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]

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]

[rollwithdisadvantage]

Ah. You'll have to be a little more specific. Unless your answer is simply all of it

[Trailing that hand further down his neck.]

[rollwillpowercheck]

No. There's a whole list of things I could say. He makes me laugh, I like his reactions when I tease him... but it's a lot simpler than that. We understand each other. We might not always agree, but we understand, and that's... I don't know. It feels invaluable.

[rollwithdisadvantage]

[Encircling his neck with one hand. If he was squeezing it would be choking him, but very light pressure right now.]

To be known. Such a simple thing. Yes. We can work together. No one will ever know you like I do.

[rollwillpowercheck]

[doesn't seem overly concerned with the situation, honestly. he gently grips the wrist of the hand on his neck, but doesn't try to tug it away or anything.]

But it goes both ways.

[rollwithdisadvantage]

[Suddenly squeezing tightly with more force than one hand should have.]

Don't presume to know me, ■̨͞■͟■͢͠͠■̨͢■̕■͟■■̨̕͟■̢҉

[Even though the words don't reach his ears, he'll know that is hisname. Its almost insulting that this creature, this facet of a person would know something so vital to him that is lost.]

[rollwillpowercheck]

[yikes.

his expression shifts to one of surprise, and whatever he was going to say in response comes out as a choked wheeze instead. he immediately starts struggling to get free, yanking and scrabbling with nails at this 99's hand and wrist. the look in his eyes isn't one of panic, though -- if anything, Anubis seems... unimpressed. disappointed, maybe.

all that knowledge untouched by amnesia, and this is how he chooses to act.]

[rollwithdisadvantage]

[Bringing his other hand up and squeezing further. Anubis probably draws lines of red and blood for his efforts. He just seems to be ignoring the pain. As for everyone else in the room, well, they seem to have stopped moving except for the two of them.

He brings his face closer.]

There will be a time when you are no longer needed.

[rollwillpowercheck]

[well, hopefully Zorc!99 enjoys Anubis' face all screwed up in the automatic desperation of someone being choked. it's painful, it's hard to breathe, he feels like he can barely hear over the roaring in his ears--

he kicks out blindly, still struggling.]

[rollwithdisadvantage]

[Of course he does.

He drops him suddenly before the edges of his vision even begins to fade to black. Arrogance is up over 9000 as he watches for his reaction.]

[rollwillpowercheck]

[stumbles, then doubles over, coughing and clutching his throat. please hold as he gasps and wheezes for a moment.

when he straightens up, there are tears at the corner of his eyes, but it looks like it's from the exertion rather than emotion. his face is red, and he still has one hand curled protectively over his throat.

but he doesn't look scared. he looks... annoyed.]

And what was tha--

[stops, coughing, and starts again.]

What was that supposed to accomplish?