voice ✖ un: M0003

[farmerofwrath]

[Under normal conditions, Zen wouldn't bother resorting to the network for this kind of question, often preferring to investigate on his own. But growing impatience pushes him to do this, in a way he assumes will yield quick answers.

When the audio starts, there's a distinctive sound of a lighter, followed by an exhalation. Smokers, and those who have been around one for long enough to recognize this combination of sounds will easily be able to infer that he is, in fact, smoking.]

I guess this has been asked countless and countless of times, so what's one more time, right?

[A small pause as he takes another drag, breathing the smoke out more softly this time. Despite the sharp wording, his tone is somehow controlled.]

Anyone know of a way to stop whatever this moon's doing that's getting on my nerves?

[Because it's hard not to make the connection between the sanguine moon up in the sky and the maddening restlessness.]

Comments

[farmerofwrath]

[spoilers: he will at the end if they talk for a bit longer

Ironically, Soundwave pretty much described what Zen did the very first time he properly moonlaced, even if this much contact falls under the too close for comfort category to perform, especially with strangers. But still, it's good to hear a confirmation on that subject.]

...That's not exactly comforting to hear, but I guess it could be a lot worse.

oh good LOL I was worried for a sec there

[farmerofwrath]

[That wasn't fair play, hah. So it turns out the other was apparently just waiting for him to make the first move. Zen steels himself after that feint punch, expecting a kick instead. When it connects with his body, he attempts to use the momentum to push that leg and throw the other off balance. A punch aimed at Cassim's stomach soon follows.]

[anotheroldfashioned]

[That gets a finger pointed in his direction.]

Don't talk to me like that. I know what denial is.

This conversation is a waste of time. Clearly, if you're not going to listen to me.

[And he switches the feed off.]

[farmerofwrath]

[What kind of detailed answer is that? He asked a simple question and received a lesson on history and how the planet works. Is this some kind of booty bot? Or perhaps someone with too much free time on their hands?

It's irritating, but maybe he can play along for a bit and see where this leads.]

Wow, you seem to know an awful lot about this world. Your thorough explanation is actually inspiring me to start doing good deeds right now.

[Naturally, he doesn't mean any of these words.]

[fogofdread]

[Dammit, he's smart! Cassim takes the blow to the stomach, stumbling back and staying bent over.]

So you're not new to this. Good to know.

[And then he tries to rush Zen, like a football tackle.]

[farmerofwrath]

[Although a shift in stance manages to momentarily keep him steady when that body collides with his, it's his time to stumble backwards. His hands grab a hold of Cassim's shoulder and a fistful of the fabric on the man's back firmly.

If Cassim intends to push him off his feet, Zen's going to drag him down together.]

[fogofdread]

[Cassim digs his heels in, but with this being cement and not dirt it doesn't do quite so well. Cassim goes sliding and loses his footing, causing them both to hit whatever crates or trash happen to be in this particular alley.]

[wearingguess]

[ just trying to make it sound convincing!!! ]

How wonderful! I hope you find it both helpful and rewarding.
By any chance, would you like some suggestions to get started?

[farmerofwrath]

[Quite the contrary to what Zen expected, somehow Cassim stumbles on the concrete ground, dragging both of them to crash into piles of crates and trash that were messily stacked up behind him.

See, he knew something was amiss with this guy...

Zen lands on his back, dirty trash bags under him and the weight of Cassim's body pinning him down. With no stable footing, he can't get up. Oh, and maybe Cassim should've gotten his cool dreads cut short before coming, because that's where Zen's going to grab and tug. No one said hair was off-limits...]

Get off me.

[farmerofwrath]

[... These attempts at sounding convincing just sound sketchy as hell.]

Yeah, I guess I could use some.

[fogofdread]

[If he cut his hair, someone would riot and Cassim likes having a place to sleep, okay? But all he does is grunt when his dreads are tugged.]

Make me.

[Not like he can get up himself when his hair's caught.]

[farmerofwrath]

[Sharing a place is overrated anyway... But if Cassim's not moving, Zen's just going to tug at it harder while trying to use his other hand and legs to push him away.]

Don't blame me if you end up bald.

[fogofdread]

It'd take more than you to make me bald, but if you want me up then let go.

[Seriously. Cassim goes when he's pushed, but not very far and he just presses a hand down on Zen's chest anyway.]

[satanslash]

H-hey! Don't talk about Kohaku like that!

[wearingguess]

Splendid!

[ titus immediately signs zen's username up for like 30 different spammy text chains featuring well-meaning but inane several-times-daily affirmations, volunteer opportunity alerts for singing to plants in the community gardens / telling jokes to statues / flossing and brushing the teeth of prismals whose moonblessings have left them temporarily without opposable thumbs / etc., and a beta version of a swiffy bot tracker that sends out updated coordinates for each one of the hundreds of cleaner bots that roam greatmoon groves once every hour, on the hour. ]

[farmerofwrath]

[And immediately Zen's device's screen is filled with seemingly endless notifications of said spam arriving at his inbox.]

What... [the heck is this. Or rather...] What the hell have you done?

[Congratulations on pissing him off.]

[farmerofwrath]

[Perhaps he should have gone for his knife and cut Cassim's hair off instead... would've probably yielded better and quicker results.

Anyhow, without an entire body pining him down, Zen can at least push that hand away and sit up. He'll then fling himself at Cassim, grabbing onto the front of the man's tunic and shoving him against the nearest wall.]

Didn't peg you as the kind who enjoyed fighting dirty... literally.

[farmerofwrath]

[He didn't really say anything outright bad though? But here's his chance to get revenge for Rin making fun of him!]

What, so she's actually more than just an outlet for your needs?

[fogofdread]

[And again Cassim goes, but this time he's in a position to bring a knee up and get way too close to below the belt as he knocks Zen's leg out from under him.]

Surprise, the guy who offered to fight doesn't play fair.

[wearingguess]

That should be enough to get you started! Good luck 🎵✨🌙

sorry for the lateness!

[farmerofwrath]

[With his balance broken, Zen stumbles gracelessly, and would easily hit the ground were it not for the wall on the other side to support his weight. Leaning against the wall, he flashes a defiant smirk and reaches for the knife inside his pouch.]

Oh. Are we done playing fair?

[He doesn't sound bothered by the prospect of this game becoming dangerous (quite on the contrary, actually). But feel free to stop him!]

[farmerofwrath]

[Why, this little troll... Zen takes note of the username (because you never know; even if the public activity history for that account seems to be pretty much empty) and hangs up with an annoyed click of his tongue.

Now he has a far from entertaining task to occupy himself with. And he's not thankful for that.]

you're good!

[fogofdread]

You pull a weapon out and I'm done. There's not playin' fair and there's being a dick.

[farmerofwrath]

[Blame Sanguis for urging him to seek bigger thrills!]

You said you have a knife on you, right? Now's a good time to use it.

[fogofdread]

Not on me, because I don't wanna get arrested for murder.