Nine-Nine Heart - Run 1

[idolpro]

[It's time for a new an exciting place, right? A land of adventure and fun and excitement!

Wait? Then why does this look like Tokyo-F. Like a Tokyo-F that has seen better days.

A dark purple haze has settled over the city, thick and suffocating, oppressive and heavy. The sky above is filled with yawning teeth and blinking eyes stare back at you. Buildings lie in tatters and their remains litter the landscape.

A few proud buildings still stand tall! The most prominent one among them - THE GAME TOWER. Though it is sporting more of an evil villain castle vibe than you remember. And it certainly used to be taller and not leaking out that purple smoke filling the air. Nonetheless it stands as a beacon in the city, the focal point in the ruin around you.

A voice echos in your head. "Find the Dark Master."

GAME START!]

Comments

[rollwillpowercheck]

Don't you know? Players always end up doing what you least expect in a game.

[rollwithdisadvantage]

Yes, I keep forgetting that. It's a lesson I should take to heart.

[rollwillpowercheck]

It's not really something you can plan for, though.

[rollwithdisadvantage]

I can with time. I have the patience for it.

[rollwillpowercheck]

Hmm. Don't you think you've already given yourself enough unfair advantages?

[rollwithdisadvantage]

You deterred one of them. Cheating in my game. I should throw you out.

[rollwillpowercheck]

You're going to say that while wearing my face? Really?

[rollwithdisadvantage]

Hoh?

[He leans back in his chair and steeples his fingers.]

Tell me. Why do you think I'm in this predicament to begin with? Why he's in this predicament? Dead. Gone. Could it be perhaps that you and I could never work together? Is it worth it?

[rollwillpowercheck]

Don't be silly. Whatever happened in the past isn't as important as what's between us now.

[walks up to stand next to his chair.]

If you're part of him, then obviously we can work together -- when he's acting as a whole. But if you want complete control over him, then no. I can't work with you.

[rollwithdisadvantage]

Isn't it important? The past. I hear echos of you all saying the same thing. You. The High Priest. The Pharaoh. How little you all appreciate how much the past truly does matter.

[Attempting to trail fingers under Anubis' chin.]

It matters more than this place. These Producers. This Hell. At least for him it does.

[He chuckles.]

Complete control is a fantasy. But I can see you have something on your mind. What are your terms?

[rollwillpowercheck]

There are things about the past that matter, but... given the situation we're all in, I think they probably matter less than they might otherwise. You're saying it's different for him, though.

[he doesn't move away, standing his ground.]

I don't have anything as concrete as terms. I just want what's best for him, and I'm not sure an eternal internal battle is it. But I don't think losing a part of himself would necessarily help, either.

[rollwithdisadvantage]

Firm, yet pragmatic. And able to see the big picture. There is a reason why we waited so long for you, my dear host.

[Pulling on his hair to kiss him but it is all teeth and possession.]

[rollwillpowercheck]

[HM.

makes a small sound into the kiss, something surprised and just a little pained. he doesn’t not kiss back, but it’s definitely not the easy enthusiasm kisses from Nine usually elicit as a response. one of his hands comes to rest on 99’s shoulder, and after a moment he pushes a little, breaking the kiss.]

You’d sacrifice me, even if I am your dear host.

[rollwithdisadvantage]

[Licking his lips after the fact.]

I absolutely would.

[rollwillpowercheck]

Sorry, but I can't get behind that. Like I said, I'm interested in what's best for him overall -- but I'm also not without self-interest. And I think those two things line up, in this case.

Why do you even want to destroy everything?

[rollwithdisadvantage]

You make an incorrect assumption. I do no wish to destroy everything. I wish to be reborn. To live. Is that really too much to ask?

If you want what is best for him, then I would take some time and really figure out what that means. People won't be as curious or as forgiving as you are. Even your friends murdered him back in your home world. And they didn't shed a lick of remorse after the fact. What you think is best for him might just in fact lead him to ruin.

[Taking lots of liberties with that last bit. So many.]

[rollwillpowercheck]

You are living right now. Aren't you? Or are you saying you want to be a separate existence?

And whatever happened back home... it won't happen again. I don't know all the details yet, but we'll do better this time.

[rollwithdisadvantage]

Full control. Not this existence I'm bound to.

[He laughs. One without any mirth.]

Then I look forward to your best effort. I will be helping of course.

[rollwillpowercheck]

You sound like you consider yourself to be completely separate from him.

[rollwithdisadvantage]

I am. He enjoys the thought of us being more equal, but that's a foolish notion. He is simply surviving.

[rollwillpowercheck]

You're not doing a great job of making a case for yourself.

[rollwithdisadvantage]

You'd see right through me if I were lying. And I'm quite sure that would cause more concern than my bluntness. But keep me content, and we won't have a problem.

Besides, I think you'll find him much less intriguing if I weren't around.

[Motioning for him to come over.]

[rollwillpowercheck]

[steps closer...]

What do you mean?

[rollwithdisadvantage]

Your fascination with the unworldly things. The occult. Monsters. Magic. Yes, I have to compete with this place you are trapped in now, but before...

[Trailing a hand over his cheek.]

I'm the reason you keep coming back.

[rollwillpowercheck]

[seems to consider this, taking a moment to respond.]

Maybe that was the case. I don't know. You're right, I'm definitely interested in that kind of thing. But here... that's not what drew me to him. To you.

[gestures as though to encompass the room, the board, both 99s]