Pathetic.

@topkalibur

Living on the streets, there were few things Bunji has come to value more than a second-hand store. With what meager money she was able to come across here and there, they had often become a means of salvation when life got truly hard. Everything from clothing to only-slightly “expired” food were just some of the things you could find if you looked hard enough and didn’t let pride get in the way. A boon worthy of those considered “second-class citizens.”

Truth be told, she didn’t need to go to places like these anymore now that she had a steady income, but she hadn’t let it stop her. There was some good nostalgia that came with shopping in places like these and sometimes the trip came with a few mementos of the good times.

Such was the case when she spotted an old toy sitting on the shelf, still in its original packaging. It was from an old cartoon she remembered from when she was young—a heroine of justice and her friends went around beating up bad guys and saving people’s hearts. The figurine she saw was of one of the less popular characters on the team, but one she’d always liked. Picking it up and looking at it, she couldn’t help but smile—

—until she felt a set of eyes on her. Glancing up, she spotted what appeared to be a young man leering at her intently, his eyes fixated on her hands.

“C-Can I… help you?”

Being who you are, as well as not even being an adult yet, getting your hands on funds is...difficult. But it isn’t impossible. After all, you are nothing if not resourceful. Of course, all your money is earned through legal means; you aren’t some lawbreaking imbecile desperate to get his hands on some cash. Besides, all your time saving up gradually is always worth it in the long run.

Today, you intend to add another to your ever growing glass case of figurines, all carefully dusted and polished with care. You had set aside an empty space at the top for the newest arrival, and all that matters is going out and getting it, now that you’ve finally amassed enough for the price tag attached. Not to say it was a big price tag, but you were no fool...a person does have to eat.

So, here you are. A man on a mission. You reach your destination, hands tense with anticipation. You have waited for this. Nothing is going to get in the way of you and that still-in-it’s-mint-packaging limited edition Lunar Vanguard figure, discovered in the crevices of a second-hand store like a diamond in the rough.

Except for the fact somebody has beaten you to it, her non-human appearance making you pause before you register the fact she is holding your figure. Your Lunar Mirage. Her question is barely acknowledged, glasses glinting in the cheap neon lights.

TEGIRI: Hold it right there!

TEGIRI: Whi/e I can appreciate a fe//ow co//ector, especia//y in these parts, I won’t /et this sort of transgression pass. I have waited months for the funds to pay for that /imited Edition Figure, and I don’t intend to /et it go.

For instance, the different species here. There’s the hornless, white-eyed, non-grey variety of the alien you’re well acquainted with, and then they start to branch off into those who’s teeth are as sharp as a trolls, or those who carry mutantesque appearances even by the ‘human’ standards. Like this one. The one you’re currently eyeing, fingers pressed to the underside of your chin as you squint at the very noticeable back of the boy in front of you.

TEGIRI: Are these wings rea/? I wouldn’t expect a human to have the majestic feathers of a Sp/eenfow/, but I suppose I have no choice but to broaden my horizons. 

You are, of course, thinking about how they resemble the wings that sprout from one of the protagonists of the manga that sit on your shelf ( how dusty is that shelf now, without you to dust it every day? you would rather not think about it ). You adjust your glasses.

TEGIRI: Are you a human? Or are you simply another species of a/ien? You don’t appear to be a cu//-on-sight one, if so...

Aliens and their wriggler equivalents running this way and that, yelling in delight at the numerous attractions that line the boardwalk. You still aren’t accustomed to walking around while the sun is out, and it does always take a while for your eyes to adjust to the brightness. Luckily, it seems to be a bit cooler at this point in the season, and so the sands aren’t quite as noisy during what you dub your daily patrols. After all, simply because you aren’t in your own subgrub doesn’t mean you can’t keep an eye out for rulebreakers.

When you spot the other troll out of the corner of your ganderbulbs, their activity near the water knits your brows as you approach with the intention of questioning them. After all, you haven’t seen many other of your kind here, sans a handful, and there is the off-chance they may know more than the last. However, once you get close enough, your squawk gaper snaps shut and your posture adjusts accordingly. How could you miss those fins from a distance...? Your senses must be waning.

TEGIRI: My apo/ogies, I did not mean to disturb you. I was not aware there was any seadwe//ers here.

You shuffle backwards a bit, sand shifting beneath your sandals as your hands flatten to your sides for a proper apologetic bow.

TEGIRI: It is inappropriate for someone of my b/ood caste to bother one of yours. P/ease forgive me.

Now, if only you had ended up housed here...

Well, no matter. That can be handled another day. Right now, you move about the streets with a purpose, watching with the carefully honed ganderbulbs of an expert as you search for another specialty shop that hopefully holds something more to your tastes. Few things could deter you from this mission, but somebody in your path draws your attention after a second glance. Moreso, what’s placed on their head. It’s one of the many hornless, pale creatures that wander around, but their choice of fashion...

TEGIRI: Hm. Cosp/ay? In pub/ic, no /ess. I admire your dedication.

You adjust your glasses, approaching with nothing less of a scrutinizing gaze. It doesn’t really occur to you, at this moment, that they may not be fake.

TEGIRI: Your barkbeast ears /ook very rea/istic. What did you use to make them? Cloth, or perhaps Vorb/a? It might inspire me for my next costume endeavor....

      you stare upon first contact with a new troll – you figure by this point in time that it’s just another one of the alternian trolls that aren’t your or your friends’ dancestors. you already ran into a few of them and had more or less good results with them so you take a less pushy approach and let this troll continue speaking. while you just keep staring with blank eyes.

DAMARA: はい。人間は汚物が大好きです。

      you exhale a cloud of smoke as you blatantly disregard the no smoking signs. you could always explain it away as this isn’t cigarette smoke but you also don’t care enough. if approached about it you’d just throw the smoke at their faces and flip them off. what a nice troll you are.

DAMARA: YOU. ARE NEW? DAMARA: HUMAN ARE DOMINATE SPECIES. BUT. THERE ARE MANY TROLL. DAMARA: YOU WILL GETTING USED TO THE HUMAN SOCIETY. PERHAPS. DAMARA: THEY ARE NOT HAVING MANY TROLL THINGS. BUT. MAYBE. YOU WILL FIND. DAMARA: YOU LIKING TROLL ANIME?

You lift a gloved hand to wave away the aggravating smoke that seems to linger in the small space between you, gaze caught between the sign and the fact she doesn’t seem to give a damn. A shame that one of your first encounters is a hoodlum, but you suppose in this case beggars can’t be choosers. More importantly...

Is that Eastern Alternian? You would recognize that dialect anywhere. No, it might be a bit different....regardless, you are able to catch it due to your INTENSE KNOWLEDGE of everything Eastern Alternian, including the language. Naturally, this peaks your interest.

TEGIRI: I wi// do you a favor and /et your b/atant disregard for store po/icies pass just this once. Your assumption is correct, in any case. 

TEGIRI: However, you make it sound as if I wi// be here for a /ong time-- I do not intend on staying here and accepting the b/atant/y i//ega/ kidnapping of someone of my b/ood caste so readi/y, but unti/ then...

You adjust your glasses with one hand, taking a closer look at the other troll in all her splendor. Her language, and her manner of dress...there’s no mistaking it.

TEGIRI: Yes, you cou/d say I am a connoisseur of the Eastern A/ternian Fine Arts, the Animation most of a//. It is something on/y a true co//ector and appreciator could understand.

Well, you’ve learned someone your age isn’t supposed to be around these areas, but this is irrelevant when one is on the hunt for the ones committing the true offences. While this blade is flimsy and cheap, you’ve seen enough anime with training scenes to know it can still be utilized.

So, here you are. Skulking around the so-called Crimson Lane, eyes peeled under the light of the moon for anybody that might fit your description of evildoer. Sticking to alleys, pressing against the brick walls at your back to peer around the corners just like a shinobi, squinting this way and that with the sharpened ganderbulbs of a professional. Prongs slowly wrapping around the handle of your weapon, your senses tingle as you prepare yourself for an encounter--

Before stepping out in front of the next person to come down this dark, dimly-lit street, glasses glinting in the barely-there light as you adjust them and stare (?) down the...human in question.

TEGIRI: Stop right there, a/ien! State your purpose. This is a den of crime, so I suggest you tread carefu//y. Your next words....may decide your fate.

Someone is here.

She lifts her gaze, staring through matted bangs, as a stranger – someone like herself – offers her a bag full of clothing. Normally she would be anticipating an act of violence, or perhaps for some additional trash to be thrown onto her pile, but it’s rare for other nonhumans to discriminate against their own kind. Her breaths rasp audibly, knees compressing against her ribs as she hugs her legs against her chest.

“… Nnnaaa….haaa.” It seems that he’s offering something to her, but she’s too afraid to accept it. What if it’s a trick?

TEGIRI: I see you are apprehensive. It’s understandab/e to be wary of others in these dire times, but I have no intention of harming anyone that has not vio/ated any /aws. 

Yes...were it not for these demoralizing and non-law-abiding scum, your kind would have nothing to fear. Your face scrunching for a split second, you then reach into the bag at your side and pull out...

A yellow dress. Simple, but it was the closest thing you could find, a similar one worn by one of the many characters on the posters decorating your home. You would have picked something better in your opinion ( not that you have much experience shopping for women ), but the clerk behind the counter was having none of it. There is no need to admit the fact it made you nervous. Not at all.

Then again, it’s not hard for you to find her. She doesn’t often leave this place, and frankly it’s only due to hearsay that you found her in the first place that while ago. Getting down here is a chore, but should anyone make your presence their business, you weren’t afraid to show them the cold bite a (fake) blade could provide.

You clutch a plastic monogrammed bag in your hands, taking a moment to eye a couple glaring passerby before adjusting your glasses and peering at her once again.

TEGIRI: I noticed your usua/ wear is in tatters, so I took the /iberty of finding you some more appropriate c/othing. We of a simi/ar background are Nakama, after a//. It is on/y appropriate that I assist you.

Oh.  Can I hold it then?  Maybe if I wield it, I’ll unlock the secrets of the universe and understand the raw emotion you’re clearly experiencing at the moment.

[ The tealblood held his hand out expectantly for a moment before changing his mind and taking it back, opting to cross his arms.  Sike! ]

Your wording led me astray.  Oops.  Either way, I don’t think threatening people with a tacky blade is the brightest thing you could do.

Also, are you trying to monologue me?  Because stop.

*_________

It’s a good thing that the other changes his mind, because you find yourself offended by his flagrant display of disrespect. Admittedly, the psyche-out does only make it worse.

TEGIRI: Bo/d of you to assume you’re worthy to /ay a hand on, neverthe/ess wie/d, such fine craftsmanship after showing that you have no eye for the Eastern Arts. You insu/t me, as we// as the dedicated art of Bushido.

[ He didn’t say anything, but the expression of pure disgust was worth a thousand words.  What trivial things to say… ]

Oh my.  You defended it.  That’s sad.  Swords don’t have feelings, it’s okay.

I’m no legal expert but that myriad of lawsuits would embrace you.  Harshly.  Because you sliced some poor sap of a human.

You’re not supposed to kill people.

*_________

Oh, no. He didn’t. Not after you spent an unsurpassed amount of money to even acquire this in the first place, being who you are.

TEGIRI: C/ear/y you are comp/ete/y uncu/tured. This is not simp/y a sword, it is a masterpiece of Eastern weaponry! Something only a true expert, practiced and discip/ined in the art, can wie/d and master. You would know this, were you we// versed in using your inte//ect.

@topkalibur

Do you honestly think that blade is going to do you any favors?  That’s just fuel to this proverbial fire.

[ He’d tend to have qualms about approaching and interacting with someone he didn’t know.  But when it came to the city’s social structure and reputation of non-humans, he felt the need to speak up. ]

Or is it just decoration?

*_________

TEGIRI: Hmph. On/y a b/ind foo/ would think this is a mere decoration. This is fine/y crafted fo/ded stee/, the razor-sharp edge on/y to be wie/ded against those who would dare raise a finger to the /aw.

You figure you should not be surprised at the other’s ignorance, but you would have hoped a fellow non-human like yourself would understand what needs to be done. After all, who else will chase off those defacing their neighborhoods? Clearly, you are a one-man army.

TEGIRI: The only thing that wi// bring some of these /aw/ess scum to justice is the threat of the co/d embrace of the b/ade....

Tegiri likely won’t be changing too drastically for this event, but I’ll make a few key notes!

Still non-human, still very much a weeb. That’s ingrained right into his core.

Doesn’t tend to go many places besides hobby shops (the ones that’ll sell to him, anyway) and chasing evildoers with sharp objects around the entire island.

Discrimination is illegal and he WILL find you and put you to justice.

Has a dog. He found it and now it’s his.

Aspiring Lawyer. You won’t be laughing when he sues you, buddy.

Naturally, your replacement hive is unacceptable, but there is little you can do at the moment. At the very least, you can use the meagre money they’ve left you with to at least make it a bit more...to your standards.

The first shop you walk into, however, lets you down. Most of these selections feature the odd, horn-less aliens that seem to greatly outnumber you, and some of it seems to be outright ripoffs of series you know and cherish.

TEGIRI: Tsk. This is a disgrace to the consumer. To think a/iens would so grace/ess/y copy some of A/ternia’s fine Eastern Arts...sickening.

Luckily, it seems you’re not the only troll to be dumped here. There’s a burgundyblood dressed in a classically tasteful uniform, and thus you take the opportunity presented to you.

TEGIRI: You, there! You seem to have been stuck here for /onger than myse/f. Are a// the hobby shops se//ing this cheap knockoff fi/th?