✖ ┆ PUPPETRY

@fukasing

“Wooooooow.” The word is long drawn out in a high pitched tone, the girl’s head tilting to the side from her position leaned forward on her toes. The actions were that of a child though she looked nearly the part of an adult ( aside for her puffed sleeves and ruffled skirt ). “You’re covered in red, almost like someone took a hammer and went SMASH SMASH to your head.” Light, joyful laughter fluttered out at her own joke. Her chest rose and fell a bit faster for a few moments as she caught her breath. 

“Hey hey,” she pushed against her heels and bounced up, focusing her eerie wide eyes on the other. “I wonder what you’d look like with blood gushing out, would it blend in with your hair?” A placed to her lips she bopped her head side to side a few times in thought. “If I smashed you open like a pinata would candy come out?” Laughter bubbled once more, even a small snort at the ridiculous thought. 

“If I tried to smash you would you fight back much?” Her tone settled again as she stared into his eye. An overwhelming desire, urge, to destroy something sat deep within her and stretched to his fingertips, ready to pull at her hammer with a moments notice. Despite this she wasn’t much in the mood for a true fight, she’d been chasing and trying to hit Scourge all day and she was a bit tuckered out. But no way would she take a nap, she’s not some little baby.

He’s had more than enough before she’s barely begun, the mere tone of her voice — that disgusting, awful sound— flipping some kind of switch as it grates mercilessly on his ears. Annoying is the assumption he would make first, before he bothers to listen to words that come tumbling out in a gory mess of morbid curiosities. And as much as he hates to admit it, he hadn’t quite expected that. Just what had he done to evoke whatever kind of wrath THIS was supposed to be from her? He finds it amusing, almost — that someone he’s never laid eye on in his life seems to have it out for him like this. Maybe they were some cutesy mugger, maybe they’d planned this out from the start; He doesn’t know. He doesn’t CARE. That’s really all there is to it. 

Despite her subtle threat, and practically everything that’d been uttered prior, he seems oddly at ease with the situation as it was. If someone was going to attack him, they wouldn’t be stupid enough to warn him first. And if they WERE, then he was practically guaranteed his triumph. He hadn’t been in much of a mood for a fight, either, but it was a very different story when it came to putting someone in their place. This chick had crossed far too many lines to be let off with a mere warning, but he’s a kind soul; he’ll give her a chance to redeem herself before she’s COWERING at his feet. 

                   ❝  Not quite a hammer, you brainless worm.❞ 

❝  What do I want? My sincerest apologies, but what I want is unobtainable.

❝  This isn’t a dating sim, honey. 

“The world is not fair like your pathetic little ideals. Of all my sins, anything involving you is the least important awful thing I’ve done.” 

Surely all that murder porn is worth more karma than spilling coffee. 

“You talked FIRST, you utter moron.”

❝  REALLY? Well, so be it; It isn’t like it matters. You don’t get to choose which mistake was your greatest. All will be revealed in time ... But your ignorance is just one more on the pile. ❞

...Nah it’s definitely the coffee. 

“Ironic, you’re so damn vain you think you could tell that for once, something was about you. And I’m not the one who started this.” 

❝  OH, but you DID. Don’t you know that no sin goes unpunished? This is just the karma you summoned of your own free will. A mere fraction of it, I’m sure. ❞ 

      SHUT UP YOU SENTIENT CANDY CANE.

        ❝  Aw. How sickeningly SWEET. ❞

Rude. 

“Some ANNOYING arrogant pricks need to mind their own business.”

 ❝  I didn’t know call-out posts could be directed at their AUTHORS.

“I think it’d be insulting if someone needed you to introduce yourself really.” When even he knew his name, someone who’d listened to maybe two songs he’d done ( the day the collaboration was announced ), he felt that just about anyone who knows anything in this business would know his name and face. Speaking of his face, it was quite odd, as he knew but seeing up close was a new experience. Yet, he was still kind of cute. Or maybe he leaned towards pretty, Ian himself fitting cute better usually ( his height and the colors ). And he’d be a hypocrite if he didn’t think his hair was amazing. 

A small laugh fell from his lips, more amused than anything at the statement. Of course he wasn’t as well known, but he wouldn’t be offended the other didn’t know or remember his name. No he was more focused on his attitude. Of course to be expected he had confidence, perhaps even borderline arrogance who knows, but he admired that. Most importantly, while he likely acknowledged Ian was below him, he didn’t seem to immediately treat him horribly or any worse than his lower position deserves. It made him happy. But such happiness can be dangerous, his career has not changed what really lies under his colorful smile. 

“No need for that, it’s Ian Fox. Just Ian is fine, I’m from America so hearing anything else is… odd.” His smile grows ever so slightly as he speaks. He doesn’t talk about himself too long, getting to the point of his rather informal request to use his first name quickly. Most who worked with him, especially his manager, didn’t like listening to that request. He could only hope Fukase could. He didn’t really feel a desire to impress him, with all the self confidence in the world he couldn’t care less if some people decided to hate him. Rather he just hoped for a friendly relationship starting on friendly polite terms.

— { ✖ } Ah, now that was more like it. He’s run into quite a few people who hadn’t recognized him in the past, and while he hadn’t minded much at the time, it’s still nice to know Ian acknowledges it as the crime it is. They not only seem to know their place, but are confident in it, which is a nice change from the norm. How nice of his managers to pair him with someone TOLERABLE for once! That’s not to say he doesn’t consider the possibility of it going downhill, however ———  should things go sour, he won’t be invested enough in all of this to be upset at all. He’s come to expect it nowadays, seemingly ignorant to the fact that he’s usually the ‘sour’ one of a group, but until things went bad, he might as well focus on the positives. If Ian didn’t turn out to be a flop? Well, good for them both. If he did? Oh well. It doesn’t matter.

❝  Just Ian? Hm, that’s a shame ... I would’ve liked to call you Fox-kun. ❞  He taps his cane on the floor below, laughing to himself as he waves the statement off with his good hand. ❝  I kid, I kid. Though that WOULD be pretty cute... Just Ian. Ha! ❞   Another tap of his cane to accompany poorly timed laughter. He cracks himself up sometimes ... Only himself, probably. ❝  Don’t worry your pretty little head over it. If anyone here understands, it’s me. After all, ❞  He clears his throat, a smirk pulling at his lips as he, a bit clumsily, transitions into English. ❝  I speak your language, as well. Your preference isn’t a problem to me; I go by my first name too, as I’m sure you know. We’re much alike, you and I. ❞   

While his situation was a bit different, what with his last name being a mystery to the public, he sees no reason to ignore Ian’s request ——— Especially after they’d been so kind to speak in a language they knew Fukase would understand! His English was very good, so he wouldn’t have had much trouble either way, but there’s no denying that his native language does come easier to him. What luck he has that fans find it cute when he slips up in English...

@fukasing

“Fukase, right?” Not even a second is wasted once the other enters the room, void of all people save for the two red heads. Prior to his arrival Ian had just been warming up, gladly taking up the entire practice room for himself. Though he was still catching his breath a little ( perhaps calling that a warm up was a little loose ), he managed to turn to face his superior with a calm smile. 

The question was only a formality, it’d be odd if he didn’t know his name or face. Fukase was, undoubtedly, much more popular and well received within the community. If their matching hair and similar attitudes weren’t enough to pair them up, giving a newer idol with a few rumors going around about him the attention that came naturally from the senior idol’s fanbase was a pretty good reason.

Standing with a hand on his hip, one sleeve of his baggy rainbow shirt falling to his shoulder, he keeps his teal eyes focused behind red frames. He’s heard a lot about the other, mostly good but it seems he could sometimes be difficult to work with. Though surely it was nothing he couldn’t handle, especially for what was currently planned as only a one time thing. If it went well more collaborations would await them in the future, if not, tough break.

— { ✖ } He’d turned to face the door he knew Ian would enter through long before the other had stepped into the room, allowing himself a good few moments to look them over as they offered him some semblance of a greeting. They look like a walking, talking COLOR WHEEL, clothed in just about every hue Fukase thinks he’s ever seen in his life ——— what an odd looking fellow, they are. He chuckles to himself, a grin pulling at his lips as he moves to cover it with his hand. It’s no secret that he doesn’t look very normal, either; No wonder they’d been paired together! They fit right in, around here. 

❝  That’s the name. Glad I needn’t introduce myself. ❞  He finds himself almost impressed by how they’re going about things, in the mere moments they’d spent in each other’s company. They’re punctual, double-checking their facts, and addressing him casually as if they’d spoken to one another before; He admires their attitude, for sure. That’s not to say he wouldn’t have been happy with being put on the pedestal he’s so used to standing upon, however. No ‘pleasure to meet you? Not even a ‘-san’? GUTSY, this one. He likes that.

                                               && @fukasing

                          “Woah, what the fuck is wrong with your eye?” 

Subtle had never been a good word for the boy. Or more so if he wasn’t trying it was much easier to be blunt. Formalities, kindness, any hint of his usual facades were missing. The exact reason couldn’t be pinpointed down, perhaps he was too surprised or he simply had no reason to care here. 

Hands locked behind his back, rocking on the heels of his black boots, the blood red skirt bounces in unison with his ( only slightly ) messy brown locks. His mouth twisted up into what can only be called a sweet, innocent smile, his wide golden eyes matching this expression. Ah how easy it’d be to fall into these tricks, if not for his blunt crudeness moments ago, as cheery and bubbly as his voice sounded it didn’t mask it. 

Perhaps the question sounded rude, ‘good’ be might think to himself. He wasn’t nice, he didn’t get friendly or close to people without beneficial reasons. Though for once his intentions had not been malicious. He was truly curious about the aforementioned eye, such a bright red he could only wonder if the stranger could see out of it or if it was possible for others to get such complete red eyes or was it even real? ( his sight was fuzzy but he was certain he wasn’t wrong in his observation ). Ah the questions were endless, and much more eloquent in his head than when spoken aloud, brash and hasty due to near innocent curiosity. 

                        Curiosity killed the cat but satisfaction brought it back and he’d                                                                        prefer to not have any dead cats lying around.

— { ✖ } What a QUESTION. Fukase can’t say he hadn’t expected to be asked such a thing at some point, but the fact of it all was that most people were too nice  ——— too cowardly  ——— to shine a light on his disfigurement. Averted eyes, pitying looks behind his back, long stares that screamed the question that their mouths simply could not, he’s seen them all. But he’s never been forced to answer it, until now; It’s never been asked aloud to him, no one dared to say it to his face ... Except this kid. Fukase looks them over in silence, content to take his sweet time forming his opinion on this BRAT. Their tone of voice was annoying at best, and he can’t tell if their question was a slip of a careless tongue or if they were really that tactless. Rude, is what comes to mind, but he can’t deny that they’ve got guts to say such a thing to him. Maybe he’ll humor them a little, just for that. 

❝  What’s wrong with my eye? What’s wrong with YOU, more like! That’s no way to greet someone, half-pint. Especially not me. ❞  He leans in, wide-eyed, wagging a scolding finger like a parent would to a misbehaving child. As far as he was concerned, that was exactly the case  ———  except he’s decided he’d rather DIE than call himself the parent of this thing in the mere moments he’d been in their presence.        ❝  But if you really must know ... it’s BROKEN, imbecile! Busted, completely useless! That’s what’s wrong with it. Could you really not tell? Maybe there’s something wrong with YOUR eyes. ❞  He’s already anticipating the follow-up questions, scripting his answers so he needn’t waste any more time than he must on this thoughtless child. ❝  Was that answer satisfactory? Maybe you could APOLOGIZE for making me look at you as a thank you gift, if you please. ❞