[ 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. ]}

3!

[ukakus]

[Yeah. That is, uh. Definitely a mime. Following her around, you know. Being creepy. Staring at her with his beady mime eyes and holding that obvious fast food advertisement, making her stomach churn uncomfortably. Would it taste like shit? As in, actual human shit? Probably. She shouldn't even consider buying something she obviously can't eat.

All she wanted was a cup of cheap McCeres coffee as a pick me up. Wow. Maybe she should turn him down politely, since ignoring him obviously isn't working and it looks like he's going to follow her home at this rate.]

Fuck off. I'm not buying.

[OR NOT SO POLITELY. Forget politeness. Politeness is for chumps.]

[bakudanma]

<sub>[ WELL DAMN. They're just not biting today. A coffee— that isn't really satisfying in his opinion.

He does a dance that looks straight out of the ghetto. It's impressive. Maybe that will hold this person's interest for a moment. ]</sub>

[ukakus]

[IT HOLDS HER INTEREST for all of three seconds.

She then, uh. Recovers. Stares. Squints like she will find all the secrets of the universe within his intricate dance.]

...What do you think you're doing?

[bakudanma]

_{[ Don't squint too hard. You might actually find something. It would probably be something you rather not see.
He breaks his rule and speaks: ]}

It says in my job description to dance and be jolly, so I am doing my duties to my highest potential.

_{[ next move looks like something straight out of the Japanese boy band SMAP. Specifically the song Lion Heart. ]}

3

[dishonorstudent]

[ Yeah, Ryuko soon realized that she was gonna have to engage this creepy mascot in actual conversation. Ignoring it seemed like a viable idea at the start, they normally go away if you don't pay attention to them, right? They don't follow you all the way out here, right? She's SEEN the advertisement, and even HAD the burger in the god damn restaurant!

Silent, inside the ladies room cubicle next to hers, she feels this... eerie presence. Time to acknowledge it. ]

...How long are you gonna keep this up?

[bakudanma]

<sub>[ that is definitely the sound of the toilet flushing next to Ryuko. What-- was he also taking a dump in here while he was at it? It seemed so.

He's learned signing skills like this from his dear friend back home. And so, when the question is prompted, there is a pause before Katsura scoots a sign under the stall with his foot. It reads:

Until Boss-dono promotes me.

Look, he just wants to take over this place and put soba on the menu since America keeps denying his request. ]</sub>

[dishonorstudent]

[ A loud bang can be heard in the stall that Ryuko occupied, it's the sound of Ryuko punching the enclosure that separates them. ]

That's got nothin' to do with me, freak!! Buzz off!!

[bakudanma]

It's not freak, it's Katsura.
<sub>[ there he goes, breaking the no talk rule.
wait a moment... Ryuko has heard this before, hasn't she? Somewhere recently, actually.

The stall door breaks open and he steps out. What will you do now? Ambush him? ]</sub>

1!

[harepiece]

[THAT GUY SURE IS ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT CATCHING TRAINS... And also bleeding everywhere?! Oz, who had just been sitting here minding his own business, is now stuck next to this Very Intense Guy who's just casually hanging out with blood on his face. It's rude to stare, he knows it, AND YET... HE CAN'T STOP.

Until eventually, he remembers the handkerchief that his dumb Victorian self still carries around even as he incorporates more and more modern-day fashion into his wardrobe. With a muted little "ah!" of surprise, his gaze snaps away and he rummages around in his top pocket until he locates the little square of fabric, holding it out in Katsura's direction.]

Do you need this?

oz so cute

[bakudanma]

_{[ Katsura gets the feeling he's being watched, and he almost looks over at Oz to break the stare that he is having, but he's just so angry.
When he's offered the handkerchief, he takes it, but doesn't use it to wipe his nose right away. ]}

I have come across plenty of filth on the Earth, but the deepest circle of hell are those who keep others from their daytime dramas.

_{[ woah. ]}

his inner moes shine through

[harepiece]

[KATSURA... THAT'S ALARMING. Oz is just sitting here internally sweating and wondering if it was a good idea to give his handkerchief to this guy, since clearly he is possibly a bit on the nutty side.

A wayward glance is given toward the empty track... No trains are approaching yet.]

...Are you going to miss them now?

[bakudanma]

_{[ A BIG FROWN. ]}
—They both fell in love through the same pain; the loss of a parent. And now, if they lose their child too— I don't know if I will be able to bare it.

_{[ despite his stoic look, tears were forming in the corners of his eyes... ]}

3!

[immobileyes]

[ So Mary will be joining Katsura in mascot solidarity soon enough, but as she steps in to properly investigate her new job and he pops up-- she immediately shrinks back. ]

It really is scary--!

[bakudanma]

<sub>[ FRESH MEAT.
nah. He just isn't aware that they were going to get a new associate today. Consider this your first lesson!

What's that? A little bit too sudden for you? Nevermind. He'll totally break out some moves for you that are similar to this. ]</sub>

[immobileyes]

... W-wait, don't-- [ someone is now frantically waving her arms in front of her. ] I-I'll get a doctor!

[ IS HE RHYTHMICALLY DYING?! ]

3

[topscores]

[Nice yelps when the mascot pops out of nowhere, though he's used to mascots being in places they shouldn't be. So at least he doesn't get so mad about it, instead, he just looks surprised at the advertisement.]

Whoa!! That's really cheap!!

[Patting around his pockets now -- HOW MUCH MONEY DOES HE HAVE]

[bakudanma]

<sub>[ HELL YEAH that's what I'm talking about.
What's going on now? The sign is dropped and the mascot puts his hands in the air.
Raising da roof. It's a Christmas miracle.

He's obviously glad about this development because.
1.) This guy is so easily persuaded to buy something.
2.) He didn't get kicked in the balls this time that's the best part. ]</sub>

[topscores]

Heh, are you happy about that or something?

[Nice doesn't kick people in the balls...he punches them in the face. So at least there's that.]

Aren't you breaking character dropping the sign like that, though?

[Says the person who was the most unsubtle person while he wore a mascot outfit once.]

1 omg lol

[redcinemareel]

[Grell had been watching all of the commotion unfold before her eyes. From the person trying to get on the train to him running after it in a bloody mess. It was enough to make her forget about the book she was reading. What was he going on about a pregnancy test?! What even was that?

He sat next to her, and she didn't really offer anything to wipe the blood off. She was used to people being covered in blood, especially since she was the cause of injury. She...kind of stared at him for a few seconds more before speaking.]

I don't think you'll be late for a pregnancy test, whatever that may be.

yes...

[bakudanma]

_{[ He soothes his quick temper as his fingers grip into his kimono before he looks at the person next to him.
Was she really wondering what a pregnancy test was? ]}

Ah, you see. I could go about how when a women loves a man— and allow the scene to fade to a cutesy animation of birds and bees for my explanation to fit the audience of our given time slot, but—

_{[ He breathes out of his nostrils, allowing some of his hair to fall in fornt of his shoulders as he shifts. ]}

People are intervening in something very important to me.

[redcinemareel]

You needn't go that far. [She was familiar with the way of nature.

Pregnancy tests weren't really a thing amongst the normal population, you see. Mostly doctors, maybe.]

Are they, now? [She raises an eyebrow at that before smiling slyly.] Are you going to find out some wonderful news?