It's better this way

AU rp blog for The Batter Affiliated with The God's Playground

[okarutou]

Hands clasped behind her back and her dark eyes curious, the young lady stood on her tiptoes to look over the man’s shoulder before leaning to side because that was a bit easier— a light smile on her face all the while.

“S’a ‘computer,’ sir," She replied helpfully, "Y’can find all kinds a’ scary stories an’ rituals on it, uh huh.!" Okay… maybe not as helpful. That’s all she had searched on the thing, so— “It even goes step by step how ta do ‘em. Like it’s showin’ ya how!" —maybe she thought that was all it was for? Huh… 

[purepuppet]

The Batter didn't have any particular interest in scary stories, but rituals - that was entirely different. 

"What kind of rituals?"

He assumed the girl was talking about sorcery of some sort, and while the Batter generally preferred a more direct methodology in this work, it never hurt to be too prepared. Even simply knowing what kind of "rituals" were possible might be useful in the future. 

[fulmine-re]

Hermes’s deliveries were a thing to be expected, albeit sporadic. So when Katsu found himself with a tiny brick, a bigger brick, and souls trapped in a musical brick, he wasn’t all that surprised. He figured out that the tiny brick was a device used to communicate—after he threw it at several people’s heads—and that the bigger brick was like the smaller brick only you could do more stuff with it.

Like watch felines do stupid stuff on this thing called ‘Youtube’.

So, feeling superior to everything, Katsu was happy to help people feel even more dumb than before. 

"It’s a device used to watch cats. I call it the Cat Box." No Katsu you’re wrong. 

[purepuppet]

"Cat Box?"

In all his time exploring, the Batter hadn't seen anything even remotely feline about the the strange brick. What's more, he had a hard time believing that Hermes would bring them something so trivial, or that a stupid cat brick would have him so confounded. Still, there was obviously something he was missing. 

He flipped the screen towards Katsu. "How does it work?"

[purepuppet]

The Batter stared down at the strange glowing brick that had suddenly arrived this morning. He knew that Hermes often brought strange knick-knacks into the city - he'd already discovered that one of the smaller bricks was some kind of annoying music box - but this...he had no idea what to do with this. 

After some extensive poking and prodding he'd managed to (accidentally) summon something called "Internet Explorer" but that just opened up whole new Pandora's box. 

"What is this damned thing?"

[laughing-cloud-blog]

Midnight Stroll || Batter & Tenka

[laughing-cloud-blog]

Okay so people didn’t greet strangers with warm smiles and friendly hugs, but wow what a brush off. Tenka pouted like at ten year old as he continued to look at the other, wondering how he could get the guy to be more open. A simple “fine” just would not do for someone as bored as Tenka Kumou. 

As the other lit up a cigarette, Tenka reached over with nimble fingers and snatched the cigarette away. He took a long drag of it, despite the protest of his lungs. He’s not a smoker in any way shape or form, in fact he hates it. However, one time can’t hurt him that much. That was his last thought before his lungs revolted and Tenka started coughing violently to get the poisonous smoke out of his system. Good Lord, he’ll never try that again. 

"ACK! How do you smoke this stuff!?" Tenka wheezed out as he handed the cigarette back. He didn’t even want to look at the offensive thing. He took a couple minutes more to clear out his lungs, before finally settling back against the wall with a weary sigh. That took more energy than he had been prepared to spend. "You know you’re going to get crows feet and ugly wrinkles because of those-OH MY GOD MY FACE!"

Frantically he started feeling up his face, then crowed over to the stranger. “Is my face okay? Tell me I’m still pretty!”  

[purepuppet]

As a native New Yorker, the Batter had dealt with his fair share of stupid drunks and panhandlers with no concept of personal space, but so far none of them had the audacity to take something right from his hands; apparently this young man didn't have the same sense of self preservation that came naturally to most people. 

He immediately dropped the cigarette in disgust when it was handed back to him, crushing it under his heel while the young man hacked in his periphery. Maybe if he was lucky the boy would cough up a lung and let the Batter be, but it didn't seem like fortune had his best interests in mind tonight.

No, instead he suddenly found the boy standing far too close, pawing at his face and yelling about - skincare? Whatever it was, the Batter was just about done listening. He leaned away and reached for his bat, sliding it easily from its sheath in one smooth motion, then pressed the end against the young man's chest to push him back. By the Batter's standards it was practically a gentle nudge, but the message was clear all the same. 

[laughing-cloud-blog]

Midnight Stroll || Open

It’s just one of those nights. 

One of those nights where his body has pent up energy and his mind is a constant whir, both of which combine in order to prevent sleep. So here Tenka is, wandering the streets of New York, trying to clear his head under the midnight moon. 

Of course being Tenka, he got bored of just walking around. He didn’t want to dwell in his own mind, but wanted to get away from the thoughts that were keeping him awake at night. So Tenka scoped for something to entertain him. Gambling…no. Drinking…that will make it worse. Hostclub…maybe another night. 

And that’s when he spot the sole person up ahead, leaning against the side of a building. Of course there is that thing called stranger danger, something that gets multiplied when you are the boss of one of the main three families, but this is Tenka. Tenka does what he wants and worries about the consequences later. 

"Hey there!" The boss greeted as he slide up to the person. "How is your night?"

[purepuppet]

They said that New York was the city that never sleeps but if it did, it was undoubtedly nocturnal. The roar of jazz music could be heard throughout most of the city, pouring down from high apartment windows and blasting out from backroom speakeasies, while men and women shrieked and laughed over the din. Every block offered new excitements and temptations, and the party didn’t stop until well past dawn.

It was awful, as far as the Batter was concerned.

Admittedly, there were times when he found himself looking on with morbid fascination but tonight he wanted no part in the revelry. Unfortunately, it had quickly become clear that the he would find no peace in his apartment thanks to the festivities outside, so instead he’d navigated side streets and back alleys to simply find somewhere quiet. Dressed in his usual uniform and a baseball jacket, with his bat strapped across his back, he’d attracted some strange looks and stranger catcalls but as he trekked further from the clubs and bars the noise died down.

Finally happy with the atmosphere, the Batter paused against the side of a building to rest. He’d only just begun to pull a pack of cigarettes from his jacket pocket when he was once again interrupted. A young man – who was likely heavily intoxicated – was calling him, which could have been ignored had he not then approached the Batter and started questioning him about his night.

“Fine,” he replied curtly, then shifted away to light his cigarette. Hopefully the boy would get the message. 

[purepuppet]

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE INANIMATE OBJECT?

My bat. 

[rumbleshinystar-deactivated2015]

Ya, I finish Batter!!! going to sleep now, Night!