"Let's 'meat' for beef bowls" and Other Flirts That Just Don't Work

[boxingemperor]

Characters: Akihiko, Mitsuru, and Shura + Shinjiro and Minato (It's a 2-in-1 log!). Other people are welcome to attempt to stop the madness or receive terrible flirting attempts.
Setting: Various floors
Format: Either is fine
Summary: Tape player madness and terrible attempts at flirting + Akihiko reunites with Mitsuru in possibly the worst way. BONUS: Minato and Shinjiro attempt to become more than just friends. /popcorn.gif
Warnings: gore, loss of eyes, more will be added if needed

If transporting people en masse from this Hinoto-Ri place was the experiment, then Akihiko had seen the worst of it already. And it was actually pleasant; Shinjiro arrived, along with the person he never thought he'd see again; his little sister Miki, all grown up. But friends or no friends, life goes on.

Akihiko has already showered, and is in the process of dressing for the day.

That's when he hears the music start to play. The tune sounds bouncy and playful. "Lovely ladies waiting for a bite, waiting for the customers that only come at night." The song plays quietly, and Akihiko goes to look for the source after his pants are on. He discovers the tape player in a different shower stall, but decides to leave it be. It must belong to someone on the floor. Maybe they like to sing in the shower.

"They'll come back for it. Too bad the network's down." He could've let the owner know.

He returns to the rest of his clothes...and decides not to put them on. He carries his shirt and sweater vest under his arm and leaves the bathroom with his toiletries. Girls will be impressed by his lean physique and all those cool-looking battle scars. If not, then he'll just have to win them with words. It's Valentine's Day today anyway, right? And Tohko left him chocolate. That means the ladies do like him! He can't possibly lose.

Except that he totally can.

And that is just the start of what these god-awful machines are about to do the lives of the members of SEES within the Tower.

Comments

[demifemme]

You know what sucks on Valentine's? Being stuck in yet another world, away for your loved ones. You know what else sucks? Not being able to run. Shura is therefore slowly working her way up the dormitory floors, looking for a spare bed. She happens to be on the second floor when Akihiko leaves the bathroom. She smiles and waves at him. After all, he's been nice when she arrived.

[boxingemperor]

Wow, he really does have charm. The female Hitoshura is smiling at him. This means she is obviously lonely and wants a warrior to hang out with, like him. He smiles back.

"Hey beautiful."

He's off to a rolling start. You have to move slowly at first.

[demifemme]

Shura chuckles a bit at his greeting. Hey, being called beautiful on this is always good in Shura's book. It certainly helped her forget she had not found a bed yet and that she was still carrying her crutches for stairs. "You're looking pretty good yourself."

[boxingemperor]

"I don't think those crutches can handle any more of your good looks. Need a hand?"

...It looks like he's taken a step backwards now. But he doesn't seem to feel that way.

[demifemme]

Well, it sure was a bit weird, but Shura didn't seem to mind too much. At least she wasn't running off. "Well, I could use a break..."

[mustnotfalter]

If Akihiko felt like someone's eyes were on him as he made his way through the tower, well, that was probably because he had keen instincts. Where he went, Mitsuru was not far behind - she'd almost felt pulled towards him, ever since hearing that song. She wouldn't have been able to explain why if you'd asked her.

She really ought to speak to him, she thinks. She should say something, perhaps compliment him on the rather appealing sight he makes when he hasn't got a shirt on. Très bien, she would say, and then the two of them would...

Well, she was getting ahead of herself. For now, she just had to follow Akihiko wherever he went and wait for an opportune moment. She would certainly be kicking herself for this later, once her mind was clear and the influence of the tape recorders had faded - but at the moment she was wholly focused on her goal.

[boxingemperor]

In the right mindset, Akihiko would be looking over his shoulder rather often, especially by himself. There are too many silent monsters in the tower who'd like to kill him. But under the tape player's effects, he's more worried about hitting on people than defending himself.

This means he's wide open to be preyed upon by by anything and anyone...

He groans, frustrated that people seem to be avoiding him.

[mustnotfalter]

Finally, the moment seems right. Mitsuru brings both her hands up to her cheeks to make sure they aren't too flushed - and satisfied that she's sufficiently prepared, she stops tailing Akihiko and steps out of hiding to greet him.

"Akihiko, there you are," She says, a small smile playing on her lips. She didn't see how this could go wrong at all - Akihiko was here and so was she! There wasn't anything to interrupt them.

That was good. She'd hate to have him too distracted by someone else...

[boxingemperor]

Was that...Mitsuru!?

Akihiko turns around, a mixture of emotions flooding his mind. He's so glad to see her, and that she's okay...but the music overpowers him, and instead of a relieved greeting, she gets more of his horrible flirting.

"Hey gorgeous, heaven's missing one of it's..." How did that one go? "Heaven misses you."

[mustnotfalter]

The blush was back, and Mitsuru could tell because of the way she felt her cheeks warming up - but that was okay, wasn't it? It was only understandable...

She closes the distance between them and puts a hand on his arm.

"How can it be missing me," She begins, her voice soft, "If I'm in heaven right now? After all, you're here. That's enough for me."

[celebrity_commentator]

[Okay, so Sanada-san is here, with uniform, and with collar. That means he's a different one from the one in Hinoto-Ri, but also still probably from before the Grand Prix incident. What would cause something like this...]

[While she's coming to these conclusions and wondering whether to strike up a conversation, feel free to make the first move, Akihiko.]

[boxingemperor]

[New and unfamiliar faces only steel Akihiko more. He leans against the wall and drops his clothes beside him, crossing his arms and smiling.]

Well, hey there.

[celebrity_commentator]

[Not previously observed activity, but...wait, who is she, Naoto?]

Hi! Doing alright today?

[boxingemperor]

Doing much better now that you're around.

[celebrity_commentator]

Oh, have we met before?

[Seriously. This Tower is really confusing. She's met him, of course, but it wasn't the other way around in Hinoto-Ri.]

[fools_journey]

It seems as though Lovely Ladies is a popular choice for tape players around the tower, for Akihiko is not the only one who hears it as the morning wears on. The collar-less Minato, too, catches its strains floating through part of the dormitory. He never really isolates where it's coming from, however, as he gets distracted by an irresistible impulse to find people. He wonders vaguely if he may be going insane, as organizing a repeat of a certain beachside hunt from months ago seems almost like a good idea. But he quickly dismisses the thought, as he straightens a little and starts on out. Clearly the best places to find people would cafeterias and lounge rooms - and oh, wasn't there a haunted game room?

He spends a while wandering, and after delays here and there as delightful, attractive people demand his attention along the way, he winds up in one of the lounges where he sees a familiar friend gazing out the window. Smiling to himself, Minato comes to stand beside Shinjiro. "Good morning, senpai," he greets cheerfully.

[themortalhalf]

He's seen enough for Animus to get an idea something is off today. He hasn't been close enough to hear much of the music—just vague strains of noise that haven't gotten to his head yet and form words. But it's different from normal, and from what he understands, anything different is wrong, and it's something to be wary about, even if almost every floor here has metaphorical caution tape criss-crossed all over it, and about as inviting as barbed wire.

He's explored enough of it. Climbed the steps like he's climbed Tartarus'. Seen things that were pleasant that weren't really underneath, seen things that weren't—though he's avoided what floors he's been warned about as best he can. He knows he probably shouldn't be walking around alone, not here, but he needs his space. He needs room to think and mull over everything he's seen here and been told. He has to wonder about how they're supposed who they need to find, how the hell they're going to get back to Hinoto-ri and when that will even be, and if it's even possible to bring the others trapped here with them. He doesn't want to leave Aki here. He doesn't want to leave Ken. Or Mitsuru. Chidori. Even Jin doesn't deserve being trapped here. He's a jackass, but he's still a human being.

Shinjiro had come up here to find that space and quiet. Look out the windows and see what little there is to see. It's high up, and the stars are impressive when you can see them. Feels real enough, and as far as he's seen, monsters don't really come here, though there are a couple of heart-shaped tape players scattered around the lounge area that Shinjiro's smart enough not to touch.

When he becomes aware of Minato's presence, he looks over, staring at him for a few long seconds, wondering why the hell he sounds so goddamn cheerful for. Did Miki give him chocolates or something?

Be about that time back home, wouldn't it? Tch.

He doesn't want to think about it. Doesn't want to start missing people that aren't here.

"Morning." He looks around, finding no one, he frowns imperceptibly. "You shouldn't be wandering around this place on your own."

[fools_journey]

Minato laughs lightly and nudges Shinjiro with his shoulder as he says, "I know you're a strong, tough guy, but neither should you. It's always good to have someone to... watch your back."

Maybe he's thinking about the same kind of back-watching that Teen Beat had suggested for Akihiko...

[themortalhalf]

Huh?

The nudge is unexpected. It earns Minato a raised brow, because last he checked, Minato usually wasn't this... physically communicative. He seemed more content to keep his hands in his pockets and his body in a corner. Even what he says seems... slightly off, not because of what he says, but how he says it.

"That supposed to be some kind of damn punchline?"

Because it if was, he's not getting the joke.

[fools_journey]

Amused, Minato shakes his head. "Not unless it's your punch line."

He leans against Shinjiro a little, looking up at him through his bangs. "Come on - smile a little. You're cuter when you smile."

[notsogrimreaper]

[Ryoji'd just been making his usual rounds in the Tower when Akihiko left the bathroom. At first, he doesn't even see anything wrong, so he just waves. But that hand drops just slightly, and he gives Akihiko an odd look. Well, whatever. He was an athlete... athletes did that, right?]

Akihiko-sempai! Hey!

[boxingemperor]

Hey Ryoji.

[Not Mochizuki. Ryoji. Huh.]

I need your help, there's something wrong with my eyes...

ahhhh the late I'm so sorry ;A;

[notsogrimreaper]

[Ryoji blinks a bit at how casual Akihiko seems, but it's not too weird. Everyone needs to loosen up once in a while, right?

Besides, what's more important is the fact that Akihiko sounds like he's in trouble! Ryoji immediately rushes closer, worriedly peering at him.]

W-What's wrong? Can you see okay?

don't worry!

[boxingemperor]

Yeah, but all I see is you. [He half-purrs.

This is not normal for him at all, obviously. But he looks so happy to see him!]

^^

[notsogrimreaper]

...Akihiko-sempai, are you feeling alright? You're acting strange.

[He's just... trying to restrain himself from flipping out because what is going on Ryoji's supposed to be the flirty one!]