deercountry | you're going where you've been before [open]

Entry tags:

you're going where you've been before [open]

Who: Robby Keene & you!
What: Time for edgy corruption era
When: Some time first half of month.
Where: Around Trench
Content Warning: Mild body transformation, talk about corruption?? Potential violence. will update over time.

1. change in appearance (for casual bumping into)

Moving around the city is easier than it has been of late, even with the mosquitoes that buzz with a particular taste for sleepers. They're safer than the wolf packs, at least, and the festive airs has more people out and about, and Robby isn't any different in taking his time around the city for whatever his purpose.

...but this is something different about him, a few days into May. It's visible on him, and he apparently isn't trying to hide it--he can't, really, even if he wanted to. Because the change is on his skin, a sickly pale colour, with vein-like markings of orange-gold that work their way up his face, that speckle in his eyes usually green. Sometimes, there's a bark-like quality on his arms to boot, but a few people have been suffering that, thanks to the boardwalk foods.

He wears loose black clothing that matches the subdued fashion of Trench, sleeves up to his elbows, but gloves around his hands and bracelets tucked nicely against their rims. A couple of people have been experiencing transformations of their appearances this month, and Robby could just be another one of those.

It's not stopping him from his daily activities, anyway. Find him out in Wilful Machine during a good mood with a hot pastry on public seating, watching the figures go by; or stuck when one of the harsher rainfalls decide to pour it down, and taking shelter under one of the shop awnings is the only way to go to get out of it. If you're someone he doesn't recognise, he might even give you a huff, a smile, and remark, "'Least the rain isn't killing us."

Always look for the positives.

2. change in person (catching fights, day or night--Robby can start on your character, too)

Appearances are one thing, but attitudes? ...that's give or take. Who you are, maybe, but Robby's mood can swing from a rather carefree thing. To just hanging around, minding his own business; accidentally bumping into a person or two, being a rather cheery dick about any grumbling call-outs. "Maybe look where you're going?"

Who would take stupid shit from anyone, anyway? But it's as the week goes on that someone is more likely to catch a bigger scene. Even in daylight: where you might not even know what happened, but you hear, "Who the fuck do you think you are?" spat out louder than needed, and the sound of a scuffle. Two people, one being Robby, the other a person who could either look ready to return his anger or look baffled, stepping back.

It leaks into the nights, too. Robby can't sleep, his body won't let him, but it doesn't particularly bother him as it has in the past. Cellar Door isn't one to turn away corrupt individuals; it welcomes them, even, allowing refuge in escaping whatever thoughts that gnaw and keep the illness chewing at them. One might even consider talking about it.

But the corruption sticks to Robby, and he doesn't take any of the meaningful advice--because who wants to let go of spite when it's so deserved? Even if it does make you a jackass, exiting from an establishment--the music doesn't work anymore, you can't kick the restlessness out from your skin, you just need to leave--too quick, not looking, not caring, and you shove into some unknown way too hard, and having the gall to even throw out: "You mind?"

And hell, it could be someone Robby knows. It doesn't change his initial (over)reaction.

3. wildcard/other

Robby can also be caught at the residence connected to Miyagi-do, now and then, though he won't be participating much in the lessons (or can, if one wants to experience why he's taking a break, currently); or he can be caught visiting his ~~other~~ dad at Eagle Fang's dojo. He'll be at the archives early on, but not as his mood worsens.

Also ok with text threads about hearing Robby being caught being a shithead lately or hearing about his corruption from CR!

Feel free to hit me up over private message or plurk @ blitzoff for details or a closed thread! i am 100% making a custom starter i know these are basic, lol.

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Someone's been searching for something.

Which may be what someone would think soon after entering the residence connected to the Miyagi-do dojo. The immediate hallway tells little, or might with a glance that doesn't closely inspect; the doors to each room visible are open, but that itself isn't unusual. There's the living room, the kitchen, and maybe the toilet door is open? But that sits farther down the hall, and, well--

The first two are more likely to receive attention before that. Because in the living room, a bookcase has been turned over, the coffee table cracked right in its centre, as if hit by a large force; a sofa (the sofa? that's for you to decide) as been knocked across the room, upturned in its journey, and the few decorations that gave the room character have also been torn from their place. Something like crystal litters around, or rather--ice, if one were to take the time to closely inspect.

And the kitchen isn't much different. Certain cups and dishes have been broken, but at least the pans are harder to break (but not their hooks), except that one ceramic cooking pot Daniel really likes--or liked, now.

So maybe it's less searching, and more straightforward vandalism. Continuing down the hall shows glass from the mirror inside the small bathroom has been broken across the ground, and there's blood--orange-red, rusted, and the partial prints of feet that walk down the side hall towards the bedrooms, and then farther on to the door that leads to the inner dojo.

It hasn't been shut, but sits partially open. And inside is Robby, his back turned to its entrance, standing in silence, a slight and slow rock to his body. The few bonsai in the room have been knocked over, but their pots aren't broken. Nothing in the dojo seems broken, at first glance.

But the blood leading to Robby's feet shows well on the carpeting of the dojo floor.

Edited 2023-05-09 21:48 (UTC)

It's early enough in the month that Chizuru still has no idea what's going on with Robby - because she hasn't seen him yet in his new state of corruption. Though it's also not really the sort of thing that can be hidden, since the girl will inevitably seek out her friend to hang out with him.

Which is what's happening right now. Chizuru was on her way to where she usually finds Robby, aka the residence next to the Miyagi-do dojo. She knows that there's been a little bit of time where he wasn't spending time there, but she knows that he's been sleeping again there now, so it's always her first place to check out when she wants to find her friend. And when Chizuru approaches the dojo, trying to put all concerns about the whispers she keeps hearing recently out of her mind, she happens to spot the boy she was looking for right away - just as Robby is at the front door, looking like he was about to enter the house.

.. with some physical signs of corruption, but Chizuru isn't noticing that quite yet, especially from a distance. She's still approaching though, a smile on her face as she waves a hand to try and get the boy's attention.

"Robby..!"

"Sometimes that's the best attitude we can have," said a familiar voice happening along on one of those occasions where Robby was pontificating on looking at the bright sides. Vira-Lorr looked mostly normal, without too much in the way of changes going on right about then. She walked up and waved over at him with a pleasant smile, and a surprisingly... laid back attitude to his current appearance.

What were a few minor physical alterations in this town? "Mmm, I could recommend some moisturizers, but I suspect you're in need of a defoliant right about now, aren't you?" She gestured to some of the more bark-like sections of his arms.

Mob's still not entirely sure how he should feel about everything. The contract, Makima, Sunny and Jun's concerns, sensei's concerns, Robby. What happened in April in all it's destructive glory, now almost entirely cleaned up from the streets like it didn't happen at all. It did happen though, it lives on in his head, in how some of the Trench natives look at him when they recognize who (what) he is.

It lives on in how much he touches the necklace Robby gives him to calm himself, even though remembering Robby isn't exactly calming these days. It hurts.

So a lot to think about that he has been, bit by bit, piece by piece. Uncomfortable truths, mistakes, generosity and kindness. How Robby reached out through their bond when he thought Mob was upset. How Mob felt something from Sunny and Robby recently, pulling him in two directions, and Robby is the way he decides to go for now. Ritsu would probably go to see Sunny after he felt all that but Robby- Robby was kind of stubborn, Mob thinks. Robby liked helping more than he liked being helped. Mob just... wants to help him. He really wants to help him.

He's selfish, tired of this distance between them. Robby means too much to him to not go wandering in hopes of finding the other teen. He means too much to just text him and hope Robby answers or doesn't tell him to leave him be.

Whether it's through their bond or the weird connection Mob accidentally formed by offering his powers to Robby those few times it doesn't take all day to find Robby. It's a lot of wrong turns, a lot of uncertainty, but eventually he does see Robby ahead, with someone else. Surely not doing anything shady with paleblood gems, no no. From this distance he can only see Robby's back, carefully opening up their bond again, letting concern leak through.

"Robby?"

Instead of entering, Robby turns.

And for a moment, the expression on Robby's face is stoic to the point of blank. There's no immediate recognition in his eyes, colour in them shifted; but what's more obvious is that of his skin, ashen to the point of sickly, the faint vein-like lines that creep upward from his neck to his cheeks, his brow.

It lasts a moment, mouth a straight line--until something hits, switches in him, like the beam of light that adjusts a room as it floods it. Robby smiles, and his eyes--though looking at her before--seem to show recognition.

"Hey," he even says in a fond, good-natured way. A face he wasn't expecting to see, but happy to. "Good timing. What's up?"

Hiii, bestie.

Robby laughs pleasantly at her joke, looks at his arms in the same instance he lifts one to turn, show off.

"What was I gonna do, not eat the free food?" Maybe it was the food, maybe it wasn't. But the boardwalk has been delightful in offering goodies. "It can't be the worst makeover the town's had--or me. Puking hearts? That sucked. But maybe the beasts around here like it."

He doesn't sound put off by the idea. Like maybe his vulgar discomfort was worth making a few rabid beasts happy.

There is a feeling from Robby, constant, that can be described only as: he wants.

One of those wants is revenge. Payback. A bitterness he's been carrying in his gut pushed out and consuming him, and what if he likes it? Having his mind scrambled with because he isn't believed, and fuck it, what's some retribution than just taking it, letting it happen? Ignoring it, like he does so many things.

But we can't just kill a guy, and stabbing them isn't enough. Sometimes? Coming up with payback takes more for some people than it does others. It should be equal to what's done. Equal, or more.

That's what Mob finds him in the middle of.

He's not being too careless about his actions--and the people he inflicts them on--but down a rather unused street, a body standing wordlessly, doing nothing, still might raise a few eyebrows to some. Fortunately, even in Trench, people don't have time for an unusual situation or to ask questions. Most don't even look.

Robby looks. When he hears his name, the concern. He's not thinking about the bond; hasn't tried to hide his feelings, conceal anything. Planning, a growing anticipation, a frustration that floats each emotion and inspires them. A person up to no good, but at that voice, Mob's voice, there's an instant recognition that spikes through alarm over the bond.

He grips the stone in hand, glaring forward, seemingly at Mob, but it takes a second for him to focus in on him. The alarm softens, but there's a panic there, despite the voice that asks casually, playful,

"What?"

The body ahead continues to stand.

Mob isn't sure what to make of this. To say he isn't really emotionally intelligent is, hm, an understatement. A person doesn't spend years trying to be nothing but bland calm and then boast the ability to comprehend a lot of complicated feelings at once. Especially such foreign ones, because he's never really been one payback. He tries not to want things too strongly.

He can recognize what he's feeling isn't some baseline in Robby. He can't say it's unnatural, even unwarranted, but Mob thinks at least whatever this is it's fueled by something else. Something bad, outside or in.

Mob's eyes flick to the body just standing there, unsure before his attention goes to Robby. He opens his side of the bond a little more- concern, missing him, fear, a little hurt. (60% solidly, he's been fluctuating like that.) Confusion, a bit. Muted still but presented rather than slipping through.

"I wanted to talk to you," he answers, honestly. "I felt something happen, you and Sunny were... upset." A beat. "I wanted to talk to you before that too."

Robby's emotions aren't so controlled, but they're not wild, lashing; but the unsettled caution in him makes him unable to focus directly on what presses against their link. Not missed, but he's decided to pay attention to what Mob's saying.

And he smiles, lips pulled tight, at the mention of you and Sunny were upset.

"What for? I told you to stay away." Good-humoured, casual. The tone keeps, that it could be read as mocking. "Sunny's just been letting me know what a bad idea that is. So bad, he showed up with a knife at the dojo." Robby tips his head to the side, slightly. "Did you know I'm brainwashed? Guess he wanted to find out the truth."

He hasn't stopped smiling.

"... I know," Mob admits. Robby did basically tell him that. "And I'm sorry. I wanted to respect your wishes but I- I don't want to ignore how I feel either."

They need to talk about this, that's what he thinks. Really talk about it. And if that's a mistake it's a mistake he'll make and live with.

That said uh, all that about Sunny immediately distracts him from any of his own feelings because what. "A knife?" What? He takes a few steps closer, expression the slightest bit matching the waves of concern for both of them now. "I know he's been worried. He doesn't like my contract with Miss Makima."

His mouth twitches as Mob approaches, a breath momentarily held. Feelings flutter, a fear that wants to step back, despite: "He gets angry when things aren't the way he wants. He's been blaming all kinds on her: he doesn't like the way I treated you, so it's her fault. 'Cept I wouldn't back down."

...Robby's foot does inch back. A faint smoke wafts off his skin exposed, ashened, pale.

"You should watch him. The day he decides you're not right, he can blame whatever he does on this place."

It's a convenient excuse, isn't it?

Mob slows, stops. Is that fear because of him? He could hardly blame Robby, not after everything, what he did to everyone, to sensei. Still, Robby's emotions are strange. He doesn't understand what's happening, if this is a breakdown, if it's the Trench.

If it's maybe corruption. He hasn't seen enough to be sure. "Robby, what happened? What did he do?"

Because Robby is talking around something, like Sunny is dangerous, and Mob wishes everyone wouldn't keep talking about the people he cared about that way. Miss Makima is dangerous, people say. Now Sunny is. Mob's the one who destroyed part of the city yet everyone is turning their distrust to each other. He doesn't understand.

"He went into my head," Robby answers. "He looked at everything about me to find out the truth, and 'cause he doesn't trust me. He wanted to hurt me because I was annoying him."

There's a dip in his tone, not entirely losing that put on casual delivery, but the playfulness not as light, easy. He shouldn't have that there to put emphasis on what Sunny did, should he? What he's saying Sunny did, why. Though his feelings across the bond don't change; the fear the same shape as it was when Mob started to move, distorted in some strange way.

"That's what he thinks about people who do things to you he doesn't like," he says, warns. "He said Miss Makima brainwashed me, and got Mister LaRusso believing it, too."

She snickered. "Yes, yes. It could be a whole lot worse too. It's just cosmetic, really." Yeah, he was right. Nothing wrong with a few little problems, and if it was food-bourne, it wasn't a problem. It'd fade. "Oh god, I remember the puking hearts one. that was absolutely awful."

Everything about the chocolates had been awful.

Jun doesn't wander a lot - he doesn't have time - but he's glad when he bumps into Robby. He isn't really into confrontation if he doesn't have to these days... but he's concerned about what Daniel said. So he keeps it casual when he spots the older teen, huddling under an awning to escape the rain.

"Yeah. I mean, it definitely could. But at least we've got that."

He looks at the other a little more closely and - "Are you feeling okay, Robby?"

There's an easy way to take that question, the look Jun gives to him, the one that Robby looks back from the rain to see. A better look at his own face offered, the sight of Robby's skin grey, the streaks of orange through them.

Robby looks away, a small breath taken, a shake of his head.

"I'm hanging in there," he goes for, a tired note. Looks back out at the downpour. "A lot of stuff's been going on at the dojo... you should be careful. Just stick to the classes, don't hang around."

"It started when I got thrown into that mingling tent and the seat shocked me if I tried moving. You ever sat across from someone and really needed to barf?" At least it's a story one could look back on with a laugh in how outrageous it was.

"We didn't know what was happening. The other guy thought I was gonna die!" Okay, fixing: "I thought I might die. But I had to do my twenty questions?"

Outrageous, Vira-Lorr.

That's a very, very intense accusation. Mob goes very still and quiet, trying to understand. Going into Robby's head, for Sunny that would be- "You mean that place he can make? The empty one?"

It does not sound like White Space. Mob knows White Space, he's been there before, it wasn't like that at all. It was empty, silent. Nothing happened. Sunny didn't like it, or he didn't think Mob should like it the way he did.

There's a lot to unpack here, and more he needs to address, but there's one thing that's way more important. "Are you okay?" Because whatever happened that doesn't sound like Robby could be okay after it. He doesn't sound okay now.

Can he be okay? Robby knows the answer, and yet giving any takes him a beat, a pause.

"I won't be if this keeps up. But no one's going to believe me--who would?" He turns his hands (with one still closed around a stone), to show the markings on them, the way his skin has paled to a grey. "Look at me. Mister LaRusso already didn't, and now I'm more out of my head."

Isn't that how it goes? A corrupted person can't be trusted. ...nevermind the person behind Robby, or anything. Ignore them. They're over there.

As soon as Chozen saw the living room (and his sofa), he had turned around to retrieve his sai. He did so in silence, his house slippers padding what little sound his feet might otherwise have made. He does not call out for Daniel or Robby when he returns, weapons in readiness at his sides.

Old, old instincts. They have come back to him faster than he likes in this world. As he walks down the hall checking each room from the doorway, a thin slice of relief going through his heart every time he sees damage only to things and not to bodies, he could be no older than twenty.

Arcs of electricity dance over his knuckles at the bathroom and its shattered mirror. He follows the bloody footprints to the inner dojo, taking vague offence at the intrusion of it all, the violation of this place that is the quiet heart of the entire dojo and the peace they seek to maintain here.

That is forgotten as soon as he sees Robby, and he is no longer twenty. He slips his sai into the belt of his gi and his posture transforms entirely, the predatory slant of his shoulders evening out. His Omen, who until then had hidden herself in the lines of his shadow, coalesces into three dimensions to let out a small, soft call.

"Robby-san?" Chozen says, like an echo of her. "You are hurt."

He probably should have said something about being back in the city again. But he hasn't felt up to the task of admitting it just yet. Not while settling back in, not while trying to help the other two adjust. Notices can come later. When everything is taken care of.

In this case, like shopping for supplies. Which is precisely what Hakkai is doing when he hears that familiar voice. "Who the fuck do you think you are?" He should keep walking - it's not his fight. It might not even be his business, but... he had said he'd keep an eye out.

Har har.

He steps forward, regardless. Through the little knot of people. "Robby!" Called out to try and get the young man's attention... Sure he'd shut down their last conversation, but if there was a fight being started, Hakkai was probably a better target. "What's going on?"

Robby hears the voice, in the midst of his own thinking, his own thoughts; slurred by--and inflicted by--some outer illness he doesn't particular care to give time to. The spaces have been so quiet when he hasn't made them be, sounds that blurred, the act of tossing everything up satisfying, but never lasting. Only wanting, more, more.

The dojo didn't give it. It won't. It gave him pause with this truth, and what it was he looking for, doing. His destruction not entirely mindless. It was, ah--

You are hurt.

He was. Is. And Mister Toguchi, he's so much better than any object, isn't he? Him. Mister LaRusso's friend.

"Toguchi-sensei?" He addresses him with confusion, a pinch of fear sprinkled purposely, head turning sideways, but in no meaningful manner to let them see one another properly. The Japanese way of referring to the man he never does, then fixes: "--Mi-- Mister Toguchi. I don't know what's going on. Would you help me?"

Robby turns as he asks the question, on feet where the blood continues to glisten a rusty orange under him, marking the carpeting. There is no lighting on in the dojo, and whether Chozen decides to put it on or not, Robby's skin fits better under the darkness, monotone grey. He looks at the man, lips pinched in a look of uncertainty, before his eyes lowering pitifully.

A pitiful figure indeed. Powerless. Without weapon.

The person who has Robby's gaze just seems lost, confused, a 'What? I'm walking' possibly heard; others around them have chosen the route Hakkai hadn't in minding their own business. Some looks spared, but none of which Robby is giving the time of day.

But his name is said, Robby looks at Hakkai with unwelcomed bemusement. "It any of your business?"

The target for Robby's attentions looks at Hakkai, Robby, and is--maybe going to decide to keep going?? Yeah?? Th-hey would like to resume with their life, thanks.

Hakkai motions to the poor individual to pass by him. The shift of his stance subtly putting himself between the angry young man and the stranger. "Please excuse us," he says, the utmost politeness in his tone something cold, weaponized.

Then he turns back to Robby. Glancing him up and down. "I'm sorry to interrupt." No, he isn't. "I couldn't help overhearing. I wanted to see if anyone needed assistance."

Those lines, veins, along the young man's skin is painfully reminiscent of the vines his own body occasionally sported. The vines marking corruption here. He could be wrong - he could be assuming too much. But caution would be best.

"I am something of a busybody, aren't I?" he says, mildly, all polite smile, and pretend apology. "Are you all right?"

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you're going where you've been before [open]

CLOSED STARTERS

w/ chozen toguchi (cw: blood, violence)

3!

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post bad times in black space

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