Here we are peeps! Post-Round Adventures! I'm gonna try to limit this to two chapters, so we can move on to Round 2, where the real shiitake begins. So enjoy this little medley of character events. And anyone who knows me knows there's going to be shenanigans, loving and philandering, because I'm a hopeless romantic and I don't get enough of that in real life (or at all lolweep). This'll be broken into "Episodes" listed in bold, so you don't get utterly lost.
Without further ado, let's find out how everyone is celebrating or licking their wounds.
EPISODE 1: MADNESS'S RESPITE
Despite every muscle screaming to seek medical attention or at least pain-killers, Iori bypassed any service or commodity to drag his weary self back to his hotel room. As expected, the day had yielded little fruit; if Chizuru was waiting for some glorious life-changing epiphany, she'd be waiting a little longer.
As he groaned and crawled into the elevator, feeling the room warm with constriction as the door closed... he lingered ever-slightly on Yashiro. Was there a slight satisfaction in silencing the unbearable bemoaning of a onesided rival? Did a modicum of pleasure come from the brief, earnest apology Iori uttered, maybe taking the first of many steps to being a slightly more redeemable person in the eyes of humanity?
...Nah. More he thought about it, sillier it sounded. Forget it. He was just going to do what he always did: crash in bed and try to figure it all out later. If there even was something. Kyo wasn't here, so what was the point of anything? Iori's life had long been entwined with the man... but now he's here, and Kyo was 5600 miles away. He either had to find some other form of stimulation, or just... go home.
Chizuru thought he could do it. Damned woman always tried to see the best in people, even where none resided.
Feeling no better about himself, Iori slothfully fought with the keycard to enter his room... then he finally remembered the door was probably unlocked anyway, so he just shoulder bumped it open and stumbled in.
...As expected, Mature and Vice were in full occupation of his one and only bed. They were laid out atop it, disregarding any modesty with their alluring see-through two-piece lingerie sets. Mature wore white lace, Vice black. They looked like they'd just finished doing their nails, as they glistened in the lamp light with a fresh red coat.
"Oh, hey." they both looked up, said those two words in unison, then immediately looked back down to resume the magazines they were reading to help pass the time as the polish dried.
Iori's face scowled, like he intended to show fight for a moment... but a second later, it returned to the weary inevitability he'd carried the entire walk here. He just didn't care.
The black coat hit the floor. He lazily bent down to pry his shoes off, not bothering to untie them, while still attempting to half-stumble forward. He made it partially in undoing his necktie before he finally just collapsed on the bed with a massive impact, shaking the mattress so hard, they had to cling to it to avoid flying.
"H-hey, easy!" Vice complained.
"Your landmass pectorals could break the bed!" Mature griped.
...No response. Iori was facedown in the pillow, next to Mature, body softly rising and falling with steady breaths.
Sensing that Iori clearly had no bark in him, Mature and Vice hovered over him. They looked at each other, then down to him. Always thrilled to push their luck with him, they started heckling him.
"Hey."
"You awake?"
"Nothing to say?"
"No compliments on my masterful performance against that Sakazaki brat?"
"Would you say something if we played tic tac toe in your skin?"
...Still nothing. Iori clearly wasn't budging this time, passing up the opportunity to engage in age-old banter with them. Deciding there was no fun to be had in tormenting him... they finally gave up and settled down alongside him. At least one good thing came of his docile state: he wouldn't repel their advances.
"Come here, Yaggy~"
Iori offered no resistance, as Mature gently lifted him and pulled him against her, his head collapsing between her bosom, as she began to gently stroke his back. She felt him loosen against her, incentivising her to keep going without fear of retaliation.
"Poor boy... had a rough day?" she cooed, as her fingers danced around his collar, to finish the job he started with his necktie. It slipped off easy enough, and she lifted him up just enough that she could start working on the buttons of his shirt. Little by little they came undone... until finally Vice could slip the shirt off his shoulders from behind and toss it aside.
Mature relaxed herself underneath Iori, allowing his full weight to rest atop her, as she cradled him tenderly, her fingers whimsically playing with the strands of hair behind his ears. "It's okay... you're with us now."
Vice followed suit soon after, lowering herself atop Iori's back slowly, until she draped completely over him, effectively sandwiching him on the bed between the two ladies. She began gently trailing kisses around the available estate on his neck, while her fingers dug into his tense muscles, kneading and unwinding the stressed tissue beneath his broad shoulders.
"We appreciate you starching that Yashiro bastard." Vice purred between kisses. "Best gift you ever got us."
Mature softly massaged his temple with both hands, allowing his face to remain in her bosom, his warm breath tickling her cleavage. "Sleep, Iori. Sleeeeep...close your weary eyes and relax. We'll protect you from the world that hates and fears you. Nobody will ever bother you as long as we're here. Sleeeep...sleeeeeeep..."
A long, airy exhale... seconds later, his arms sauntered upwards, resting on Mature's torso. His body relaxed, and went limp against her. He began to quietly snore...
Man sought several avenues to escape the confusion and uncertainty of a fickle world. For Iori Yagami, he never looked deep in a bottle... never touched drugs. Love, romance... too far in between. The joy and laughter of a friend... he never allowed himself such luxuries. What he sought comfort in was... normality.
For a man who pushed away the entire world, only they dared to defy him. A companionship, a symbiosis, born of madness... not of his choice, but of his volition. His constant, his curse, his... respite.
EPISODE 2: CHECKING OUT, LETTING IN
Naturally, the first stop for many after their fights had been the Munich hospital, where a limited number of ambulances had been hard at work, burning gas to rush fighters back and forth, back and forth... in order to be back in time for the next bloody nose.
Upon arrival, they were evaluated and processed. Their fates were determined: they were either admitted, in which they donned a gown and a bed with IV tubes, or they were prescribed something for the pain and sent on their merry way. Unfortunately, the chaos of the bustling procedures caused more than a few headaches, as well as some unfortunate waits.
Case in point, Mai had been waiting to get checked out for a long time. Granted, she'd been rushed to the hospital suffering MAJOR dehydration, as she'd channeled the apex of her fiery chi into one attack to wipe out Malin, nearly evaporating the liquid from her own body in the process, but she'd been fed a hearty intake of IV fluids for the entire day she'd been sentenced to a bed. If she'd had it her way, she would have donned clothing and went back to the Stadium, to cheer on Andy... but as fate played out, the doctors refused to check her out, and then eventually just FORGOT about her as they struggled to tend to everyone else. By the time Mai was getting ready to raise a fuss, Yuri had been brought in suffering gruesome cuts all over her body... a distraction that finally led to her staying the entire time, until eventually it was too late: Round 1 was over, and Andy had been knocked out cold.
Disappointed though they were to miss out on their respective lovers' epic bout, at least one silver lining could be had: when Andy and Robert woke up, their sweethearts would be there to give them a warm and intimate reception.
"Hahaha! HAHAHA! AHHH! R-Robbi-haaHAHAHA! S-STOOOP!"
Yuri was absolutely losing it, as Robert had buried his face into her collarbone and was motorboating his lips up her neck...finally reaching her ear, in which he pinched her lobe and was tugging it in all directions, much like a dog on a chew toy. Yuri was feeling hypersensitive tonight, and everything Robert did was tickling her to tears.
"R-ROBBIE I'm gonna pee the B-EEED HAAHHAAHHAAH!"
"I can't help that my babe is so sexy in a hospital gown." Robert cooed as he continued to assault her neck all the way up to her cheek... finally ending his journey with a smooch on her lips. In an instant, the mood changed; no more laughs and cutting up... their lips began to explore passionately, as Robert relaxed himself onto Yuri's bed and began to commit to his craft. He was careful not to push his weight against her, knowing she was wounded... his touches were delicate and doting, like Yuri was his priceless artifact, his most precious possession.
"Mmmph... mmph.. mmmph-ohh Robbie... mmph..Robbie..." Yuri moaned his name between kisses, and it drove him that much wilder. His lips grew more aggressive, his face pushing harder against hers, nasal breaths increasing in volume and urgency, as the air became harder and harder to grasp in their furious battle of lips. His hands began to trail up her bare leg, creeping up her thigh, to bypass the flimsy veil of her gown...
"Mmph- ahh! Robbie..." a loud smack of their lips separated the kiss, so Yuri could breath. "I-I've got stitches..."
"Mm, that doesn't rule everything out..." Robert's warm breath moaned mischievous words into her ear, shivering her into a giggle.
"Teeehehehehe... Papa-san would kill you a thousand times if he heard you talk like that."
"Well, Takuma's not here is he?" Robert poured it on. "He's thousands of miles away, and he can't touch me."
Yuri was getting aroused hearing her man speak so brazenly in defiance of her father's iron will. She brought her arms around Robert's neck and pulled him down on her... and their lips connected once again, albeit with more rapid, pecking smooches, as they attempted to talk.
"Did I-mmph-look-mmph-good-mmph-out there?"
"I thought you had that fight in the bag, baby." Robert softly purred as his lips trailed back down her neck with quick pecks. "I just wish I could've put on a better show for YOU..."
"Oh you looked fine, Robbie." Yuri smiled. "The way you took Andy out was totally epic. So what if you got caught a little in the shockwave? As far as I'm concerned, you DID win. You knocked out your opponent. Period. Screw the details."
Robert chuckled as his face came back up, nose-to-nose with hers. "You're just saying that to make me feel better."
"...Did it work~?" Yuri grinned.
"Well you tell me." Robert replied smoothly. "Am I laying in seclusion, bitching and moaning about not making it to Round 2... or am I making sweet love to my sexy Karate girl?"
Yuri giggled wildly. "Oh you better be doing Option B, my suave Karate hunk."
The invitation was accepted, as their lips became one again... and no more sultry suggestions were traded. No more words; just whatever passionate actions they could perform to bypass the limitations of Yuri's stitches. Luckily, there were alternatives indeed.
It took Andy much longer to wake up from his nap. Between the two, it could be said he had taken the worse of the exchanges; of course this is all arguable. Regardless, the Bogard was tuckered out. When his eyes closed and darkness overtook him, his last thoughts were of failure... failure as a fighter. A disgraceful performance, in front of his brother, Hokutomaru, Joe, Mai...
...When his eyes re-opened, two beautiful amber eyes were looking into his.
"Wake up, sleepyhead~"
"M-mai..mmmmmmmmph..."
Andy barely had time to utter her name before those chocolate almonds closed, and the luscious taste of her lips engulfed his own, sending a warm shiver of pleasure throughout his re-invigorated body. He started to wish the kiss would last forever; that he never had to leave this comfort, at this moment, and return to the failures of the outside.
But alas, her lips left his finally... "Did you sleep well?"
Mai seemed in high spirits, sitting atop his stomach with her feet draped at the sides, her hands on his chest, eyes brimming with life as they stared into his. Not what he expected... did she not see his fight?
"Forget about me, Mai." Andy humbly dismissed. "Are YOU okay? You scared me earlier."
Mai shot him a goofy look. "Pssssh! I'm FINE, Andy. Sheesh. They pumped me full of fluids all day. I had to pee, like, A LOT. But I'm just sorta chilling here now... the doctors never freaking discharged me, so I was stuck here all day! I think they just didn't want me to put any clothes back on~"
Andy could already feel his corroded soul rekindling with warmth upon seeing Mai act like her cheery, bubbly, confident self. She radiated it, like a furnace... those waves couldn't help but permeate his own self, and lift his own spirits alongside her.
"Ah Andy..." she calmed down a bit, spreading herself out atop Andy and laying down against him, head finding his chest. "I'm sorry I wasn't there for your fight. You mad at me?"
Mad... at HER? Andy couldn't believe what his ears captured. If anything it should be...!
"Mai..." Andy's voice wavered a bit. He wasn't good at showing emotions. "I... I thought you'd be mad at ME, for that... pathetic performance. Getting knocked out like that by Robert..."
"Are you KIDDING?!" Mai's head perked up, mesmerizing him with those browns. "You never looked sexier, taking out Robert the way you did! I mean, yeah you sorta got clipped too... and uh... you haven't exactly been yourself this week. But cmon Andy, you know I'll never be mad at you over petty stuff like a fighting competition. Cmon! Who do you think I am, some basic bitch? I love you to death!"
Hearing that restored some semblance of hope back into Andy's soul... knowing that he couldn't disappoint Mai with his fighting ability... he'd never not be enough for her... it was enough to make him want to do cartwheels. Losing Mai was all he feared in the world, but now... they never felt stronger.
But Andy knew, deep down... he couldn't hide from the truth. He couldn't deny a part of him, whether it yearned to break free, or simply rest in peace. With a deep breath, a clearing of throat... he steeled himself to give Mai a revelation that he'd long been suppressing.
"Mai... can I be honest with you for a second? Down to my core honest?"
Mai rolled off of him, and the two lay side by side on the bed, though the minimal space still caused her to cram against him, body to body. "We wouldn't be the most beautiful couple in the world if you weren't honest with me. Shoot Andy!"
Andy let out an exhale. "Okay... wheww.. here it goes... Mai... look. A part of me will always be a martial artist, you know that. But all in all? I just... don't... care about fighting anymore."
The words, though what Mai expected, still didn't fail to feel foreign in her ears. She'd known. It was obvious something was different about Andy lately. But to hear the words come OUT... it still sent a shuddering feeling of the unknown coursing in her.
"Why not?"
Andy's eyes turned fierce. "Because... I wasted so much of my life on stupid macho goals! Trying to best my brother... clinging to my warrior values so religiously, that you suffered as a result! THAT'S why I can't... I just don't feel the fire in me anymore. All that time I wasted... that time that could've been OURS... I frittered it away because of my training!"
"A-Andy..." his words so powerfully bounced on her, she could feel her skin warm from the passionate radiation he exuded.
"Well never again!" Andy exclaimed. "You're the most important thing to me in life, Mai. Our love is something that has no price, no comparison. If I could be happy with you for the rest of my life... I'd never compete again! I'd never throw another kick!"
She couldn't help it: the sheer power of her lover expressing his feelings formed tears in her eyes. Happy tears? Sad? There was no label... it was merely the shockwave of his pure, unfiltered emotion pouring out.
"I see a future for us, Mai." Andy continued. "I see us getting married... running a dojo together. I could keep training Hokutomaru, and one day he'll be my successor... everything that I used to be, I pass on to him, and we can live a peaceful life, teaching students, being together always. Who needs dumb fighting competitions? I have YOU!"
Mai couldn't help it: sometimes, she was a real sucker for the sap. "Oh ANDY...!"
She forcefully snatched his head and smashed his lips together against hers, their faces squished together, nostrils drawing sharp breaths as they moaned into each others mouths. It seemed like an eternity before their lips pulled away with a wet SMOOCH! complete with a small bridge of saliva broken between them...
"Andy... that all sounds wonderful." Mai spoke. "As long as it's what you want, I'll support it. But you need to know something, Andy... not for one second do I hold any resentment towards you for pursuing your passions. I would have waited my entire life for you if I had to... please believe me when I say that."
Andy's response was to tighten his grip around her, as his face slowly crept back towards her... his nose touched against hers as he whispered one last reassuring word:
"You'll never have to."
The sexy whisper of his voice reduced Mai to melting butter. She fell into him, her lips sloppily attacking his, unrestrained and unobstructed. Nobody would take this from them... THEIR moment.
As they broke slob once again, Mai whispered to him: "Andy... I'm not wearing anything under this hospital gown."
Andy smiled. "Neither am I."
With a sultry boop on the nose, Mai grinned and broke away, to get off the bed. She turned away and made her way towards the door... Andy could clearly tell she wore nothing underneath, as the crisscrossing pattern of knots that held the gown together stopped short of her backside, leaving most of her bare ass exposed as the tail ends of the gown fluttered freely. The longer he stared, the more desperate he was to recapture her in his hospital bed...
Mai slid a food cart in front of the door and turned back around, her predatory gaze locked on Andy for the kill... she pounced the bed and the wild events between these two powerful lovers began, before they were even able to check out. At least if they were discovered... they probably WOULD be discharged. Forcefully.
"Mmph...mmmph.. Mai... someone might see..."
"Mmph...mmmph... I dare anyone who sees me getting busy to try and interrupt..."
EPISODE 3: DINNER AND RECRUITMENT WOES
In the dining hall of Castle Stronheim, most of the fighters had gathered for dinner. The fight between Iori and Yashiro had concluded some time ago, and the final fight was soon to be underway, if not already. But for all these guys... their day was over. It was either time for bed, or food, or other shenanigans...
"Wanna join our club?"
"Piss off." Angel rudely bumped past Big, nearly stumbling the guy with the force of her cold shoulder... which was literally a shoulder.
"Hey dude, it's the offer of a lifetime. You'd be rolling in riches!"
Shingo scratched his chin as he pondered. "Hmmmm... well uh, it certainly sounds cool and all but... uh... I sorta have things going on in... Japan. I can't afford to move to Southtown. So... gonna have to pass! Sorry!"
"Would you like to join our social club~?" Big leaned down and asked in the sweetest, most sugary voice his black lungs could muster...
Hotaru's cheeks flared as she put her hands close to her meek face and bowed. "I- I am not interested! Please excuse me!"
"You wanna j-"
"No." Gato brusquely shot out that dejecting word, faster than an Ukyo quickdraw. He never stopped walking, retreating from the dining room and into the hallways.
"Welp, I tried." Yamazaki shrugged, pocketed his favorite hand, and walked away.
"I'm a patient guy, King." Big sneered. "I could do this all century if I have to."
"No." King folded her arms and stood her ground.
"Cmon."
"No."
"Please?"
"No."
"I'll give you a million dollars."
King raised an eyebrow... her arms unfolded and rested on each of her hips. She suddenly got a smirk, and looked to Big's left. "Tell you what... why don't you have Ryuji ask me, and see how that goes?"
Big started to get excited; maybe the key to this was if it wasn't HIM?
King merely gesticulated with her hand, as if saying "go on". Big cut his head towards Yamazaki, and motioned with it several times, beckoning the thug to step forward. Yamazaki looked at him weird, then King, then down at his feet... with a shrug, he stepped forward and cleared his throat.
"A-ha-ha-hem! Uhhh... you wanna join our gang that's gonna take over South-"
"NON~!" King blurted with a catlike grin. She then burst out laughing.
"Dammit King!" Big growled through clenched teeth. "Just tell me why! Give me a reason!"
King's face narrowed, a strong indication she was getting irritated. "Because I'm not a bad person. I'm a good person. And I don't care for you very much, Big."
"B-but good and bad are subjective! They're points of view!" Big whined. "Cmon, don't you care about always having money to support yourself? Your brother? Your cat? Isn't that a good intention?"
King rolled her eyes, as her fist found the underside of her chin. "You know, I just LOVE how you wait until Ryo's not around to come badgering me with this nonsense. And from my point of view, I'd rather make it in this world the honest way, because I'm doing what I love and I'm DAMN good at it. So if you want a nice cocktail or to get your face shredded by my vicious hellbows... I'm your gal. Otherwise, you can get lost and go bitch to your hairdresser."
With that, King patted him on his bald head, twirled around on her heels, and strutted away to get some nice leftover food and wine from Krauser's banquet.
Big was left there... looking stupid and defeated as usual. "Th-that's it? You take pride in working honest? That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard! Why sweat for change when you can just have infinite money and resources?! Give me a GOOD reason, dammit!"
"You just said good and bad are subjectiiiiiive~" King mocked with a singsong voice and a laugh.
"GRRRRRRRR... screw this. I'm done." Big threw his hands up, and walked over to his secluded table, where he, Raiden, Hwa Jai, Chang and Choi were all sitting. "At least I got you guys. Hey LAURENCE! HEY! LAURENCE! BRING ME A BOTTLE OF ANYTHING!"
Laurence Blood was far from eager to cater to the whims of Mr. Big... but the lord of the castle, his lord Krauser, demanded the guests be treated and served well. With an annoyed grunt, he carried a bottle over to Big, presenting it to him.
As Big snatched the bottle, he took a moment to keep his eyes on Laurence... he rubbed his chin, and started back up again. "Cmon Laurence, give it a thought. Don't you ever get tired of being that guy's housemaid?"
Laurence shot him the most deadpan look he could muster. "Tired? Do I ever get tired of living in comfort my whole life, with good food, wealth, status, and secure walls? Gee, let me think about it!"
He didn't give Big the dignity of a further response, as he spun around and walked away with an extra wounding step in his feet. With a pout, Big's cheek sank into his hand, as he busted open the cap. "Hmph. Bitch."
He then turned his attention to the guys in front of him: his new recruits. "So... how are you guys? Having fun with Big's Crew? Name pending?"
"Whatever" Hwa Jai started.
"Gets us" Raiden continued.
"Away from" Chang carried it.
"THOSE PSYCHOS!" Choi played it out on a high note, proving that this whole endeavor was less about helping Big on his foolish mission... and more about escaping the never-ending cycle of crazy they'd been trapped in for so long.
"Where are those Korean lunatics anyway?" Big questioned, searching around the dining hall: everyone was in their own cliques, enjoying some food and drink and light conversation, but Kim and Jhun were nowhere to be found.
Joe, who casually walked by with a plate, commented. "If you're asking about Kim and Jhun, they're in the courtyard."
"What are they doing, making out?" Malin rudely suggested between bites of her schnitzel, demonstrating her manners by expelling pieces of food all over a cringing Shingo.
"They're probably arguing about who can kick higher." Joe snarked. "Of course, I don't really see what the point in that is. Neither of them hold a candle to-"
"Awww you're too sweet Joe." King winked.
"...Was going to say Robert but..."
"Good thing you didn't." King flashed a little thumbs up as she walked onward, balancing a glass of red wine in her fingers.
The festivities resumed at a calm, rather quiet pace, perhaps a result of the fatigue plaguing the majority of them. Hinako and Xiangfei still tore a destructive path through the leftovers, Ralf and Clark shared their own personal drinking circle with Mary, Ramon, Vanessa... and Angel was in the corner, leering at the five of them nonstop.
"She seems mad." Vanessa whispered, trying to subtly cut her eyes without actually looking like she was doing so.
"She should be." Mary grunted. "We got our Ramon back. Right, bud?"
Despite the heavy nudge from her, Ramon took the hit... and his eye remained only downward, solemnly peering into his drink: tequila on the rocks. Their favorite.
"Yeah, screw her. You don't need that shit, man." Ralf backed up, taking a swig of beer from the bottle. "Bitch is crazy."
"I know she was your project, dude." Clark joined in. "But it's not worth it. Some people are just born into this world without some of the basic human decencies that people ought to have. That's her. Just let her go, man."
Ramon took in their slanderous remarks, their supportive jabs against her in his favor... but never would Ramon join in. For he was always good at heart, and even now... he saw something in Angel that the rest of them didn't. Whether he chose to continue this pursuit, at physical risk, he was still uncertain... it seemed almost like a war in his heart, to decide which way to go. But deep down, he knew the answer: he KNEW there was something there, if he pushed hard enough. He was going to save Angel.
"I'm going to sit with her." Ramon started, setting down his drink and rising up. Immediately, Vanessa and Mary snatched both arms before he could even lift his butt up.
"The hell you are!" Vanessa grunted. "Ramon, what are you thinking? She's bad news!"
"But I-" Ramon defied.
"LISTEN TO VANESSA." Mary sternly commanded. "She's a NESTS byproduct. A f***ing psychopath. She doesn't care about you. She'd break your neck if the weather was right. LET IT...GO."
Before Ramon had a chance to protest, it was too late; Angel had clearly heard their mudslinging, angrily leaped to her feet, her body aggressively pushing the table in the process. Without a single word, she stomped away to the sleeping quarters.
Ramon, with a defeated sigh, settled back down and returned to his drink.
"Wonder what's keeping Andy and Mai." Terry casually commented to Joe, taking a hearty mouthful of his stroganoff.
"Ryo's not here yet either." Joe mentioned. "Sounds like maybe Mai and Yuri are making a scene and keeping them there?"
"Um, can we not say those names please?" Malin raised her voice a few feet away. "I'm trying to enjoy my meal without puking, thanks."
"Oh shit!" Joe abruptly blurted. He stealthily tapped Terry to turn around. "Trouble. 1 o' clock."
Terry turned. "Did Kim and Jhun's war make its way indo... oh."
Regardless of their intentions to make a scene, which there were none... all eyes were on the trio that had nonchalantly sauntered into the castle. Chris led the way, hands in his pockets, suspicious eyes daring anyone to try and approach to start trouble. Shermie brought up the rear, and the Frenchwoman was somehow carrying the massive body of Yashiro on her shoulders, which were taking the brunt of the weight. Yashiro seemed weak, almost unresponsive... maybe his mortal form was hanging on a thread, which would explain their heightened defensiveness.
The three finally just parked themselves in front of the dining hall. All eyes were on them. Krauser especially had his eye cocked, deciding to free his hands from utensils just in case.
Chris and Shermie just continued to stare back at them. Until finally, Chris broke the silence.
"What? Got something you want to say? Maybe a few grievances to air out? Well, tough crap! We don't have time for it!"
Since nobody else seemed eager to take the first swing... Joe's reckless attitude offered him the initiative. "Uhhhh... so they're not welcome here, right? They tried to destroy the human population and all. They're bad guys."
Terry surprisingly opposed his friend's point of view. "Well Ryuji is one of them too, but we still love him."
From across the room, Yamazaki raised his glass with a grin in acknowledgement.
"Lord Krauser." Shermie approached with the heavy Yashiro on her back... despite being burdened, the Frenchwoman STILL never failed to pour on her classic sultry wiles, flashing a seductive little smile underneath those bangs. "Won't you please give us a room? Don't make me have to persuade you~"
Krauser's face flinched slightly upon the utter SEXUAL undertones oozing off that word. One could swear his face was warming a bit, and one could SWEAR he was crossing his thighs slightly, as if to stifle an erection.
"L-Laurence!" he bellowed. "Show these three to a vacant guest room! We don't discriminate against any guests, regardless of their past affiliation. Now all of you, stop gawking and get back to your meals! And for god's sake, get Hinako something to drink. Girl's barely swallowing her food."
Shermie blew a little two-finger kiss at Krauser as the big man walked away, trying to hide a blush. With a sigh, Laurence escorted the three of them towards the hallways, to find an empty room.
With the spectacle over, everyone returned to normal. Which meant a certain nuisance opened his mouth again...
"So uh... if there's anyone I haven't asked to join Big's Crew, please raise your hand!"
Not one hand even bothered to shoot up.
"Oh you guys are dicks."
EPISODE 4: MADNESS'S PROMISE
Between the eternal mental strain of maintaining a physical form, and the actual strenuous work to drag Yashiro this far, Shermie was feeling the fatigue of the day's events. By the time she got Yashiro into their own private room, she was ready for bed like any other. Of course, she had to affirm Yashiro's well-being first, as he mattered most, so she willed herself awake a little longer, to tend to him.
"There we go. Eeeeeeeeasy." Shermie spoke in a soft, therapeutic voice as she slowly lowered Yashiro, gradually slipping him off her shoulders... unfortunately, she couldn't control him on the way down, so he crashed hard on the mattress and even bounced up a little.
"Unghh!"
"Merde! Are you okay?"
"F-fine... I'm fine." Yashiro grunted. "I didn't think I could feel pain anymore. That bastard Yagami... ungh..."
"You overtaxed your body, sweetie." Shermie spoke sympathetically, reaching over to gently caress his arm, from the shoulder down. "Not as easy to use our true semblance as it used to be."
Yashiro groaned, but slowly started to ease off at her simple touch. "I had to, Shermie... I had to. I wouldn't have been able to carry on if I left that battle with any regrets. I left everything in that ring with him... EVERYTHING... and he still won. I couldn't... I wasn't strong enough to settle the score."
Shermie knew he was hurting inside. But she also knew what she was best at... so instead of lamenting with him, she surprised him with a coy smile. She slowly crawled onto the bed... her leg found its way over his waist, until she was straddling him. Her hand began to trace his defined chin, as she lectured:
"Yagami is unimportant now. Yashiro, babyyyyyy... you're letting the mission slip away from you at times! You can't let personal vendettas get in the way of what we're doing... because then you're as feeble-minded as those other three. We're the only ones who are fit to carry out Orochi's Will, remember? It has to be us~"
Yashiro felt himself getting a little distracted... borderline addle-minded at Shermie's position atop him... but the sting of his failure inspired enough humility for him to power through it.
"Or you." he coldly responded, turning his head and attention away from her, which Shermie HATED.
"M-me? What do you mean? You better not be quitting on me again, mister!" as she shouted those words, she unconsciously pushed down and bounced on top of him, shaking the entire bed... and his loins.
Yashiro turned back towards her... his eyes sad. "I'm not fit to lead anymore. They'll never listen to me now... not after I've shown weakness. It has to... urrngh... is has to be you, Shermie. I need you to win for me. Please..."
"Oh baby, shh shh shhhhhh..." Shermie allured him with soft, pillowy hushes, leaning down to press her cheek against his and gently stroke from his jawline, down his neck. "You know I'd do anything for you. Very well then. But... I need you to trust me. Do you trust me?"
Yashiro closed his eyes and relaxed into her touch. His words flowed naturally, almost instinctively. "With my life."
Those defining lips of hers slowly curved... into her devilish smile.
"Goooood... now then, let's get you nice and comfy~"
Yashiro initially raised an eyebrow when she suddenly dismounted him and cleared the bed... but when her hands traveled towards the rim of his pants, he tensed up and began stammering.
"Sh-Sh-Sh-Shermie, my body-"
"I just need to check your vitals... so to speak." Shermie giggled with that last word. "What better way than to see if your bits and pieces are still functioning~?"
Yashiro nearly yelped in a very un-masculine tone as his pants were jerked down, and free of his feet. "I...I'm not sure I can...!"
"Oh you can." Shermie purred. "I'll help you. And afterwards, you can fall asleep on my breasts... your favorite pillow, no~?"
"Oh uh... oh wow... Shermie uh.. Sh-SHERMIE! Uh... oh boy. I love you..."
"By the time I'm done with you..." Shermie promised, "You'll be saying "Yagami who?"
Any further words from her fallen lover were suspended by the delicate pressing of her lips to his, as her pink dress lay in a crumpled mess at the floor, alongside his article. The two pieces of clothing seemed to blend together beautifully on the floor of the room... in an almost unholy symbolic way...like an ouroborus.
EPISODE 5: WEATHERED
Gato's endeavor to be easily the most quiet, taciturn contender of the tournament continued well into the night, as he had slipped away in seclusion to grab a relaxing soak... in none other than one of the most restricted rooms of the castle: Krauser's hot tub.
Looking for a death wish? No... he wasn't suicidal, just layered. He secretly wished Krauser would discover him and get mad, so Gato could test his skills against the former Southtown emperor. He wasn't afraid of him. He was just a man... and there were far more terrifying men out there, as Gato could tell you personally.
He relaxed himself, leaning back against the wooden rim, keeping his upper torso and head elevated, while his long dark hair partially dampened from where it hung low and sank into the depths. A slight groan of content... a hot tub was a soothing place for him. Not just to alleviate his muscles... a nice place to reflect. Much had happened in only one day; he won his fight rather easily, but that was the least of his concerns. Much as he tried to avoid it, he found himself getting roped back into her world... if there was but one thing Gato feared, it was any danger befalling H-
"Heya Gato!" a sugary coo interrupted. "Room for one more~?"
In an amazing feat of self-control, Gato's eyes didn't sharply cut towards the unfamiliar voice permeating his privacy, as opposed to normal human behavior. No... he CHOSE to look over and see the intruder who'd come to once again test his patience: a waving B. Jenet, who had her eyes closed, head tilted, and a goofy smile. Furthermore, she was wearing a periwinkle fuzzy bathrobe, with a sash securely tied on it. She kept approaching, step by methodical step... her eyes now fixated on Gato, hoping he would show some sign of acceptance.
He did not. Gato merely turned his eyes away, pretending as if the room was still empty, save for himself and the water jet. Jenet pouted slightly... but it faded quickly, as she returned to her giddiness... and suddenly she went even further in the opposite direction of defeated, to a mischievous smile...
Without any inkling of warning, Jenet walked over to the tub, undid the sash, opened her robe wide... a quick toss to the ground, and Jenet was now free of the cloth...and EVERYTHING else.
In an unprecedented, almost unfathomable display of control, Gato's eyes performed the impossible and did not detour to admire Jenet's naked beauty. She was but a silky white and blonde blur in his peripheral vision, even as she disregarded his consent to crawl into the tub with him.
"Ahhhhhhhh... feels amazing on my skin~" Jenet moaned as she relaxed on the adjacent side of the appliance, her blonde hair hanging out the back, her chest bobbing on the surface and struggling to stay submerged. In the clear water, there was little to be imagined underneath, save for a slightly distorted image.
Not that Gato was bothering to look anyway. The man simply didn't care. At this point, one would question his... anatomical stability... but he surprisingly did break the silence.
"Shouldn't you be playing with that bird brain?"he snarled, eyes remaining averted.
Jenet's face wavered. "Tizoc is... not talking to me for some reason. I think something's seriously wrong with him. He hasn't been the same since his win."
"So I'm just your rebound." he retorted, still looking completely unimpressed with the situation. There was no getting a rise out of him, it seemed.
Jenet took that with a slight smirk. "Oh you're so cute when you're jealous, Gato. You know I love you... but you have nobody to blame but yourself. If you didn't cruelly spurn me all the time, maybe I'd hang out with you more, and not Tizoc~" She flashed a little wink upon finishing that sentence, producing a tiny pink heart that floated upwards for a few seconds, before dissolving into the night air.
Gato rolled his eyes and looked further away. "Great. Tizoc was the only thing keeping you at bay, and now you come running to me to satisfy your... thirst for life, or whatever mental condition you suffer from."
"It's called ADVENTURE, Gato." Jenet raised her voice slightly, while still maintaining a jovial wink. "AD-VEN-TURE! I live for it. I want to explore the vast reaches, climb the forbidden heights, sail the impossible voyages... that's what you are. You're my adventure, Gato~"
More hearts fluttered, too many in volume to swat away, as they swarmed the annoyed man's face and at last broke his composure, eliciting a grimace as he brought his arm up brusquely to swat them away, sending water particles flying haphazardly in the room. Some of them splattered on Jenet's face, and she laughed about it... and sent water splashing back.
"SPLASH FIGHT!" she declared as she sent a hearty diffusion of H2O directly into Gato's face... the man didn't recoil in the slightest. His eyes didn't even blink! The man was a boulder!
"...Jeez Gato, I think you're the one with a condition." Jenet's face twisted. "Cmon, just talk to me eh? What happened in your life that made you so crusty?"
Gato didn't respond, simply let out a airy snort from his nostrils. Jenet frowned; he was a tough one to budge... thus she upped her game a bit. Gato couldn't help but notice the trickling sound of the still water being disturbed... he looked over, and noticed Jenet had officially crossed the border, the threshold between their respective sides of the tub. She was now directly to his right, their bodies inches apart, her back now resting on the same edge his was. She leaned her head over... and rested atop his pectoral.
"Cmon... talk to me Gato. Please~?"
He looked down at the blonde mop laying against him, her forehead tilted upwards, those beautiful aqua irises peering up at him with wonder... he felt himself began to slowly crumble. With a small sigh, he began to speak.
"You don't know what it's like, having to constantly... detach yourself... from other people. Other...particular people."
"You mean family?" Jenet inquired. "Well, I DO actually know what that's like. I detach myself from my own parents because they're fuds who try to stifle my lifestyle! Yo ho hell no, I say~!"
Gato growled slightly in annoyance. "No, you DON'T understand. Your reasons are juvenile... rebelling against authority? What are you, some teenager sneaking out to a party? There's a reason I have to be the way I am... and it's a lot more purposeful than your simplistic pursuit of thrills."
Jenet knew he was going to come on strong... his defenses always were. It was hard not to be shunned by the harsh words and jagged criticisms. But she took them all the best she could... absorbed them like a sponge, and kept going. "Just tell me what it has to do with Hotaru, though! All she wants is to-"
"HOTARU... IS... not a factor in my life." Gato sharply interjected through gritted teeth. "She is meaningless! As long as she stays out of my way, everything moves forward as it should be. I just need to get stronger... I NEED to be powerful enough to destroy my enemies. I can't do that with her around!"
Jenet felt herself wince at those words... to hear a man spout such cruelty...!
...But still she persisted. It was all a ruse. A facade. A mask. She could break him. Picking her head from his chest, she turned around in the tub, until she was facing him... their bodies in dangerously close proximity. She lifted a hand out of the water and pressed it to his cheek.
"You don't mean that, Gato. You're not fooling me." she smiled. "You may be the most sour hunk of chiseled granite I've ever known... but one day, you'll crack. One day, you'll realize that you can't keep pushing away the thing that matters to you most in life. You're only hurting yourself... but you're hurting someone else even more. Remember that."
With that, Bonne Jenet unleashed her coup de grace, the ultimate move in her arsenal... she pressed herself against Gato, holding him tight in a warm, genuine embrace. She held him there for several, several precious seconds, silently awaiting his arms to wrap around her in return... but of course it never came.
"Oh Gato..." she whispered. "You must be so tired of having to suppress yourself like this. How do you sleep at night?"
"...Many nights, I don't." he whispered in response, his voice coarse like gravel.
"If you ever need help... just tell me." Jenet responded, her face still against his chest. "Whether you need help sleeping, or someone to talk to... I'm here for you. We're teammates."
A moment of silence filled the room. Suddenly...
"Th.."
She gasped; what was that?! She held her bated breath, her heart nearly skipping a beat...
"...Thank you."
She nearly melted inside the pool when she heard it. A long, blissful sigh rang out as she fell to putty against him, a volley of pink hearts spilling out of her like air escaping a deflating balloon.
"There's hope for you yet, Gato." she giggled.
EPISODE 6: THE DARK BOUT
"THIS IS A SPECIAL PRESENTATION OF... KING OF FIGHTERS!"
"It is nighttime here in Munich, Germany, but the Allianz Arena is still very much alive! Welcome to this special coverage of the King of Fighters Twilight Tournament! I'm your commentator, Wolf Rossman, and here with me, my partner Joel Hassel."
"Yeah Ross, we're not here for long, just a single fight happening here on this late evening broadcast... but the stakes are still as real as ever! You've watched 48 contestants battle their hearts out to secure their spot in Round 2, but the story tonight is... what, Ross?"
"We are talking about ONE empty spot still available here, Hass! Robert Garcia and Andy Bogard fought tooth and nail, but in the end the two dudes took each other out in an epic double knockout. Tonight, two lucky fighters who submitted their name in a sweepstakes have the chance of a lifetime!"
"That's right, Ross! One battle... one entry card. The winner of this bout will be advancing to Round 2!"
"On that note Hass, it looks like they're about to get started here. Let's cut to Hyena in the ring for the pre-fight introductions."
"Shouldn't we be watching this?"
"After we just got the water hot? Sorry. I'm not moving from this spot for at least an hour."
"Yeah fair enough... need help opening that?"
Setting his on the side of the tub, Terry beckoned with his fingers; with a sheepish grin, Mary leaned over slightly and surrendered her Heineken to him. Terry gave it one well-placed twist, despite his wet hands, and the bottlecap came off with ease.
"There you go, beautiful."
"Thanks daaahling." Mary mocked with a faux accent and a giggle.
CLINK! their bottles connected in a consummating toast, and the two blonde lovers relaxed on their respective sides of the tub. Despite it being only large enough to fit one, since Krauser only furnished all these rooms to entertain singular guests, they somehow managed to cram both Terry's gigantic frame and Mary's more petite body into the same bathtub, and give the two enough breathing space to occupy opposite ends. Not to say it wasn't an endeavor: they just barely managed to make it work, as their legs were effectively overlapping across the minimal length of the bathroom appliance. Terry's upper torso was completely hanging out, and the white, frothy bubble soup that enveloped the water managed to only cover his lower pelvis. Mary fared a little better, being the smaller of the two, but even she was sticking up out of the water a fair height, as the contents of the tub only reached upwards of her stomach. Her breasts managed to just barely kiss the surface of the suds, glazing them in a light, modest foam.
"Can you nail the volume from here?"
"I didn't take the remote with me, genius." Mary smirked with a wink. "It's probably on the bed. ANTON, SWEETIE! TV!"
Anton, who was laying peacefully on the bed, suddenly perked up upon hearing his mommy's voice. He looked ahead a few inches, at the remote laying by his paws. He stared it for about ten seconds... then quizzically tilted his head. Ten more seconds of staring... finally, he placed his paw upon the volume button and jacked it up sky high.
From the bathroom, they could now hear the roaring audience attempting to die down at the announcements were soon to be made.
"GOOD BOY!" Mary complimented.
"That is a good dog." Terry laughed.
"The best." Mary winked. Another clinking of bottles ensued.
On the tv, Hyena was still waiting for the audience to quiet down. With a clearing of his throat, and a rubbing of his giant pink nose... he brought the mic up and demonstrated his shady salesman voice:
"LADIEEEEES AAAAAAAAAAND GENTLEMEEEEEEN! WE ARE LIVE FOR A SPECIAL POSTLIMINARY BOUT IN THE KING OF FIGHTERS TWILIGHT TOURNAMENT! INTRODUCING FIRST, FIGHTING OUT OF THE BLUE CORNER... A KARATE FIGHTER HAILING FROM BRAZIL! HE REPRESENTS THE KYOKUGENRYU KARATE STYLE! GIVE IT UP FOR... KHUSHNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD BUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUTT!"
"AND HIS OPPONENT, FIGHTING OUT OF THE RED CORNER... A BOXER AND A WRESTLER, HAILING FROM THE USA! THIS GIFTED ATHLETE IS A VETERAN OF KING OF FIGHTERS! GIVE IT UP FOR... HEAAAAAVYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY D!"
"Sounds like a good one." Terry said, taking a swig of his beer.
"Yeah... lucky them..." Mary looked away as she said those words with a hint of a dejected tone.
"Aw baby..." Terry sympathized. "Cmon now. You were badass out there against Clark."
"I guess." Mary chuckled. "I just wish I had cranked a little harder on his leg. Maybe if I tore it off, he wouldn't have got me."
"Cmon, Mary. He needs those legs, the poor guy," Terry laughed. "He probably almost loses them on a daily basis."
The two shared a moment of laughter, as they took a second to sip their respective beers, while also listening in on the tv.
"Khushnood circles around! He throws a kick- OHH D tags him with a hard right! Butt is dropping! Butt scrambles on the ground and he's back up! Fierce kicks from Butt! D is blocking them well, and he counters with a hard shot!"
"D is fighting like a man who WANTS that King of FIghters gold, Ross! He's been denied far too many times!"
"Agreed, Hass. The American Sports Team have had a horrible run of luck in their King of Fighters career, and tonight could be the night to change that!"
"D IS GOING HARD INSIDE BUTT! BUTT CAN'T TAKE MUCH MORE OF D!"
"Hey Mary..." Terry called out to her.
"Hm?"
"I... I miss Rocky." Terry suddenly got very sentimental on her. "I wonder what he's up to nowadays..."
Mary's face turned sympathetic. With a swig of her beer, she chose her next words carefully. "I'm sure Rock's doing fine, babe. He just needs to find himself is all, ya know? The kid's had a... well... very interesting life."
"It's just that, when I'm out there fighting, seeing my name up in lights..." Terry continued. "Sighh... I wish he was here with me, to share it."
"Yeah..." Mary's voice got softer and softer.
"BUTT IS COMING ON STRONG! HE'S LAUNCHING PROJECTILES TO GET IN CLOSE! D MIGHT BE IN TROUBLE HERE!"
"OHHH look at that. A smooth takedown for Heavy D. Guy may be a boxer, but we can't forget those wrestling chops."
"Yes sir, he wrestled at the national level. Number 1 in his high school and college, if I recall."
"One day, Rock is going to come back." Mary reassured him with a smile. "Just you wait."
"I hope he's healthy. I hope he's eating enough..." Terry worried.
Mary snickered. "Dude... do you hear yourself? All you need are mitts and an apron."
Terry shot her a look...but the snickers spilled out a second later. "The kid needs something, alright?! I'll be his mom, his dad, his freaking Great Aunt Hilda who wears shitty perfume and complains about her bunions if I have to!"
Mary was cracking up. "You'd make a great Great Aunt Hilda. Just need some nice stockings and some horrible makeup to make your cheeks rosy~"
"...Yeah, that would make Rock disappear for good."
"Heeheeheehee!"
"Butt is preparing for a huge blast! HIS FINISHING MOVE!"
"Wait... what is this? What is this?! Ross, an unidentified stranger has just entered the ring!"
"Who is this? WHO IS THIS?!"
...The ominous change in the commentary sent an unsettling chill into the bathroom. Their faces both changed from light to concerned.
"Hey, something's going on out there Mary. Gimme a towel." Terry climbed out of the tub with haste. Mary threw him a towel, which he quickly wrapped around himself and darted into the other room.
Anton started barking furiously.
"OH MY GOD! OH MY GOD! THIS IS HORRIBLE! THIS IS ABSOLUTELY HORRIBLE! THE CONTESTANTS ARE DOWN!"
"Mary, GET IN HERE! FAST!" Terry screamed.
He heard the sloshing of water, followed by the impact of wetness on the floor. Seconds later, Mary was out of the bathroom, donning a towel, and her eyes widened when she saw the sight beheld on the tv.
"Oh my..." she gasped.
"THERE'S BLOOD EVERYWHERE! OH JESUS SOMEBODY STOP THIS BROADCAST! STOP THE BROADCAST! CUT AWAY FROM IT! OH GOD HE'S COMING TOWARDS US-"
"THIS HAS BEEN A SPECIAL PRESENTATION OF... KING OF FIGHTERS!"
Terry and Mary's mouths hung agape, in perfect unison. Anton was right there next to them, his traumatized eyes still glued to the screen as well.
Mary was the first to break silence. "That son of a bitch... that was...!"
And that's it for Part 1! Boy, that was a long one. I appreciate you all seeing it through this far :D (if you skipped or skimmed, just keep it to yourself lol. I was proud of this!)
NEXT CHAP: Part 2 of the Post-Round Adventures! More wacky shenanigans to come, but also possibly some serious stuff. Who knows? TUNE IN AND SEE!