[ OPEN !!! ]

[bakudanma]

Who: Katsura + any of you wonderful people.
When: Throughout the IC month of November.
Where: Metro-rail Station, Pleasure District and McCERES.
What: Open log for people who just want some extra CR in their life. 8)
Rating/Warnings: Zura is in this log. And uh, maybe violence/blood.

《1》METRO-RAIL STATION
_{[ It was time to head home after a day full of adventuring in this place and work, and not to mention, he was already hooked on these two soap opera that had been airing on the television sets. Games of our Lives and All my CYBuddies. Surely he'll be able to get home in time.. right? ]}

Ah, excuse me—
_{[ The doors slide open and people flood inside; it was a little annoying— the way some of the people and been the robots here shoved each other to get into the public transport. He merely gave some of these people a look of disdain, and just when he came to the conclusion that this was an every man for himself situation, he begins to assert himself in front of a few other people who are gathering towards the metro, either by elbowing and using the heel of his palm. Just as the door is about to close, he is blocked by a particularly robust individual who won't have any of this and so—
POW. Right in the face. It's enough to get him to stumble back and hold his nose. In that moment, he rushes back to the train right as the doors shut to press his bloodied hands and face on the window. ]}

Crap! Damn! We're going to hear back from the pregnancy test tonight!
<sub>[ He takes a little jog alongside the train before standing there, banging on the window and making a ruckus.
Well. I guess he'll just have to wait for the next one.
In the mean time, he'll just be taking a seat next to you. The way he held his teeth clenched was the only indication of how immensely furious he was.

Oh.. he should probably clean up his face.
He'll be ready next train station. His hand was already on the hilt of his weapon that was by his hip. ]</sub>

《2》PLEASURE DISTRICT
<sub>[ It's a rainy day here in the Pleasure District. Of all the snack places he could have worked at, it was one located in the Pleasure District. He didn't really spend time here, and when he did, it was mainly for work or to just make a bunch of cute ViVid avatars and make them live a mundane and domestic life instead of catering to any of his needs. It was almost like he was trying to ensure their happiness instead of his despite the fact they were virtual people and not anything with feeling. What was he even doing with his life here anymore..?

Today, he's going home from his barista job, dressed in uniform. It was a swanky place, really, and he was learning quickly how to prepare all sorts of different drinks.

A red, cloth parasol is resting on his shoulder as he heads in the direction towards home. But what is this? Somebody in the rain without an umbrella? Not allowed.
And so, he's just gonna scurry up to you and provide some shelter from the rain for you there. Isn't that thoughtful for a terrorist? ]</sub>

You could catch a cold.

《3》MCCERES
<sub>[ Right. His other-other job. He liked to stay productive, so when CERES offered him several jobs, he went ahead and picked two out of the three, though he was contemplating picking up another soon. With as many games as played and as much as he worked, he was gradually getting pretty loaded on credits to use here.

Anyway, his position here? Mascot. There were a few problems with this job in regards of it. For example, it could have been a much fluffier and cuter kind of mascot and not a mime that wasn't supposed to speak. He broke that rule a lot.
He also took off the mask a lot when he wasn't supposed to and has already gotten several complaints from customers, but he still had his position here. When he worked, he worked pretty damn well.

You're going inside this place, and he pops out of nowhere, holding a sign. He seems insistent that you buy whatever it is he is advertising. Holy shit— this was a restaurant, not a haunted house!!

MCKNIGHT BURGER SPECIAL MEAL
3.99!!

No matter where you go, where you hide, he's following you with this sign— maybe doing the typical mascot jig while doing so with his own thuggish flare.
You could be in the bathroom and he's in the stall next to you with this sign, or leaving in your car, if you have one, and he's following you out there.

Hell, maybe you made it home and he's outside your window with this sign too.
Mother of God. ]</sub>

Comments

3 come at me

[psycholawgy]

[ Athena was broke. As much as she liked fast food every now and then, she just couldn't justify spending on it when there was food back in her apartment. And also, she was broke. She doesn't have much credits left on her account now since she ended up treating so many people, and she'd rather not trouble Ryuko by having her transfer some money to her. It just wouldn't be right, especially since she was working two jobs and all.

But, she decided to at least buy a sundae. And that was it. Nothing more! She dismissed the mascot who tried to get her to try one of the specials. She laughed awkwardly, politely said no, then laughed some more.

And that didn't seem to stick to the guy behind the mascot. ]

Hey, I already said no. Sorry.

[ She's not bothered by it at yet, since she only just left the restaurant, but she sure doesn't know what's going to come. ]

[bakudanma]

<sub>[ A sundae. Mind your sugar levels.
This was a concern for him, even if the food here wasn't the healthiest. But at least eat some meat with that.

Anyway, he could pantomime. He could.
And so, he hangs his head, looking pretty sad.

The sign drops, face in hands. What have you done? ]</sub>

[psycholawgy]

[ He might not be talking, but Athena's suddenly filled with sadness. It's not hers, but she can feel the other guy's sadness. So, of course, she wants to try and console him or at least find out what's going on. Did she make him upset?! ]

Is everything alright?

[bakudanma]

_{[ ohhh nooo, he's on his knees now and holding out his fists like he was holding.. something? Was he— ]}

—I'm not a strong enough mascot. There are others who have succeeded better than me. If I cannot convince others to buy, what good am I?
It looks like the end of the rope for me. I should die with honor; remebering only the smiles I brought to other faces.

SEPPUKUUUU!
_{[ and with that, he "stabs" himself, pantomiming the entire dramatic act as he falls to the floor. ]}

[psycholawgy]

[ He's seen someone do some air-swordsmanship before; iaijutsu, or whatever it was called. Athena didn't know any better. But the most she's seen was some guy pretending he was cutting things with just his fingers. This was... different? What a strange guy. ]

Don't make a scene!

[ She starts panicking when some passersby start turning their heads to look at what's happening. That seppuku thing caught a lot of attention. ]

Hey, c'mon, get up! [ She hurries to Katsura's side to check on him. There really shouldn't have been anything wrong, but. . . you never know. ]

[bakudanma]

Let me be. _{[ cough.. cough. ]}
If I could have one last wish, it would be that you would purchase the McKnight Burger Special Meal for 3.99.

_{[ he tries so hard at his job. ]}

[psycholawgy]

[ ...

Maybe she could turn this around. ]

[psycholawgy]

[ Zura, Zura. Look at my sweet smile. ]

Well, I don't have money. I'd love a McKnight Burger Special Meal, but I only have enough to ride the trains 'til I get paid. Think you could treat me just this once?

[bakudanma]

_{[ girl he ain't your sugar daddy.
cough, cough, gurgle. ]}

M-My daughter— you've grown up so much.
_{[ wait this was a total different death scene now. ]}

Will it make you happy? I just want to see you happy.

[psycholawgy]

[ I can't say no to free food when it's right in front of my face! ]

It really would, dad!

[bakudanma]

W.. What would your mother think? She always despised this place and only fed us onigiri.

_{[ cough, wheeze. ]}

[psycholawgy]

Mom...

[ She's dead, dammit. That makes her frown, and a single tear falls down her face as she remembers her real mother.

This sure turned into a soap opera. ]

[bakudanma]

_{[ yes. With a big stuffed mime in her arms; cherry blossoms beginning to fall, violin music intensifying, middle aged housewives blowing their noses and eating comfort ice cream, etc. ]}

D-Damn it. No, this is about us now.
I'm sorry. Here...

_{[ hands her his entire fucking CEREs card. ]}

[psycholawgy]

[ Well, now she feels guilty. ]

We should eat together instead!

[ But she does take the card... ]

[bakudanma]

<sub>[ ???
Somebody inviting him for a meal? It's a shame that Zura doesn't really eat the food here.

But he can't be rude to his daughter! No, siree.
He'll sit up wordlessly then stand. Enough attention had settled on them that now everybody seemed to be going about their business.

He goes in line like a customer would? ]</sub>

[psycholawgy]

[ She shoots the bystanders and other passersby some mean looks before she goes into follow Zura. The crowd dissipates and start minding their own business, although there's still some who... seem to still be dazed.

For some reason, she hasn't thought about what she got herself into, too. Oh well. Free food!

She stands next to him in line. ]

Geez, you'd think they'd know when to stop staring.

[bakudanma]

_{[ bless this child who thinks their staring is weird. ]}

The strong bond between daughter and father is a rare spectacle nowadays.

_{[ not the fact they were disrupting the public just now. nope. no siree. ]}

[psycholawgy]

[ (Oh, he's still putting up with the act? I guess I better not break the ice, or whatever.) ]

So, uh, dad...?

[ If they're being dramatic, may as well add more drama to it. ]

Run into any trouble with the cops lately?

[bakudanma]

It's not dad, it's Katsura.
_{[ ?????? but he just said— nevermind.
the topic of conversation makes him cringe from the inside of his mascot mask. Why did she think this was a good idea to talk about? ]}

Chihiro-chan, _{[ god it was too early in this meeting to make Miyazaki references, but here he went: ]} you know I don't like talking about the police.
_{[ Oh? You didn't? You do now. You're talking to a wanted fugitive. ]}

[psycholawgy]

[ It's not Chihiro, it's Athena. . . ]

Well. [ Calm your pits, Athena. You're a lawyer! You should know how to BS your way into things. ] One of 'em visited me at work today, so I had to ask.

[ That didn't really happen, but BLUFF! BS! Living the life. ]

[bakudanma]

Did you remind him what an unlawful piece of sh*t he was?
<sub>[ said ever so casually—
Katsura, not everybody knows the Shinsengumi that you know. He easily forgets that when given an opportunity to insult them.

Yes, that word did just get censored. ]</sub>

[psycholawgy]

[ ... did she just hear a bleep? What was happening?

But that makes her laugh, embarrassed. ]

I... actually grabbed him-- [ A pause, then she laughs again. ] and threw him.

[bakudanma]

_{[ that's his "daughter."
For the record, he's taking all of this seriously. ]}

Did you aim for the window? Specifically, the dumpster?

[psycholawgy]

Well, he hit my co-worker...

[ She may or may not be taking this story from a personal experience. Nope. ]

[bakudanma]

_{[ He's wordless for a moment, mulling over that thought before he puts his attention on the cashier. She can't see the look of disappointment on his face since he is masked. ]}

One bowl of soba.

_{[ he asked this every time, and every time he was told the same response.
Without beating a lash, he changes his order to the same thing he gets when they say this: ]}

Medium fries. That is all.
_{[ steps aside for Athena. ]}