IZOU'S PALACE

[goei]

KYOTO BAKUMATSU PALACE
You find yourself in historical Kyoto at night. The city is shadowy and beautiful, elegant but hostile. It's a sophisticated city, but you don't belong there and it knows it. Everyone knows it. You are being watched.

Worst of all, a terrible demon haunts the streets of this powerful capital city.

Eli Walsh, Kirumi Tojo, Still Sunrise, Argenti, Yi Sang, Celeste, Mafuyu Asahina, and McGillis Fareed, do you dare journey into hell?

 

♪♪♪

Comments

[cirquedesang]

[Ah. Some part of him is glad that the beating doesn't have to continue, that Izou is... starting to come back to himself.

Even if he has to rip his heart open and be painfully honest, first.

The doors to hell are open, and now it's time to ensure Izou doesn't slam the doors to his heart shut.

So he steps over to Izou carefully and kneels on the floor next to him, trails fingertips feather-light over the scar around his neck until he can cup his chin in his hands and make Izou look up at all of them.]

They didn't deserve you, Izou. You don't have to force yourself to move on, if it is not in your heart to do so, but have pride in your loyalty and stand tall.

[goei]

[Izou flinches away from the touch, though he does keep his head turned up... for now.]

I don't care about who do or don't deserve shit. I followed them 'cause I wanted to.

[cirquedesang]

[And for now, he'll stay present, let there be ease of contact whenever Izou relaxes enough to no longer flinch away, let it look like an accident, if that's all his pride will allow.]

Good.

[There's resolve in that statement. It's something to build on, to stand on, if Izou can find the strength to do so - and something in the present to pull himself up by.]

And what is it you want now? Right now, in this second. Don't try to think about your answer - you've said you're not good at thinking, anyway, and I'm not entirely sure I believe that, but... thinking is pulling you down, right now.

[Izou might not be an intellectual, but that didn't mean he was incapable of becoming lost in his thoughts - especially thoughts as dark as he'd been allowing himself to wallow in.]

[goei]

[Honestly?]

... I feel like I've been stuck here fer ages. Right now I wanna eat some good food and then go ta sleep.

[cirquedesang]

That's a start.

[One foot in front of the other.]

And after that, can you do something for me? [For him. A flimsy little shield, if Izou's pride demanded it.] Reach out more often. I don't want to find you drunk and depressed on your beanbag again, at least not alone. It doesn't have to be me, either. Go fight with Eli, or steal some food from one of the talented kids who keep cooking. Ryoma isn't here, but he's not the only idiot who's fond of you.

[goei]

... Dunno why any of you care about me, him included.

[But they worked their way here through this weird place, fought hard and then still chose to spare him. That's... something.]

But... Ok. I mean, I can try at least.

[cirquedesang]

Do we need a reason?

[Sure, he could probably pin some down if Izou really wanted to be embarrassed, but, hey, he said he'd try, and that's a huge step.]

If it's too hard, then bitch about me to anyone that'll listen. For making you try.

[goei]

S'not like yer the only one asking me to. But I guess yer the easiest ta blame.

[cirquedesang]

I am indeed prone to making ridiculous requests. Now. Another one.

[Going to smoosh Izou's cheeks in his hands. Is this better or worse than Eli's headpats? Doesn't matter, it's probably a one-time thing.]

Get up. Remind me, again, who you are.

[goei]

[He's so confused by this gesture he doesn't even resist it. Discombobulated into acceptance.]

Okada Izou?
[HE'S SO CONFUSED. HE HASN'T SEEN THE LION KING.]

[cirquedesang]

[Discombobulated into acceptance is his M.O. lbr. Watch out.]

What was that?

[IT'S NOT EVEN A REFERENCE this time. He will bully you into getting some of your bravado and fake it till you make it self-esteem back just you wait.]

[goei]

You crack your head or something!? I told you, I'm Okada Izou! From Tosa!

[LISTEN UP YOU UNDEAD BULLY!!!]

[cirquedesang]

Aah? And who is that? I've never heard of him.

[Okay, that much was true before they met, but like. You know. You're getting there, Izou.]

[goei]

[He's going to get through this entire bit without understanding what Celeste is trying to accomplish.]

Oi oi, I'm sittin' right in front of you! I'm Okada Izou! The sword genius manslayer of the revolution!!! Now ain't the time fer yer jokes, Celeste!!

[cirquedesang]

[Just as planned, honestly.]

Ah, there he is. Thank you for reminding me~

[goei]

[Help.]

Did you hit yer head when I wasn't looking?

[HE'S STILL CONFUSED.]

[cirquedesang]

Not at all. Welcome back to us, Okada Izou, sword genius manslayer of the revolution.

[BE CONFUSED FOREVER.]

[goei]

[He is still ????? but.... At least he's simmering down.]

... Why'd you throw yer shoes.

[cirquedesang]

[...You saw that????]

...They weren't flexible.

[goei]

[I decided he has a vague sense of what happened away from him.]

... So? How much do you gotta be able ta bend yer feet.

[cirquedesang]

Hm...

[Good question! And he doesn't have the most satisfying answer, but hey, maybe as a sword genius Izou will understand.]

It is... not so much a 'gotta' as it is what I am used to and any supernatural aid to my balance is missing, at present. [Or to put it another way--] Like if you were to attempt your usual sword techniques with a western broadsword. [Not impossible, but uncomfortable and inconvenient.]

[goei]

He grimmaces just imagining such a thing.]

I guess if ya put it like that... Though then you got burned anyway for it.

[cirquedesang]

Mmhm. A risk I was taking when I threw them.

[Not so much the... burning specifically, but. Getting injured.]

[goei]

What I don't get is why you guys got different clothes in th'first place. Not like yer servants so ya can't get spiritron dress or nothin.

[cirquedesang]

[Because we wanted to and mods said yes--]

Perhaps you simply wished to see us like this.

[He has no clue, but when in doubt: tease.]