The first rule of fight club

[yourotherleft]

Who: Zoro yourotherleft & OPEN!
When: IC 5/4-5/5
Where: various places in the Pleasure District
What: In the process of becoming a bounty hunter, Zoro is about to stumble on something even more curious in the "underground" where criminals in the colony play.
Rating/Warning: none but lmk if that changes

[One doesn't have to hang around in the alley outside Novus/Replea to hear about the criminal underground of the Cerealia colony, but it helps. A chance encounter elsewhere has already turned Zoro on to the existence of alien criminal factions and their need to put prices on the heads of their rivals, but this is his first night actively haunting the dark side looking for someone to nab. His luck is unusually good tonight, he's already spotted someone whose photo he scored from a rough customer inside the club, now to trail him and see where he goes just in case he leads the hunter to even more high-priced bounties.

He has no idea where he is at any given time anyway, so tracking his quarry all the way from the entertainment district to the pleasure district doesn't faze him, it only results in a change of scenery. But the deeper he goes, stealthily following his bounty, the more Zoro uncovers.]

Scene I. Pleasure district, bars

[He's not at all interested in company, clothed or unclothed, living or robot, but the sake is pretty damn good down here. The alien with reward money on his head apparently likes the host clubs, though, so Zoro can be found parked on a bar stool in one, waving off the hosts and hostesses while running up a hell of a tab. The more he drinks, the more personable he is if anyone wants to strike up a conversation.

What they don't know is, he has no intention of paying that tab. But can he get out without causing a riot and tipping off his target? You, hey, you there - come here, let him talk to you so he can watch the bounty over your shoulder.[]

Do you work here? Hang on, that's not what I meant! I just wanna know where the back door is.

[what do you mean that is the worst question you can ask in a place like this?!]

Scene II. Pleasure district, brothel

[Well, shit, his target went upstairs, so how is a bounty hunter supposed to pass the time when he himself is entirely uninterested in what this place has to offer? But wait, there's a hell of a lot of noise coming from the next level down...

There isn't a stairwell leading down inside the building, but around back, there's definitely a side door and a set of steps, with two rather hulking thugs standing guard on either side of the door. Zoro isn't at all put off by their presence, but walking straight up to them doesn't seem to make them move to let him through. He can hear what plainly sounds like fighting and cheering, and can sense a lot of strong people down there. But he'll need a hand to get down there to see it for himself. What do you think, can you A, talk their way in, or is it better to B, fight your way in?

Spoilers, there's a fight club downstairs, and if you can get in, you might find yourself joining that club. Zoro's joining it, no matter what.]

Scene III. Pleasure district, spa

[The bounty money is good and all, and most of it is going to go toward food and booze, but as long as he's in the area, Zoro is up for checking out the bathhouse in the spa. Not for shenanigans, for a bath! It's a good place to meet people, they say, so who knows? Maybe he'll make a new friend, or find a potential sparring partner. Or, on the other hand, he might come to realize why bathing with others is not as much fun as it sounds on paper.]

Comments

[yourotherleft]

[he looks up to Kashuu for a moment, and then can't help but ask. He's not usually this curious but hell, this is a good chance. He can relate it to Merry, and extend it even to his own swords if they ever became people.]

What's it like, having everybody see you? Getting to know other people and all that.

[adornmental]

[His head cants to the side a little at that, and he's quiet for a second, considering what he wants to say. There are a lot of things to say about one little question, and he's not sure he can do a good job summarizing, but he gives it a go.]

I think it's different for all of us, but I like it a lot. I mean, it's not like we had no one to talk to before since there are other spirits and humans that can see us, but it's way better not having to worry about who's got enough power for that. I like being able to walk up to anyone I want and talk to 'em. It's one of the best parts about having this body, y'know? ...Like, outside of eating and stuff like that. [A SAGE NOD.]

...But I guess it can also be a little weird sometimes. Not bad weird; it's just not something you get used to easy.

[sayonaradumbass]

You're seriously an ass pirate? [#1 thing to say to a pirate who just took out a guy three times as big as him.]

It's about stealin' booty, right? What's so experienced about that?

[yourotherleft]

[see this face, Kaneda? this is the face of someone who will string you up by your balls the minute he can find some string.

Just a regular pirate!

[yourotherleft]

Eating is awesome no matter what kind of body you have. [sage nod right back] And drinking. I haven't taken you guys out drinking, yet. You should come by Tenka's bar some night.

[sayonaradumbass]

[sorry, this is one ornery teenager...who is just smirking]

Same difference, cause of the booty.

[adornmental]

You know that guy, too? He's been taking care of Sayo and Kousetsu for a while, with Sousei. [And while Kashuu is closer to Sousei, he likes Tenka by proxy, more or less.]

I went to his bar once and he gave me a hard time, y'know. But if it's a good place to drink, I guess I don't mind going back.

[yourotherleft]

Yeah, he hired me to be security at his bar. So I kinda owe him a little. [aww, poor Kashuu.] You don't have to hang out with him, though, I'm just saying, if I'm there, it's a good time to drink.

[yourotherleft]

[see if he gets you any more drinks]

It's not like that!

[om_nom_namur]

[That's Mister Cleaner to you, bucko, and don't you forget it. The announcer thunders the name into the microphone as a tall, totally ripped man with a mask and a maid's smock steps into the ring, his whole being glistening from the rowdy applause.

Naturally, he's also armed to the teeth with an array of guns, knives, and what looks like an ordinary cleaning mop, though the shaft might actually be made of solid titanium.

Namur grins, yelling just loud enough for Zoro to hear over the crowd.]

Look borin' as hell compared t' that guy, sheheheheh! Go win 'em over!

[Namur lifts Zoro with his good arm, and when the announcer calls out Zoro's name with a tone of bewilderment- what the hell's a Roronoa Zoro, that's a lame stage name- Namur chucks him high above the ring. Landing it- and looking cool when he does- is gonna be up to Zoro. The moment he hits, a slender young woman next to the ring raises her hands to the sides and brings them together above her head, a translucent force field covering the ring. Namur salutes sloppily, throwing his hand up in a fist after, then disappears into the darkness to make his first bet of the evening.]

[yourotherleft]

What - shit!

[shades of Luffy all of a sudden, as Zoro finds himself launched all the way in from the sidelines. At the last second he tucks, rolls, and comes up on his feet, a little too close to the center and the Good Sir Cleaner, salvaging what could have been a truly embarrassing entrance. He boggles for a second at this moron in a maid's dress before shaking it off and pulling two swords.

The force field doesn't bother him, it just gives him another wall against which to fling his opponent if necessary. The difference in their sizes already has the audience clamoring for the house favorite - never mind that the other guy's just some newbie, he's smaller and isn't wearing anything special. T-shirt and haramaki, what kind of costume is that? And who carries three swords? That's just weird. He's clearly being bet against as the underdog, which is just fine. More money for him in the end. He ignores any of Mr. Cleaner's bellowing trash talk, right up until the countdown to start. A dangerous smirk, a low comment only Zoro's opponent can hear:]

Nice legs. Too bad I'm gonna cut them right out from under you.

[Someone behind him bangs a huge gong to signal the fight's start. Zoro doesn't move right away, letting the other guy advance before easily darting past him, deflecting a swing of the mop with one slash of Kitetsu and circling around to wind himself up for a big warning shot. A quick 72-Pound Cannon from clear across the ring, blasting into him and throwing him into the wall.]

[adornmental]

I don't mind him. [He's just a huffy tsuntsun moron who holds pointless (but also harmless, most of the time) grudges for dumb things.]

But good! Just tell me when you work and I'll stop in. I'll see who I can bring with me, too.

[yourotherleft]

I'm there most nights it's open. If you bring a bunch of the guys down, I bet Tenka'd let us hang out after close and have our own party. [because staying up to 4am drinking is the best thing ever, in Zoro's estimation]

[adornmental]

[Kashuu isn't as heavy a drinker as some of his comrades, but even he would agree with that assessment...]

Nice! I guess I can forgive him for being a pain earlier, if he'd let us do that.

[yourotherleft]

[he grins, and even chuckles a little. Wow, friends to drink with and a plan to do so, he feels so lucky]

I'll see what I can do. Pull some strings with the boss and all.

[Zoro lifts himself out of the water just enough to stretch his arms out along the edge of the bath, to cool off a bit. His bruises are definitely clear now against his tanned skin]

[sayonaradumbass]

[side eyes]

Alright, you already said. But treasure is still involved, ain't it?

[yourotherleft]

Sometimes. [settling his ruffled feathers. Geez, man.] A lot harder to do around here but you get the drift.

[sayonaradumbass]

I bet you don't get the drift-- [asshole grin bc he thinks hes real damn funny] But...at least if you got a gang you can ride around and do shit.

[yourotherleft]

[yeah you keep digging that hole deeper, Kaneda]

A pirate doesn't stop being a pirate just because he's stuck on land. But you've got a point.

[drinking heavily over here, because he hates thinking about not being on the sea, not having adventures. Not becoming the world's strongest. It sucks.]

As long as we don't give up on our dreams, the rest doesn't matter.

[sayonaradumbass]

[oh man, the guy is drinking now because he's depressed....that's the saddest thing ever, even sadder than an angry clown. (because a sad one is funny so)

Instead of there, there-ing the other male, he takes a generous swig of his own brew]

That sure is sappy....you must really miss the scurvy and stuff. How're you supposed to do that now, though? No treasure to be found here, I don't think.

[yourotherleft]

[yes, good, he doesn't need any shoulder-patting. He shifts over and gives Kaneda a direct look, no messing around]

I said dreams, not treasure. Treasure's like getting a shitty job here - it keeps food on the table. My dream has nothing to do with treasure. I might even be able to work toward it, here. [there's his smirk, coming back slowly] I intend to become the world's strongest swordsman. If that means becoming the strongest among multiple worlds, here, I'm fine with that.

[sayonaradumbass]

The strongest swordsman..... [he hums to himself as he thinks about that...sounds like too much work, but work that's fun. what's funner than beating the shit out of other swordsmen?? Very few things.]

Like I said, you're sappy. But not totally terrible.

[yourotherleft]

[in gratitude he totally gives Kaneda the finger with the same hand holding his beer bottle]

I've never been accused of that before, that's a first.

[adornmental]

I'll leave it to you, then!

[DON'T LET THEM DOWN!! Though it's not like Kashuu would be particularly fussed either way... He can't imagine Tenka would have a problem with any of them crashing for ages, anyway.

That said, his attention is drawn to those bruises as soon as Zoro raises his arms, and he arches a brow in turn.]

Where'd those come from?

[yourotherleft]

Huh?

[looks down; they do smart a little from the hot water but he hadn't hardly paid attention]

Oh. I ran into a bit of a fight last night. Nothing big. [he looks up with a completely immodest smirk] It was fun, and I actually got some money out of it.