mutually assured destruction. [ heine & eight. ]
From first-hand experience, Eight knows that this won't -- can't -- go on for much longer. He's been in this state before; stuck somewhere between reality and illusion, with colors bluring and rivulets of blood wandering down his jaw, unable to separate phantom pain from the real one. And, oh, his entire body aches; knuckle-shaped bruises covering the expanse of his pale skin, lungs cooperating only every fifth inhale.
How long has it been since this started? Minutes? Hours? Days? He can't properly place this event on the timeline; doesn't even recall how it began, although that much, he can figure out by himself. It's all a part of his usual routine: spend the Saturday here, get some money, go back home. Except now his legs refuse to move, and his body's torn between the flight and the fight, incapable of doing either.
There's no time to think, but he doesn't have to; it's not as if there's a lot of options to pick from. Either he says uncle, loses the money and his winning streak and goes home with nothing, or waits until the other guy does, his state -- as far as Eight can see -- not so good, either. He has no idea who he is; can't be a regular, considering he's positive he'd remember someone with white hair of all things, but he might've seen him out and about at some point in time, streets around here full of weirdos.
Well, they could probably split the reward if this ended in a tie: and in his last act of desperation, with all of his muscles refusing to cooperate, he stumbles forward, tackling the guy to the floor. There's no telling how long he'll be able to keep him there -- hopefully enough for this to be considered the end, and if not, well, he's ready to accept defeat, as sour as it'd taste.
Upon meeting less resistance than expected, he manages to push himself up a little, lips now close to the other's ear. There's always a slight chance of simply convincing the guy to go with it, especially if he's as exhausted as himself.
"You know this is pointless. Just... stay down. You'll still get... something out of this."
