. under starless skies . closed

[shikomizue]

Who: Takasugi Shinsuke (shikomizue) & Others | CLOSED
What: Catch-All for July/August/September
When: July 16th - September
Where: Nadril, Olympia, Wyver
Warning(s): Alcohol Consumption, Sexual Content, TBA

[closed starters in the comments]

Comments

back and gayer than ever

[shikomizue]

[Numbers flash in Takasugi's mind: 246-246 and a draw. He wonders how many times this man had fought his rival king. Likely, there's no answer - this man doesn't seem the type to keep count.

Takasugi's hand grazes the warm fabric between them once more before falling to the man's side. There's nothing soft beneath, muscle and rough hewn clothing a texture he's accustomed to.

Gravitates towards, even without alcohol in his system.]

Have anyone in mind here? [Without looking up, eye locked on some darkened angle of shadow along the man's physique.]

[conqueredhearts]

To fight? Not really. I could likely crush everyone that I know which wouldn't be satisfying in the slightest.

[It's not an insult really. It's more that he knows how strong he is even with his powers weakened as they are. How is anyone supposed to find satisfaction fighting like that?]

So I have decided to indulge in pleasures instead. Like wine and sex.

[shikomizue]

[Well, that's bold. Takasugi's wandering pauses, fingers curling against the man's side where they've come to rest. Liquor and sex are fine enough pursuits - thrilling in their own right, but for a true warrior, nothing can replace blood.

He shakes his head, nudging into the man's physique with his forehead.] Too bad.

I'd like to fight you myself, sometime.

I'm not the type who can be satisfied by anything else. [He peels away, long enough to reach for his drink and take a healthy gulp.] Are you sure that much will sate you?

[conqueredhearts]

Sate me? I never claimed it would sate me. After all, I desire conquest. To say that other pleasures would satisfy me instead would be a terrible falsehood.

[He lifts an arm to flex it. It's not really showing anything off because anyone can already see how massive he is.]

I am the King of Conquerors! I have no desire to see the end of my conquest!

[shikomizue]

Then don't give it up.

I'm sure there are plenty of idiots who would fight you, here.

You could even carve out a kingdom for yourself. [Amazing, how jovially the man admitted to having an insatiable spirit. Takasugi can't decide if he's impressed, or frustrated by the lack of concern in his reply.

Either way, he doesn't want to see this man drink and fuck his days away. At least, not without a kingdom underfoot.]

[conqueredhearts]

Who said I was giving it up? I never said anything like that. I only wish to be human again so I can enjoy the conquest and the battles to their fullest. So I can have every limitation my opponent has. Conquering someone when you can crush them is only humiliation. It is not a conquest at all.

[Nope. He's putting his foot firmly down on this one. No conquering until he's human. And that's final.]

[shikomizue]

[Not human, huh?

Rather than the purity of his warrior's spirit, Takasugi focuses on the man's condition. A samurai should be impressed by such honor, but he's never had much of that.

Only an interest in beasts in human skin.]

What happened to your humanity, Mr. Conqueror?

[conqueredhearts]

I died.

[No hesitation. Just that. That's why he's not human anymore. That right there.]

I am a Spirit now. Summoned by a mage.

[shikomizue]

[Ah.

Takasugi's sure there's an interesting story there.

Though, it doesn't likely end with any carnal need for revenge. Just a simple fact, the way the man stated it.]

Which makes that mage your master, right? Where is he now? [A commander who allows his men quite a bit of freedom is taking quite the risk-

Takasugi's the same.]

[conqueredhearts]

At home, I think.

[He looks upwards and then closes his eyes. For a moment he's quiet while he reaches out to sense where Waver is right now. Because he can always find him since they've forged a bond between them again. A new contract.]

Yes. He's at home.

[shikomizue]

[What a sweet thought, having a master to return to.

Takasugi doesn't try to visualize what this hulking man's mage may look like. His mind drifts to his own master, a far away gaze accompanying the nostalgia.

He washes it away with a drink from Iskandar's glass, stolen right from his hand.] Without him, would you disappear?

[conqueredhearts]

[You'll never believe his Master is who it is, Takasugi. Not ever.]

Perhaps not immediately. I do have quite a bit of mana in my body and I have a habit of using that rather than his own.

[shikomizue]

[That's damn straight.]

But you could... draw his life from him for yourself?

[He'd never consider doing that to his own former master, but...

Anyone else would be fair game.]

[conqueredhearts]

No. Not his life. His mana. His magical energy. This can be connected to life but that's more often seen in those with next to no magic inside them.

[Which is a very basic way of describing things in his world. But it's also the easiest to help someone understand.]

Also, it's a contract between us. He is giving and I am taking. When I bother to take anyway.

[shikomizue]

[A relationship of give and take, huh? Takasugi understands that concept well, his relationship with his master was much the same. He'd never managed to give a damn thing back, and now-

He finishes the liquor he'd stolen, setting the glass on the table harshly.] What would you do without him? [Intent, Takasugi stares at the man as if he's expecting something, some sort of 'right' answer.

Not that he knows what that would be.]