Test Drive Meme: The Overflow

[arielmods]

PLEASE CONTINUE YOUR THREADS OVER AT THE LATEST OVERFLOW POST, THANK YOU.

CITY OF ARIEL: THE TEST DRIVE THE OVERFLOW Since the last post is fast approaching 3k comments and getting laggy for some of our players, we have decided to go ahead and stick up the overflow post. Please continue your threads or start new ones here if you'd like. To make this easier on those continuing threads from the last meme, here's a handy form: <small>(<a href="THREAD URL HERE">Continued from here.</a>) between <user name="CHARACTER 1"> & <user name="CHARACTER 2"></small> Response here! Please remember to let your thread partners know you've bumped your threads over here as well! We started the meme early to give you plenty of room to do just that. ◆◆◆◆ With the City of Ariel grand opening only a month away, we are holding our first ever test drive meme. Tag in and see how your character would settle in the game. You're a fresh face in the city, newly processed, and arriving at a bustling time. The city is expanding and you are greeted first in the re-education center by your helpful counselors and then directed out of the building to a large festival. Be puzzled, make friends, have sex, or whatever you want! There are no restrictions on thread types played out here. Your first awareness that something has gone wrong comes during a groggy moment of semi-lucidity when you look around yourself and find that -- instead of wherever you remember being last -- you're in a chair, in a room with a man you don't recognize. He's sitting behind a desk whistling to himself and sorting paperwork. The whole atmosphere might remind you of a high school guidance counselor's office, only with far more comfortable chairs. When your head clears enough to speak and you ask him where you are, he smiles brightly and says, "Welcome to the City of Ariel." You were brought to Ariel during a very special time! There's a large festival going on celebrating the new expansions to the city and everything is decked out for it. Everything is bustling and vibrant in the city today because of the celebrations. There are decorations up, food vendors set up all along the streets, kissing booths, games, and just about anything else you can imagine an event like this would have! The people of Ariel are out and about as well, some are in vibrant costumes and others are just checking out the sights. Some of the more exhibitionist types are even having a little more fun out in public than you may be used to seeing back home. As soon as the grogginess from your arrival passes, you are allowed to leave the re-education center and see it all for yourself. Upon exiting, you are even handed beads of various colors, several of each so you don't worry about running out. Each color has a special meaning listed below: pink - toys blue - oral yellow - watersports green - age play lavender - crossdressing orange - multiples grey - bondage white - hands (mutual masturbation, fingering, handjob) red - blood black - wildcard These are to aid you in making a connection with others. Show your interest in others and tell them exactly what you would like to do with them by sharing the beads. If you would rather take a different approach, feel free to walk around the festival and see what (or who) catches your eye. The point is to relax and get settled in your new home.
TAG IN - Post your character's name, canon, and preferences. - Set up an opener in your comment or leave it blank. - Tag around and have fun!	USEFUL LINKS: [Premise] [Rules] [F.A.Q.] [Locations] [Local Citizens (NPC)] [Taken] [Wanted] [Reserves] [Application] [Main] [Logs] [OOC]

Please note that all CR in this meme can be carried over when the game starts between characters that are accepted into the game.

Threads can also count towards third and first person samples on the application, just provide links.

Take a look at our OOC Meet and Greet post! Meet. Greet. Make friends. Have fun!

Comments

[bursting]

[ But what if he can eat and focus at the same time? He finished the first pastry, sure, but he wants another. And another. And so implements his genius plan of picking up the plate, getting up, and following Mello with his collection of confections, chew, chew, chewing as he speaks. ]

I wonder how many were taken, and how many were already here. [ Swallows. See, he can be smart and eat at the same time. ] The level of technology present also interests me. It would be best to figure out what sort of network we're dealing with, if any. Maybe a satellite we can hijack for our own use.

[volatility]

[How skillful of you, Setsuna. Unfortunately Mello is still colored unimpressed, but at least they're getting back on track.]

There seem to be a lot of new arrivals. Like there's been a sudden influx.

[At least, judging by a few of his previous encounters, and the way some people look as though certain vendors are crazy for offering certain 'services.' What was with that? Why the sudden need to pull in so many people?]

That's not a bad idea.

[But one that makes him think of Matt. That's his territory. Not that Mello can't hack and hijack at will, he just prefers to make that someone else's responsibility, instead freeing him up to be a little more proactive.]

I wonder if we can find a computer.

[Maybe back at the Reeducation Center?]

[bursting]

[ The plate is set aside—after Setsuna has effortlessly plowed through all twenty or so pastries that were on it in just a few minutes—as he refocuses on the matter at hand, considering Mello's words with care and eventually shaking his head. ]

Not a good idea. The computers are likely monitored, so we won't be able to gain much useful information from them. We also don't know how well-secured they are. Any attempts to hack in could trigger some sort of alarm. We can't afford the possibility of getting caught and detained.

[ He, too, is scanning their surroundings now, possible directions to go, leads to follow, faces that are out of the ordinary. Anything that could be used as an advantage. ]

It's also probably not a good idea to keep traveling together, at least for now. They'll get suspicious if they see us together often.

[ And not, you know, having sex like the rest of the population. Not that he'd necessarily have an objection to it, and he's openly admitting it now to himself, chip's influence or otherwise. Mello is attractive, and Setsuna this time will let a bit more of obvious interest towards that end slip through to communicate he is not opposed to getting to know each other a little better sans clothes. ]

We can split up and cover more ground that way. Or we can head somewhere else, arrange a plan of attack, and then do so. Up to you.

[volatility]

Yeah. It might be possible to bypass something like that, but I'm not sure what kind of technology they have available.

[If they're utilizing brain chips for control, then it's likely that Mello will not be able overcome embedded alarms and firewalls. It's frustrating, considering that he may be out of his league, here. Intelligence can only get you so far with technology if you are accustomed to working in the equivalent of the stone age.]

Maybe. They might think we're involved. Unless they manage to micromanage this place to such a degree that they watch every single interaction. Even with the chip...

[But Mello cuts himself off, once again returning to train of thought of the damn chip. For all he knows, it probably keeps a record of hormone levels — thoughts. The more he thinks about it, the more it feels as though there is no privacy at all here.]

Damn. I need to get this thing out of my head.

[For so many reasons. It's in such an annoying place, to where he can't effectively look in the mirror and cut cleanly. So unless he gets someone to help...

Ah.]

Let's go back to my place for a bit.

[Take that as you will.]

[bursting]

[ Setsuna would prefer to find out as soon as possible what kind of technology is available, but he'd already vocalized his concerns on the matter. There's too many potential eyes watching and ears listening, the authorities are out and about (if not in force, but still to a worrisome degree), and there's no telling what their brand of punishment entailed. He'd heard the term re-education being thrown around, and Setsuna does not wish to be educated about anything he doesn't already know. Not to mention his suspicions, again, regarding just what re-education meant.

It's interesting how Mello emphasizes involved, as if it's a dirty word. He agrees, really, that giving the wrong impression, or at least that kind of wrong impression, is inadvisable, but Mello's hesitation to achieve any kind of close contact with people is once more seeping through. As if he'd rather die than dare to smile, hold hands. God forbid kissing. He wonders if the poor man would spontaneously implode if that happened.

There's an easy way to find out, of course, but not here, not now, and not out of the blue. Because that would be an easy way to a broken jaw. Or a knife in the stomach. Mello doesn't have to admit to shanking or shooting anyone for Setsuna to know that he has.

He catches the message unspoken in that let's go back to my place, though, and just shrugs. No problem. Su casa, me casa. And at least it's good first step to building trust. ]

Lead the way.

[ You know he'll be following right behind. ]

[volatility]

[It's easy, really — at least it is in Mello's mind. Getting involved means being distracted, and letting little matters take precedent over more important ones. He doesn't need emotional or physical ties to anyone, because the only thing that matters is catching Kira and finally becoming number one. And even if certain displays of affection may seem harmless to some, Mello isn't keen on playing into the city's hands if he can help it. If it were between smiling and holding hands or death, Mello would grit his teeth and do what is necessary to keep on living, because his goal will not be fulfilled if he is dead. But it isn't.

Without another word, Mello leads them to where his assigned apartment. When they finally arrive, he enters and starts doing a little exploring — leaving Setsuna free to choose to watch, sit, or explore himself as he sees fit. The personal items he finds aren't really much by way of sentimental value, the exception being his rosary beads, because Mello's lifestyle just doesn't allow for dragging items (other than clothes, which as necessities Mello doesn't count, despite his somewhat lavish tastes) around from place to place. He does, however, find his gun and a small flick blade, both of which will come in handy for what is to follow.

And indeed, he has both in his hands when he decides to focus on Setsuna again and brief him on what he wants him to do.]

I want you to try something.

[bursting]

[ It's a philosophy Setsuna can respect, in theory. Emotional and physical ties did wear a person down, leave them vulnerable to manipulation, and so he tried to avoid them to the best of his ability; there's a good reason only a handful of people in the world outside Celestial Being knew his name. But at the same time, he's not morally opposed to forming connections, bonds with someone, as Mello seems to be. If it happens, fine. If it doesn't, that's also fine. But Setsuna wants to see if he can at least try with Mello, because Mello is someone worthwhile. He's known him for a day, but he knows that much—and stoic Meister he may have been, even he isn't capable of going without a certain degree of companionship.

Setsuna makes no attempt at conversation, as Mello hardly seems the mood for it, immediately shrugging off his jacket once they're inside (making sure the door is locked securely behind them) and gravitating towards the couch, pulling out a handheld gadget, something of an advanced iPhone where he's from. No service. Great. He suspected as much. He doesn't bother Mello as he goes rummaging, lets him do his own thing, but he is surprised when he returns with what are, in his opinion, some very impressive weapons. ]

That gun is beautiful.

[ Setsuna is more versed with knives than firearms, but he can tell just by looking: that wasn't a gun easily acquired, and likely held some special value for him. The flick blade is standard, but it's the gun he's drawn to. His guard is down so he doesn't ordinarily flinch as he might have, having weapons drawn on him like that.

And if absolutely need be, his reaction time is fast. It takes time to load and fire a gun, and Setsuna figures himself the better swordsman of the two. Pulling a knife on him would be stupid.

He's also aware Mello is requesting something of him, and curious as to what that might be, he tilts his head. ]

Sure. What is it?

[volatility]

[Mello is ready to give directions and see what they can do with the tools available to them. He's planned it out on the way here, thinking through possibilities. It is possible that the chip is somehow embedded in his brain, but he's not exactly sold on that idea yet. It is also possible that the chip is small and under the skin — or maybe attached to the skull — and sending signals from the outside. Although...it would be more likely that it would be closer to the brain stem if that were the case, but there's really only one way to find out just how much damage he can do to the stupid thing.

He's about to start handing out the order when Setsuna compliments his gun. It is a nice gun. Mello made sure of that when acquiring it, tailoring to his needs and desires after being inducted into the mafia. As a man with very few possessions, the ones that actually mean something he chooses with care. Nevertheless, he isn't exactly accustomed to having people compliment his gun...but that's likely because most people get to stare down the barrel, rather than admiring it in a relaxed setting.

That earns Setsuna a small smile, but it doesn't linger, because then he's tossing the knife at him.]

I'm assuming you have decently steady hands because of your line of work. Use that.

[Mello makes himself comfortable on the couch, crossing his legs and facing Setsuna, gun in hand. He doesn't think Setsuna will do anything stupid. Clearly, the man has the ability to take him down at will if he so chooses without the aid of a flick blade. And since Mello highly doubts that Matt is going to be showing up any time soon in this dump, it isn't as though he has other options. Setsuna is the best bet he has for what will probably be a futile attempt, but one he wants to try regardless.

But Mello isn't about to willingly allow someone he's known for less than a day wield a blade at him without some incentive to do it right. He tucks his hair back, turns his head, and then drapes his hand over the gun, which rests in his lap.]

Cut and see if you can find anything.

[Or break anything. Mello will settle for damaging the chip.]

[bursting]

[ Setsuna hadn't given the precise location of the chip much thought yet. It's there, he knows it's there, and it's certainly an obstacle, but Setsuna isn't as concerned with it as Mello is. Mainly because removing it would be tricky at best and potentially fatal at worst if an artery or a particularly important piece of his, you know, brain winds up skewered.

Which is exactly why Mello has earned himself some serious side-eyeing once Setsuna tosses the blade his way. ]

Mello?

[ What Mello wants him to do doesn't immediately click, even with the added explanation. Steady hands, yes, and he's earnestly flattered by the compliment; those are the sorts of compliments he understands and likes, simple and to the point that they are.

Still wary, Setsuna watches Mello settle himself on the couch beside him, and boy, he could not look more enticing if he tried. Very, very aware of that chip in his brain now, and just how alluring Mello can be when he makes a conscious effort, slender legs, narrowed eyes, conniving expression he wants to discover all the hidden secrets of, and that hand and gun in his lap is just too much, too much.

But Setsuna is nothing if not self-restrained when it comes to displaying sexual intent. Rape is disgusting, something he'll never, ever do, and even in consensual matters, he remains conservative, a calculating predator rather than one who immediately jumps his prey. Yet despite that, his own eyes darken with a hint of suggestiveness. Mello is close. He did it on purpose, and even if his position isn't inviting, it's showing he's comfortable with being close and leaving himself vulnerable.

Cut and see if you can find anything. Oh, he'd love to. Cut away the clothes, that is, see what he can find underneath, but he's pretty sure that's not what he meant. ]

That's not a good idea, Mello.

[ Neither is this, whatever this is, for so many, many reasons, but hell if he cares. Hi, Mello. You're handsome. We should get together and make handsome happen, just a thought. ]

[volatility]

[And Mello can see it in Setsuna — can feel feel it himself, even. That subtle, fleeting attraction he felt on the roof, now exasperated by close proximity. The chip — it's the chip and that is exactly what this situation is about — and yet it still presents a challenge, watching Setsuna look at him. And even that hint of jealousy — possessiveness — suddenly seems fresh, rekindled by mere close vicinity. No, Mello is going to resist this, because Setsuna has already tossed around the word like with little care, and because this is exactly why they are sitting here, alone, with a knife and a gun.]

I'm not asking for your opinion.

[It's a little more biting than he intends for it to be, because if Setsuna isn't going to cut into him, Mello is going to have to do it himself and that is far more dangerous. Not to mention, sitting so closely without a real purpose may lead to temptation, and with a chip in his head already, Mello does not want to put up with that.]

I'm not asking you to stab me or slit my throat. Just cut carefully.

[Mello moves in closer, to where any more movement will result in touch. Maybe if he manipulates this situation...]

Come on. I need help.

[bursting]

[ Setsuna, to his credit, does not take the bait. He does not surrender to instinct, much as he'd like to be done with any remaining semblance of civilities already, close the gap, and kiss him hard, deep, fast, like he knows they both want and prefer. He just stares back at the approaching Mello as evenly as he can, though it's somewhat muddled by the proximity, the purposeful drop in Mello's tone (or at least he perceives as much, it sounds lower), and the fact that the attraction between them has now been made abundantly clear.

No, Mello doesn't ask for opinions, he demands things and expects them to be done, but Setsuna is stubborn. Setsuna is also probably the better thinker between the two of them, amazingly enough, as he's about to demonstrate.

Setting the flick blade down, he instead traces the tip of his finger delicately over where Mello's scar is, right above the ear. Delicately, so as not to startle him. Mello's movements now are of one who is no longer masking sexual intent, but he's still not taking his chances in getting shoved off or told off due to crossing a potential line. ]

The point of incision is here, yes. But...

[ The finger trails up, to the side of his head, taps against it. ]

The chip is obviously embedded in the brain, to be affecting us so directly.

[ And Setsuna is sure he need not explain that cutting his skull open and trying to perform brain surgery with a flick blade is serious no bueno. He'll let the logic sink in for a moment, hide the fact that his breath is quickening and dammit, Mello, you're seriously ruining his stoic reputation here, and just waits to see what he'll do, more than a little anxious. ]

[volatility]

[Mello would be utterly loath to admit it, but he isn't the smartest of them all. True, he is intellectually gifted — very much so, when compared to the average person — but his intelligence scores had always been a little lower than Near's, something he had been forced to face over and over again growing up. It was always his initiative — the drive to make things happen, the determination to claw his way to the top — that made up for that small gap between himself and Near. Or, rather, almost made up for it — Mello had not quite made it to the top.

The touch makes him consider pulling back. It's so gentle, and it is a far cry from the slicing of skin for which Mello is pushing. He doesn't, though. He lets Setsuna run his fingers along his head, sitting perfectly still.]

You don't know that.

[And yes, his voice is low, even a little dark.]

A chip doesn't have to be in the brain to send impulses or measure hormone levels.

[He reaches up and takes Setsuna's hand, pulling it downward. His other hand leaves the gun in his lap to pick up the knife, putting it into Setsuna's hand, but allowing his own hand to linger over it.]

Try.

[bursting]

[ There are different kinds of intelligence, to be sure. Mello's is the grittier sort, the intelligence that pushes him to get shit done, with a willingness to employ whatever means to get there. Setsuna is the same way, for the most part.

That does not mean he's willing to slice into someone to satisfy a morbid curiosity. Setsuna makes no claims that he can veer into unstable territory at times, and maybe has enjoyed slicing up certain opponents more than he should, but it's a side of himself he keeps carefully under wraps, stowed away under lock and key. Mello might wear it as a badge of honor, but Setsuna is more than a little ashamed that sometimes, he's taken just a hint of pleasure at tearing into someone.

It reminds him that he lost most of his sanity a long time ago.

Setsuna's fingers close around the knife immediately, around Mello's, but he won't budge another inch, or even do anything else, besides thin his eyes. ]

I don't want to hurt you, Mello.

[ He'll drop his tone too, then. That, combined with his half-lidded expression, should hopefully convey that this is Mello's last chance to cut the overtly sexual advances. Setsuna is controlled, but he is not quite controlled enough to stop himself if he is interested and if said interest is reciprocated and blatantly provoked. ]

[volatility]

[It's infuriating — Mello wants to manipulate the situation, to get Setsuna to give in, but he's being so stubborn. It's arousing too, and that only serves to frustrate Mello further, because that is exactly the problem. His eyes narrow, but he's careful not to display any additional irritation. He does, however, pull his hand free, bringing the knife with it, setting it aside.]

Setsuna.

[His tone is still low and suggestive, but there is a commanding quality to it, a pressure. He once again takes Setsuna's hand, this time bringing it to his face, pressing it to the burn scar, making a point in the gesture — look what I have been through, do you honestly think that a little cut means anything to me?]

I want you to hurt me.

[Cut it out, yes, find that chip and destroy it, even it takes blood and pain and unwillingness, but make this stop — it's more lewd than it should be, the statement suggesting more than just the cut for which Mello is waiting. It's desire that goes beyond that, a pull to get Setsuna to listen, and yes, to touch.]

[bursting]

[ Oh, god. That sent an unmistakable twitch of arousal straight to his groin and there's no hiding it now, he wants it like yesterday, yes please, why aren't we rolling all over this couch and fucking each other furiously like (dangerously volatile, dangerously armed) rabbits yet?

He's not even sure what gets him the most, the use of his name which Mello seemed so reluctant to do (too personal for him), the aggressiveness, the guidance of his hand to that scar and he can hardly believe Mello even let him touch it, and the unmistakable appeal of

I want you to hurt me

that he's having supreme difficulties suppressing, because he lied. ]

I'll hurt you.

[ Setsuna will lean closer, allow a familiar fleck of gold to circle his eyes, so close now that his breath, hot and heavy, dances along the younger man's cheeks and entices him. Setsuna is not a sexual creature, but he knows how to play the game, knows how to catch a target this way. And he's turning the volume up to about eleven here, because when he is sexual, he's infuriatingly so, teasing and denying his partner exactly what they want to entrap them. ]

But not like that.

[ So in summary, that's a yes to furious(ly awesome) sex, but a no to aforementioned brain surgery. You'll have to accept the compromise for what it is, because it's as good as you're going to get from him. No more negotiating, he's done with that and would like to get started on your mouth and everything else now. ]

[volatility]

[And just like that, a line has been crossed and there is no going back. But does Mello want to go back? Logically, yes, this has been pushed too far, this is the enemy, any illusions of intimacy are false, don't be fooled by the fact that he said your name, you're nothing, this is nothing. This isn't the plan and has never been the plan — except for the fact that Mello can't deny that he himself has guided them this way, that he is aroused by the way Setsuna leans in, by that touch, the promise to hurt.

But no — no, he doesn't want to go back, because there's a chip that Setsuna will not cut out and there's breathing and hyper-awareness and Mello is hungry — hungry to take this further, to push some more, to close gaps and claim territory and mark.

There's anger too — a lot of it, but then again, could Mello enter into something like this without a healthy dose of rage? The how dare you deny me response to having his wish rejected only serves as further fuel for his arousal. His expression reflects this — some mixture of irritation and desire.]

If you're not going to do it my way

[And now the gun — Mello lets go of Setsuna's hand to pick it up, to press the barrel against Setsuna's chest, right above the left breastbone — the heart — and press, hard, leaning in so that they are almost lip-against-lip as he finishes his sentence.]

I'm going to fight back.

[bursting]

[ Setsuna has no idea, the moral dilemma circling around in Mello's head, but he can guess. He's justifying it to himself, doing it or not doing it, and at the moment, doing it seems to be the prevailing argument. It's certainly the argument he would prefer to prevail, at least, nearly nose-to-nose as they are now, leering at each other like slabs of meat.

The hunger is also present in Setsuna's features, a leanness and meanness shining in his unnatural eyes, boring into Mello's intently. Yes, push, close, claim, mark, stop thinking about this and just do it—

...oh.

Well, there we go.

The bottom of his mouth drops slightly, flashing a pointed grin, teeth clicking together, loud, snapsnap. ]

I'd welcome it.

[ And he really does, pressing himself into that barrel, his own knife slipping from its hiding place in its sleeve, into his palm and hand, which goes to Mello's throat. His control of the blade is so fine, so absolute, that Mello is in zero danger of a fatal slice, even if he lunges. The blade is finer than Mello's, sharper, more familiar, and therefore all the more fun. His other hand drifts to Mello's leather-clad thigh, massages ever so slightly, but goes no further. Take what you want, Mello. Fight for it. ]

And that's not going to kill me, for the record.

[ So do your worst, tiger. ]

[volatility]

And I thought you weren't go to take a knife to my skin.

[Mello grins as he says it, as he feels the blade against his throat. His eyes meet Setsuna's as he pushes himself slowly into it, letting it pierce skin and draw a thin line of blood. This effectively closes the gap between his lips and Setsuna's — a fleeting kiss that is less about the meeting of their lips and more about the interaction between blade and throat. Mello wouldn't allow himself to be so tender without an ulterior motive. It's only a tease, a way to draw blood, before he pulls back just a little. He arches his neck so Setsuna can see.]

You've cut me after all.

[As for the gun...

Mello starts sliding it down Setsuna's body, from chest to stomach to groin. He cocks it.]

I bet it'd still hurt.

[bursting]

Depends on where the knife's going.

[ Setsuna watches with a mildly sick (not morbid, there's a difference, it's not as bad, that's what he's telling himself) fascination as the blade finally cuts him and red drip, drip, drips down his neck. The tip of his tongue slips out to catch it and drag along the blood trail, up Mello's throat, before he can even stop himself, because he's high off the adrenaline here, the danger, the challenge, and there's no turning back now, Mello is right, haaa, that's good, and a not quite kiss is fine, too, he'll take what he can get.

Setsuna bucks his crotch up into the barrel daringly, and hello, he is definitely happy to see you now because even if he had a gun on him that's definitely not where he usually keeps it. ]

There, probably, but it'd be a mistake.

[ Can't please him nearly as well without it, after all, which is what he wants so badly to do. Just lose the attitude and the pride already and the clothes along with them, Mello, this is getting ridiculous. ]

[volatility]

[Oh, that makes it difficult to focus, to keep his mind on the game. This is a game, nothing more, and yet as that tongue moves up his throat Mello has to keep himself from making a sound. It would be so easy to just give in and moan, but no, Mello cannot lose the pride. Ridiculous or not, he will hang on to it until he has no choice but to give it up. His eyes do, however, become heavily lidded as Setsuna finishes trailing the blood with his tongue, and his grip on the gun loosens just a little.]

You'll have to do better than that.

[But his words betray him in that they are breathy and lighter than he wants them to be. There is a part of him that is already so far gone, and really, despite what he wants to believe, Mello is only holding threads.

He runs the barrel of the gun up and down along Setsuna's length.]

It doesn't feel like you really think it would be a mistake...

[Eyes down, collecting his breath, reassessing...]

[bursting]

[ Forget focusing, his vision's practically blurring when all he can see in front of him is Mello, Mello, Mello and that's all he wants to see. Games he doesn't usually play, but this sort of game is right up his alley, and when Setsuna does play, he plays to win, absolutely, positively. The world existed not in black and white, in shades of gray, but in games, in battle, you either won or you lost. There's no such thing as a tie. Dead or alive. Kill or be killed.

Setsuna exhales when he feels the gun and gaze upon him, curls his fingers into Mello's leg where they linger, and answers in dark tones that have no business coming out his mouth like this, but do anyway. Knife dancing around his nape, tracing a vital artery. One single, precise cut, and it's all over for him. ]

Then uncover the truth. You're good at it, aren't you?

[ Tilting his chin upward with the end of his blade, visible venom flitting through the circuitry surrounding his irises. ]

Because you'll have to do better than this.

[volatility]

[For one fleeting moment, Mello looks surprised, caught slightly off guard. He had been formulating his next move and hadn't expected...this. Maybe a little more banter, a little more shoving, blades dancing around skin...but Setsuna is showing a side of himself that Mello hadn't been sure he had. From liking to a jugular tease.

And then that statement — good at uncovering the truth? The surprise is easily and quickly replaced with an icy glare. Setsuna doesn't know the buttons he is pushing, how dangerously close he is to winding up on the wrong side of this situation.

Because like Setsuna, Mello doesn't lose. Being second-place is not enough, and has never been enough. He risks everything in the name of coming up on top and winning — and this will be no different. It will take more than a mere knife to make him submit, to get him to kowtow to Setsuna's whims. Mello is all-in, now. Say goodbye to any limits or holding back.

Stuck for the moment and staring at Setsuna with narrowed eyes, Mello just continues to ease the gun against him, calmly, down and then a nudge, and then up — and just when it seems like he's getting a rhythm, he jerks the gun up with the goal of hitting Setsuna in the head. And, whether or not it meets its target, Mello lunges with the intention of straddling and shoving Setsuna down, sword be damned. He has risked much, much worse before, a wayward blade is trivial, however deadly the hands holding it may be. He knows, too, that Setsuna is capable of overpowering him, which is why, if this is successful, he'll have to segue into his next move quickly.]

[bursting]

[ There'll be plenty of time for banter and brusqueness and blades; right now, Setsuna is just testing Mello's limits, indeed, pushing his buttons, but he's doing it purposely this time. He knows what he's doing, or at least he'd like to think so. Mello is a loose cannon at best and a potential murderer at worst, but as he told him before, he'll take his chances. You only live once, right?

Setsuna is glad being second place isn't enough. It's not enough for him, either, not in situations like this. He should realize that just because Setsuna may seem calm, reserved, and impossible to ruffle doesn't mean he actually is. He's simply accustomed to tailoring the nastier sides of his personality down. Mello lets it all hang out, so to speak. It's his style, and he won't judge him for it, but they differ in that sense.

Setsuna moves in time with the gun, up, down, up, down, a low purr slipping free, and then there's a jerk, a trigger, not in Mello's gun but in Setsuna's muscles. Mello's arm goes up along with him, an attempt at a strike that Setsuna catches with the hand not clutching his blade, a wrist seized firm in his grip, but Mello does successfully manage to force his way to the top, settle himself firmly on his hips. Setsuna grunts, pinned beneath Mello's weight, but they're evenly matched—he could break his arm if he so pleased in this position. Mello has escaped the knife, which now rests at Setsuna's side, but it could easily be retrieved at a moment's notice. Assuming Mello doesn't make a foolish attempt at swiping it. His blade, his hands, no one else's. Those are the rules. ]

Got you.

[ Straddling him might not have been the best of plans, as Setsuna proceeds to rub their crotches together, what's an obvious erection on his end against Mello's jeans. He's guessing he'll get smacked for that, too, but it'll be worth it. And he can take a beating, as Mello may have deduced already. ]

[volatility]

[And indeed, Mello is seeing that in Setsuna. Likes it, even, if we were inclined to use that word. There's something about seeing the darkness in others that appeals to Mello — perhaps because so few people are willing to let that show through, to own their darkness as he does. Mello isn't necessarily proud of all he has done, but he has done it, and that's just part of him. It's a tool, a method used to get what he wants, a persona, even. But it is also a very real part of him.

Knowing that there's more to this Setsuna F. Seiei beneath what seems to be so calm a demeanor — so patient, talking about flowers and having faith in humanity — makes Mello want more.

He does not like being caught, though, and that much is apparent in his features. He still has the gun, but it is now effectively useless. Of course, Setsuna is strong — he knew that already — but jerks his arm anyway, tries to twist it free as much as is feasible.]

Not completely.

[It's hard to think with the way Setsuna is moving against him, and for a pause, Mello quells his struggling in favor of moving his own hips, arching himself a little, enjoying, and he himself is getting hard, any attempts at distracting rendered frivolous by this interaction. It's so rare that he gets to just feel, and so he lets it happen, taking a sharp breath —

and his free hand goes to Setsuna's throat, doesn't choke, but grips enough to be a threat.]

Let go.

[bursting]

[ Darkness is a natural part of existence. Shadows follow light wherever it goes; it is an absolute, undeniable fact of life that all people contain shreds of evil within themselves. Setsuna isn't proud of his darkness, but he's also resigned himself to how it's warped and consumed him. He can use it to its fullest to disable an opponent, to infiltrate an enemy base, and, if necessary, kill mercilessly. Darkness unrestrained, as it rages within Mello, is dangerous, but darkness honed to a fine edge is one of the most useful tools there is.

There is indeed more than meets the eye to Setsuna, a rage behind the tranquility, but Setsuna is not quite ready to give all his secrets away. Mello will have to delve deeper, uncover the truth, work for it if he wants it. Unfortunately for him, Setsuna's hold is steadfast, and does not relent, no matter how much Mello might writhe and squirm to make it happen. His arm is trapped until Setsuna deigns to let it go. ]

But enough.

[ There, much better, that friction is so good he'd kill to feel it again, and he tries to, but there Mello goes again, unpredictable firecracker, hand at his throat and squeezing. He can still breathe and move though, so... ]

Make me.

[ ...so he'll grab for that hand, yank it off, and direct it towards his own mouth instead, drawing a leather-wrapped finger inside, encircling it with his tongue and hummmmmming while he grinds into Mello's groin far more insistently than before. He'll bloody worship you, Mello, just say the word, but you've got to give at least a little first. Or he'll have to make you, and that's definitely a prospect he's not opposed to in the slightest. ]