maskormenace | 005

[For someone who's officially just a part-time worker, Tetsuo sure seems to think he owns the Nonah arcade. He's updated his wardrobe to a red jacket with white fur since the last time he appeared on the network, and is currently lounging in a chair with his back to the window, idly playing with a token. Observant characters might notice he's got a few dried blood splatters on his shirt - those in the know might piece together it's from yesterday's incident with Ken. Outside you can see Kaneda pulling up on his bike, looking at a sign hanging on the arcade window, and then driving off.]

Listen up, Nonah. I only wanna say this once. There's a couple rule changes around the arcade. One, no powers allowed inside. I don't know what it is you do, and I don't care.

[Anyone still paying attention to the window behind him can see Kaneda pull up again and calmly get off his bike with a crowbar.]

You don't get to do it.

[Almost drops crowbar. Saves it.]

Two, the arcade's my territory, so if you wanna play, you better do what I tell you.

[Walks up to window. Inspects window. Inspects crowbar.]

And... oh, yeah. Heh. I almost forgot.

[Jams in window.]

Kaneda's not welcome around here, so don't bother showing up.

[Reaches in and unlocks door.]

Cause if you do, Kaneda... I won't stop this time.

[Walks in.]

We'll find out what breaks first - you or EVERYTHING ELSE!

[Tetsuo's eyes suddenly widen; he only realizes Kaneda's behind him a second before Kaneda snags Tetsuo in a headlock. Tetsuo's communicator drops to the floor, and the rest of this is recorded sideways. It’s an odd angle, but enough to get what’s happening.

Kaneda knew how to handle Tetsuo by now--aim for the head and you can bring him down. Everything Tetsuo did dealt with concentration, and if you could break it, you’re left with one weakened bully struggling for control. His elbow stays locked around that neck for as long as he can hold it, but with Tetsuo clawing to get free like an angry cat, it was proving a lot harder than he’d care to admit. ]

What the -HELL- is wrong with you?!

Get off me!

Bullying kids, now, Tetsuo? Think THIS is how you act all big and powerful?

[That grip on Tetsuo's neck turns a little tighter, but not enough to completely cut the flow of oxygen.]

You’re EXACTLY what you hate!

[Tetsuo's teeth are bared and clenched. He struggles as hard as he possibly can, eyes wide and wild with fury.]

I don’t care! At least I'M NOT YOU!

[With that, the screen flashes white as Tetsuo's shield flicks into place.]

[FIGHT GET! Replies will be from Kaneda and Tetsuo, alternate sides of the battle. If you’d prefer one or the other, state it in your subject line! Characters are free to try and reason with either of them, or get more information as they please. If they want to try and stop this physically, we do have Sabriel and Bull planned to finally take Tetsuo down, but if there’s a way your character can help that doesn’t interfere with that, then feel free to show up! There’s going to be a lot of structural damage, fleeing citizens, and yelling teenagers.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ It doesn't take her long to reach the arcade. About thirty seconds after she's disconnected she shows up outside on the sidewalk, assessing the damage before she steps inside the building, boots crunching bits and pieces of broken glass.

She heads straight for Kaneda once she spots him. ]

There you are. You sure you okay? I can check for any internal injuries.

[Wow, hope cops don't ever learn that trick, or he'd be in big trouble. Because that's impressive, and it shows in the way his eyebrows throw up.

Not that he's complaining.]

What took you so long?

[You shit.

But he extends his arms out, showing multiple cuts along them. Thankfully, the only part of him exposed that got injured. His jacket seemed to protect his back at least.]

Everything FEELS like it checks out...

[ She rolls her eyes at first, but puts aside any minor irritation to move forward and examine the cuts. It doesn't look pleasant, though it's clear he's going to be alright as long as he gets those cleaned and bandaged up in time. She lets out a relieved sigh. ]

Remember to get those disinfected before anything else.

Who am I taking to the Porter?

Will do. Think I've got a first aid kit somewhere in my bike.

[At the very least, something to wrap it up with.]

Me and the sleeping beauty over there.

[His head nods to Tetsuo, still knocked out for the moment.]

[ She casts her gaze on Tetsuo, frowning now. ]

Hardly an issue, but where are you taking him? If this is how he reacts in an arcade of all places...

Maurtia Falls.

[He won't shy away from his answer.]

The one place he won't trash with his little tantrums.

[Maurtia falls reminded him a little too much of Neo Tokyo, but at the same time, it did that for Tetsuo too. There's an air of apprehension there, and if Tetsuo's going to calm down, he's only going to if there's something bigger to fear.

Even if that fear was the atmosphere itself.]

Wait, is there an actual plan here?

[ If he's not going to turn Tetsuo in, what's he going to do? Peej doesn't have an idea of what Tetsuo's powers are exactly, nor Kaneda's and if he's capable of defending himself against the other boy or not. ]

How can you be sure he isn't going to do the same thing there?

I think so.

[Very reassuring, asshole. He walks over, though, to help hoist the guy up, bracing his legs to do so.]

For as much as this asshole breaks, there's one thing he won't--a deal.

And I'm going to make him one.

What kind of deal?

[ Her eyes slim immediately with suspicion and concern. ]

Kaneda, if you're going to get yourself hurt there's no way I can leave you alone with this guy.

[Well, he can't guarantee he won't--and he knows talking her out of something like that is out of the question. And he didn't want to, either. She knew about life back home, probably one of the only people he'd really told, too.

His eyes soften a little, losing that hard edge they'd gotten from years of being on his own. More and more he's starting to realize that there are people out there. People like Bull, who need to know what's going on, and now her, who despite only speaking a few times to him, cares about whether he makes it out of this confrontation alive.

Weird how the world just turns on its end for you, huh?]

I don't have a real power here, you know. This place gave me the ability to withstand getting my ass kicked. Guess it knew ahead of time that it'd happen. But it's hard. They don't say how much. What my limits are. I got hit by thrown -car- and came out with--

[He lifts his shirt up to about mid chest, showing only a couple scars on his back]

--and a sprained ankle.Hurt like hell, by the way.

[Kaneda, where are you going with this.]

[ The cape isn't just for show, that's for sure. Peej has a genuine and altruistic interest in keeping the peace and protecting people. She's been gifted with superpowers since her birth and the least she can do with them is use them for good.

She's also had enough failures in this world to allow another person get hurt or worse right under her nose. ]

What? [ Where is he going with that? That he can physically handle Tetsuo? Maybe... but she's finding it difficult to sign off on it just yet. ] I can't leave drop you off somewhere alone with him if he'll try to kill you. I won't; I wouldn't be able to live with myself if something happened and I could have prevented it.

You won't! I mean, if you don't want to.

[His hand goes up to reassure her, at least slightly. Because if there's one thing he's learned from what happened with Ken, it's that this isn't just one person's battle any more. The moment Tetsuo attacked Ken...the rules changed.

Bull had helped restrain him, Sabriel had helped bind him.

Help was starting to be the key word here, wasn't it. But there's a catch, as he puts his gloved finger to his lips to think.]

You're going to have to trust me a little, alright? Cause it's pretty crazy.

[ She grits her teeth initially, staring at Kaneda as she mulls over her decision. In the end it's her turn for her gaze to soften some and she nods slowly, letting out a sharp breath. ]

... I can't believe I'm saying yes, but... fine. [ She can keep an ear on them if needed. Thank Rao for superhuman senses. ] This is definitely crazy.

[That smile practically splits his face at her nod, like she'd just signed off for his field trip or something.]

Great! Because I may need a pickup after I'm done, too.

[ooc: oh man could I possibly add you to the aftermath log we've got going on for a late entry/pickup? I can PP you details we can hash out!]

[ The abrupt mood change has her more worried. ]

If you're in danger, just call for me and I'll get you out. I'll be able to hear you wherever I am.

I mean it. You better not get yourself killed.

[ She hopes she's not going to regret this. ]

( ooc: sure! let me know where/when and i can swing it! )

005 - Video

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