IC INBOX

[syncintohell]

[ There's a long pause, like someone isn't sure if his mailbox is recording yet. But there's two taps against the speaker, making sure it's on, and then a voice pronounces crisply: ]

This is Itsuki Shu. Do leave a message.

Comments

[syckophant]

You certainly aren't~

Well then, hear me! You and Fox will not speak ill of me, whether the accusations be true or false, and you, Itsuki Shu, will do for me whatever Ia ask of you henceforth.

And as long as this contract if followed EXACTLY, I will not target anyone else on taisho without reason outside of games~ A bargain for you, as I'd debated finding out if our Dear Producers would be able to replenish the ranks of your unit before I erased every member~

[syncintohell]

Are you including Fox in your protection arrangements?

[syckophant]

Of course, dear Itsuki-kun. Why would I have taken him, but for to dangle his safety in front of you? I will keep away from him as well, as long as the both of you remain loyal to this contract~

[syncintohell]

I will give my word but it will mean very little until you have my seal upon the paper, and for Fox to have done the same.

Understand, I am requiring yours first, when I arrive. Fox and I have a great deal to lose if you fail to sign it, while you have very little.

[syckophant]

Hahah~

Cute. Fox will sign first.

Then I will sign. And then you can. This is not negotiable, and I'll be sure to have a backup plan if you don't do as asked~

You know I don't trust you enough to give me your word, but you think I will trust you enough to allow you to get away scott-free if you decide to renege after my signature is gotten?

[syncintohell]

Your cooperation is already contingent upon Fox and I following the contract exactly. In the case that we do not sign, you are not fettered, but if you do not sign he and I lose all that we are striving not to.

I require your signature first, Tenshouin.

[syckophant]

[Eichi snarls a little, but Shu can't see it, so. He'll have to wait until later.]

...You think I've nothing to lose? You and your unitmate can become a real problem to me if you are both allowed to walk free from here. You alone have taken from me something I can never get back, and I don't intend to allow it to happen again, but with two of you.

If you do not agree to Fox signing first and my going second, I will simply walk away. And then I will try again with your next unitmate.

[syncintohell]

[ Shu was keeping his voice down but he raises it now, unable to keep himself in check ]

I have taken something from you? [ He's incredulous, but he laughs and then says with venom in his voice: ] Good! Rue what you have lost, despair knowing I have taken it from you!

But this is not a trick. I will read aloud the contract so you may hear the exact wording, and read it through before you sign. If we fail to sign, you will owe us nothing! You may do as you wish! But if we sign and you do not, we are under contract with no protection at all. Do not be a fool! It is enough that you are malicious!

[syckophant]

[He snorts, laughing bitterly.]

You're such an annoyance. Like a wasp, but only one on it's own. Buzzing about angrily, stinging me incessantly, and managing to avoid being swatted. Don't pride yourself too much on managing to sting me somewhere I care about.

It doesn't matter. If you two do not sign the contract, then there are other routes I can take. Your bullheadedness is boring me~

[That's not necessarily true, but Eichi says plenty of things that are not necessarily true.]

[syncintohell]

At no point did I refuse to sign the contract. I implore you to use your ears to listen to my words, I am not saying them for my own amusement. I only refused to sign first.

[syckophant]

I'm listening, but your words are hollow. They've never meant anything, and I don't see why that should change now.

Either way, I don't care. I'll take care of things regardless of what you do.

[syncintohell]

[ he makes a sound that is pure wordless frustration ]

I am walking over to BARiTONES as we speak. We will deal with this in person.

[ He's going to hang up

TENSHOUIN EICHI HE'S GOING TO POUND ON YOUR FRONT DOOR, BRANDISHING A ROLLED UP CONTRACT IN HIS OTHER HAND ]

[syckophant]

[Eichi just laughs, honestly. That's the best part about all of this! Shu's frustration!

He goes to the door when the pounding starts up, meeting him there on his own.]

Mmmh~ And so here you are. Come in, come in!

[syncintohell]

There is no reason for you to sound pleased to see me.

[ He strides right on in the moment he's invited though, LET'S GET THIS OVER WITH. ]

[syckophant]

I'm always pleased to see you.

[Eichi closes the door behind him when he comes in, leading Shu to his room in short order, where Fox is being kept.]

[artisticliberty]

[fox is sitting in a corner on the floor, slumped against the wall at an odd angle in order to relieve pressure on his injured hip. blood has soaked through his kimono on that side but doesn't appear to be fresh. his expression is vacant, almost hollow, and he looks exhausted, bags under his eyes and his skin pale... no, white. white as in monochromatic. there's very little color left on him at this point, the sofaform disorder having started to take hold.

but when shu enters he notices, his eyes moving before his head slowly lifts]

... Shu...? Is that... truly you?

[syncintohell]

—Brute! What have you done to him?!

[ the contract drops from his hand in his haste to get to Fox's side. He kneels before him, examining the injury best he can without touching him for fear of exacerbating it

To fox, quiet and urgent: ]

Yes. I have come for you; soon I will take you home again and you will be free of his clutches.