled a bit. "Better the devil you know, than the devil you don't." It made the most sense to go to someone you trusted enough to plot your demise behind your back. The thrill and excitement of never knowing when the fatal blow would come would never cease to be amazing.

"Darling, are you really going to turn down a lady who is, more or less, throwing herself at your feet?" She looked between them, mostly gauging Izanami's reaction because she may not like her words. Her green eyes then moved to Yu. "You'd have to be quite coldhearted!"

Is that what they're calling it? Something was up and Yu couldn't help but notice it deep within him, like a bomb ready to explode at any moment. And that stance...a handshake...just like when he had first arrived in Inaba. She had offered him one then and he ended up saving the world from her fog.

Yeah, not dealing with that again. And Grell would be getting a cool look back. He's torn on being nice to the woman who tried killing him and going on that thought of staying away so neither would have problems. And there would be problems considering Izanami's brother/ex-husband is also his main persona.

"And what about the other issue?" he brought up. Yes death goddess, he's asking about that issue because Yu sometimes lacked tact.

Izanami let out a faint noise, very well aware of what issue he was referring to. She pursed her lips into a fine line, slowly letting her hand drop. It had been a jesture out of irony, really; she had first shook his hand to start the events that would lead to them being against each other, and now she was offering her handshake in friendship. Thoughts of her once husband and the child's connection to him had... well, it wasn't the last thought on her mind, but it was not something she had overtly concerned herself with.

"It will not be an issue," she replied, her tone carefully calm.

Grell could only look between them both, as she was sure most of their conversation was veiled. What sort of secret could they be hiding, and how long before she could find it out?

She watched the person they sought out for. Don't mind her staring.

That's not creepy at all nor it doesn't feel like judging. Yu knows very well that the answer wasn't going to be easy and the fact that he still remained uncomfortable with the whole setup, he couldn't do it. It was like inviting a lion to a zebra herd expecting them to get along.

Chances are...they would not. Yu could be civil of course but the fact remains that there was too much between them and that could upset the rest of the crew if they have gathered one. He didn't want to be the reason for her life here to end up terrible; perhaps that the crew would see her not as the fearful death goddess but just a woman. And honestly, it pained him to come with this conclusion.

"I'm sorry...but I must decline your offer." he replied quietly, half way turned from the women. "There's something I need to do first."

Izanami's expression remained... surprisingly passive. Really, it was impossible to tell if she had expected that to be his answer or not. It was as if she had taken lessons in linefacing from Yu, and it was impossible to tell what her real reaction to his decline was.

"And what might that be?" she asked softly, her voice betraying nothing.

[She was prepared for this, so his decline won't phase Grell much. She'll just nod and walk off. Guess it's time for Plan B.]

If he told them, what would the chances be of them trying to use it to their advantage? Or it was just Yu being very paranoid. Either way, it kind of made him feel like shit.

"It's rather personal."

And knowing her, not an excuse.

Izanami knew what would happen when Grell started to walk off. She had been hoping to avoid that, but she knew what her roll was now; keep him distracted. She discreetly held up a hand toward the child, a motion to give her a moment as she listened to the click of Grell's heels fading off down the street, before she turned her attention back to the boy.

"You are concerned for your companions, are you not?" she asked, even though she well knew the answer. "Do not believe me so ignorant that I would miss how vital they are to your life."

"That as well." he replied quickly. "I rather not want someone to notice and reply to you being here with a kunai or a folding chair thrown at any vital parts."

While he loves his friends dearly, he didn't want them to suddenly go berserk on the powered down goddess when she hasn't done anything here. There still might be that anger directed towards her because...well, she did try to end the world somewhat.

That... was not an answer Izanami had been expecting, and she found herself at a loss for words. He wanted to keep away from her... to protect her? The thought was difficult for her to process, and her mouth worked, no sound coming out as she struggled to find a way to respond.

"I... appreciate your concern," she finally managed to get out. "However, I must express the same for you."

She folded her hands before her delicately.

"I did promise that you would be allowed to live your lives as you chose," she continued softly. "It would be inappropriate to go back on that promise, lacking in powers or not."

Ah, what a touching moment it was. As they say, though, all good things must come to an end-!

Quite suddenly, as though extending from the shadows themselves, a tall and lanky figure pressed into his back whilst wrapping an arm tightly about his form. Clamping one hand tightly over his mouth, with a nicely folded cloth therein with an odor pungent yet sweet, his hold would remain firm until the boy ceased his struggling and lost consciousness.

"Sh, shhh. Relax, lad, I only wish to put you in one of my coffins... Ehe."

Sorrynotsorry, Yu.

Edited 2013-10-01 01:52 (UTC)

He thought this was going to be a civil conversation, thinking that they would be in agreement about this arrangement. Both would be civil but keep their distance, for both of their sakes. Yu wasn't expecting someone to suddenly pop up from behind, grab him and try to knock him out.

The coffin line was also not helping either.

And boy did Yu struggle, trying to get himself out from the strange man's grasp. At first he tried to reach for the dagger he kept hidden in his jacket but the hold made him mostly unable to move his arms that far. The only other idea he had was to try and call for his persona. With the little movement he had, he tried calling the Fool but the card never showed up.

He couldn't hear Izanagi...or even feel him. It was like part of his soul was locked away and he couldn't explain why.

Izanami let out a faint noise, surprised that Undertaker had been able to move that quietly. She likely would not have even noticed had she not known it was coming. After a moment, he let out a soft sigh, her gaze truly regretful as Yu struggled against whatever Undertaker was using on him.

"...forgive me, child," she said softly. "I was not going to accept 'no' as an answer."

There was only one thought that went through his mind right now: it was a setup. He should've figured that for someone who surrounded themselves in a fog of deceit wouldn't be good to trust. If there was one expression that summed up how badly he was hurt and how he was stupid to even consider placing his trust in her...

...it would be that narrowed glare, almost piercing straight through the goddess. Whatever chance he may have had trying to be nice to her, it was off.

Whatever was on that cloth, Yu was having a hard time staying awake and losing this particular battle. His body wasn't used to being unable to summon his familiars and couldn't hold up against the attack. Under the cloth, they could hear something like 'dammit' under his breath before his body went limp.

"Nice touch~!" Grell appeared suddenly behind Izanami, arms crossed as she watched Yu fall limp. "You should thank Undertaker for not using more force."

Because she would have.

Izanami did not reply immediately, her hands clasped tightly before her. She had seen the boy give her glares like that often enough during their confrontation; when she struck at his friends, when she dragged them down into death. Why was it this time it make her chest tighten and a feeling she could not describe settle in the pit of her stomach? She was not used to such things, and it was... unsettling.

Abruptly, she spun on her heal, walking off quickly.

"Let us be away from here," she finally said. "Our deadline to be off this island fast approaches."

Undertaker would watch after Izanami a bit curiously, after such a reaction. It certainly wasn't one that he would have expected, considering that the idea had been her own. He could only figure that she had feelings for the boy.

Looking to Grell, he only raised one draping sleeve in a shrug, mouth quirked off to the side in clear dismissal, before slinging the young man over his shoulder.

"Force brings about a quick solution, but it's much less amusing, don't you think?" He quipped to the fellow reaper in passing.

As Izanami walked by briskly, Grell simply looked on at her, wondering what her deal was. Did she not like the way they handled her boyfriend?

Representative. Same thing.

"If she wanted a different outcome, then she should have had a different plan." She shrugged as well, walking with them. "A good chase would have done some good." For whom was the vital point.

To Grell's first point, he would just make a dismissive sort of sound with a flap of his sleeve. "Women are notoriously indecisive creatures, as you know," he'd chuckle playfully.

"Aaah, but perhaps you're right, I'll keep that in mind for next time . . . "

Edited 2013-10-06 00:43 (UTC)

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Closed] If someone refuses, do the normal thing and make them!

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

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