( open post | active ) your turn to die: rio ranger

[rearranger]

✮ Want to play with Ranger? Comment to this post! Either drop a starter, or just drop a comment and we can plot something out!
✮ Can be informal/formal/comment spam/crosscanon/explicit/whatever tickles your fancy!
✮ Gen, shippy, lighthearted, heavy, angsty, anything goes!

✮ Need some inspiration? Pick a prompt from any one of these memes:

★ rp scenarios generator
★ ways to show affection
★ took you in
★ affectionate physical contact
★ Will they? Won't they? Are they??
★ Random Scenario
★ Just share the damn bed with me
★ Romantic Tropes
★ Roommates
★ Road trip
★ Rainy Day
★ Snow Day
★ Insomnia
★ kinda stuck
★ caught in the rain
★ injuries
★ hurt/comfort
★ amnesia
★ adorafluff
★ little steps
★ family
★ lyric prompts

Comments

[commences]

drops a comment

all things in balance so have something cute

[rearranger]

[ Ranger is the type to keep himself busy at all times. That was, more often than not, a difficult task. The fact that he was a doll meant he didn't get tired, and he had no basic needs to fulfill. It also meant that he didn't have to concern himself with silly little distractions like freezing cold bother him. His temperature self-regulated just fine. Though perhaps because he never had the opportunity to, he seems to have taken to collecting blankets and nesting in them like a cat.

He has, in fact, created a particularly nice blanket nest for himself today that any cat would approve of (and in fact one seems to have approved of it quite nicely, along with Ranger, though the only sign of said cat is a white tail sticking out from the edge and a lump next to him.) Ranger himself has one draped on his head and shoulders like a makeshift cloak, expression cards resting on his lap. He seems to be presently working on a tablet, tapping at the screen's keyboard and occasional flicking up or down with his index and middle finger. Whatever he's doing, it seems to be completely engrossed by it.

... He's gotten really good at figuring out when Komaeda's coming, though. ]

Don't even think about it.

[ What does he mean by that? The answer is yes. This blanket nest is only made for two cats, even if there is still plenty of room. ]

thank god the balance is fixed

[commences]

Isn't that unfair?

( maybe it's the jingle of his skull chain, or maybe it's just his heavy steps that aren't heavy, but to be stopped before he can commit a crime has him slightly disappointed. that's the things with ais, they record, become adjusted to daily life, and then know everything about you, and komaeda finds that a little unfair, and so he tries to do something new every time. sometimes ranger pushes him away, other times, komaeda manages to brute force his way in and hope that the other doesn't send him away.

well, he's ready to fix that problem as he walks behind ranger, and he drops a certain something on the tablet he's playing on, wondering if this would be able to warn him when he's done bad. the cards do a job, but they never really express what ranger's thinking because he plays with them to throw everyone off, but the octopus only has two expression — happy and mad. )

How do you feel if I slipped in too, you'd be...?

( this is where he's waiting for him to keep the octopus on the happy side, because when he asks, he doesn't give the other any time as he grips the edge of the blanket, and he's going to make his attempt to go under as well. as long as he doesn't see it go the opposite side of the octopus, then that means he's done good. )

noooo that octopus is so cute i'm dying

[rearranger]

Nope!

[ Though Komaeda's not the first one to call it such. It isn't quite fair when every little sound and vibration is enough to tip him off. Komaeda was one of the people whose paces and small little tells he knew best, and he's more comfortable around him than most for that reason alone. There's a hint of a frown as the screen is suddenly obstructed. He sets the tablet down on his lap before lifting it up, tilting his head to each side and flipping it over.

He wants to point out that the other could just listen, but then, he's learned over time that clarity is something that he needs to work on. It's difficult after spending so much time around people who intuitively understood him. But though he couldn't do that, Komaeda is both better at reading him and puts forth more effort than the majority. So, his efforts are rewarded. After turning it over a few times, he answers the question by setting it down on top off the tablet with the happy side up. Not that it matters, given that he's already diving under it. But... Ranger doesn't dislike that. ]

... I don't mind.

[ He lifts up the cheerful, open-mouthed grin that doesn't quite match the direct tone. But he does lean just slightly toward Komaeda - he'll let him cling if he wants to today. ]

Sheesh... Is it really that hard to tell?

[ It is, of course, and he knows it, but - well, it doesn't make it any less annoying. ]

please i love it so much how ppl hard at communicating communicates

[commences]

( successfully underneath the blanket, making sure not to bump into the cat underneath as he slips towards ranger's side, and his arms wrapping around his waist so komaeda can lay his cheek on their lap. coming from under leads to many surprises because he didn't expect to see that the octopus is still on the happier side — maybe ranger never messed with it, and he has no reason to be excited, yet, in a small way, he is, eyes sparkling with curiosity until he blinks it all away, and focuses on the conversation. )

Hm? No, you can use your cards, and you're still the same Ranger-kun I've met, but maybe it'll help others understand you better, too.

( call this the third way to figure out what the other feels, and what irritates him, besides it only has two emotions, and the other will have to really choose how he feels at the time. it puts a new wrench in their playing field, the other could use a face card for one expression, and then have the octopus another, but there's something endearing about if ranger does commit to using it. )

And don't say things like you'd rather they not, you're not allowed to be a pessimist with me. ( the only one who can be is the cat that's with them, and while ranger can also be a feline underneath the blanket, komaeda takes his spot as a third as his eyes look up to lock eyes with him for a moment, before squeezing tighter. )

The more you're able to bond with people, the better I can experience your hope!

i'm tempted to get one just to up my communication skills

[rearranger]

Hmm...

[ Ranger considers the words being spoke to him as he looks down at Komaeda. Perhaps it was because it happened so often, but having Komaeda close like this was beginning to feel more natural than not. He's surprised to find that there's something comforting about the feeling of his partner's arms wrapped around his waist... Really, maybe he had made this with a third cat in mind.

Ranger places a hand on Komaeda's head with a little pat. Compared to his partner, Ranger would show his affection with small touches which, despite no doubt having all the implicit knowledge on how it worked, he seemed to have no idea what to do with. But these small gestures were more than anyone else could manage to pull from him. ]

It's the opposite. It'd be nice if people stopped reading into everything. [ A particular problem when you were hard to read, others made a game of dissecting your behaviors. ] Okay, I'll give it a try and let you know how it goes. And you're gonna listen when I use this one too, right?

[ And not keep up the bad behavior when it's flipped over? He seems dubious. ]

which color are you going to get I WANT ALL OF THEMMMM especially the satan one

[commences]

( ranger's affections are more than enough and then never enough, but that's because komaeda fills in the gaps willingly. it's easy when someone doesn't expect affection, and so he's able to place so much of his in the name of hope — the other way around tends to serve difficulties, and he's unable to function properly. because he wrapped his arms around ranger's waist first, the patting of his hand doesn't cause komaeda to flinch, rather, he pushes his head into the male's palm like a cat would do. )

...Huh? Isn't that unfair, you can look at everyone and basically gauge their actions. ( ranger has capabilities beyond a human despite was created to be human — they have faults, and ranger has a few, but corrupted data is just scientific way to say dementia if anything happens to him. luckily he has friends who are willing to tamper with what's wrong to make it right again, and komaeda's here as moral and hope support. as long as hope can be found, he's always there, which sounds cliche, but it's true that he can find hope anywhere as long as his senses allow him to. )

Hm. ( he looks at the octopus that's sitting on the tablet, does he really have to listen? he should be able to do whatever he wants — or so he thought, but by word of god, the white cat has moved to sit on komaeda's back, and now he's trapped in place. it's fine, that also means, he's trapped ranger in place as well, and so it's a domino effect of what he likes all in one. )

Are you going to make rules along with it...? All it'll tell me is how you feel about something, do you want sweets if you're angry?

SAMMEEE i might get the cute lil black/gray one, very cute and spoop

[rearranger]

[ There's a resigned little sigh as Ranger responds to his hand being pressed against by letting his hand slide down, stroking his hair. He's come a long way in a short time, really, considering how quickly his hand would retreat at the start. It's still not quite comfortable for him to be so close to another person, but he doesn't mind being trapped like this. But he thinks presently that rather than not minding it... He likes being close to this person. That seems more fitting. ]

It isn't. [ It isn't because he says so, though he supposes that's true enough. He has all the mechanics to form human expressions, but no real ability to utilize him. The few that he can manage are as muted as his other behaviors, only full of pep and energy when he artificially creates it. Humans weren't designed to read someone like him. But he was designed to read and respond to humans. So he says that, and then concedes: ] Eh, maybe a little.

[ But he's still happy when Komaeda manages to pick up on it, or at least as close to happiness as he ever gets. ]

Huh? Why sweets? I don't eat. [ Komaeda should be used to this kind of literal answer by now. He huffs, switching to the ice cream cone. ] When somebody gets ticked off, you're supposed to stop doing whatever stupid thing you're doing.

then it'll be halloween at your house all the time... wait you're onto sumn...

[commences]

( that's usually the go-to for moody girls, and while ranger isn't moody, he can't give much in the emotions department aside from negative feelings. luckily for him, negative feelings as just as positive to komaeda — as someone who lacked love from his parents, and believes the world hates him, that too can be a form of love. perhaps his time with ultimate hope before he became hinata hajime has steeled him even more — constantly being called boring, told that his life was nothing but a spec of dirt that fluttered in the wind — his heart skipped every time. that's why he's able to take the good and the bad of ranger's personality, and find something to be delighted over. )

Not even... ( ... ) ...data chips?

( he deserves to be hit for it, and he's expecting it, but he makes it his goal to hurry after, looking back to the octopus. the happy expression is enough to tell him that ranger's satisfied at the moment, and he doesn't have to bend his neck and look up at the card, and then apply his tone. this should make thing even more harder to understand between them, but he feels that it'll be a fun addition to their lives so far. )

While that's true... how am I to know, when using this, you aren't allowed to tell me, but have me reflect on my actions.

( and when komaeda thinks about what he does, he never does anything wrong, and does good for everything. so using the octopus against him might be a double edged sword. he hums softly, now allowing his cheek to sink into ranger's lap as he relishes in the warmth of his body. after, he closes his eyes in thought of just finding this octopus laying around in various areas, and flipped as one of the two emotions. )

yes halloween all day every day... the only holiday i need truly

[rearranger]

[ He doesn't respond to the joke, but the way that his hand stills is probably enough to tell him that he's taking that nonsensical question to be more serious than it actually is. He's not entirely sure what's being referred to here, but Ranger is pretty sure that it wouldn't be edible. He wasn't entirely devoid of humor, but it was one of the many things where he would pick up on it and engage in it as often as it would go over his head and he'd try to make sense of it. It comes with the bigger problem of being uncertain if confusion counts as happy or mad, but in the end he leaves it as is for the moment. ]

Data isn't edible, [ He finally clarifies, seeming to have concluded that it was a serious question, no doubt because somebody had asked something equally stupid in earnest before, and having presumably decided based on the initial question that Komaeda had a gross misunderstanding of how dolls worked. The suggestion that's given next takes a little more thought. It seems dangerous to leave this person to reflect on their actions by themselves, but then, perhaps it didn't matter. Komaeda was inclined to do as he wished, just as Ranger was. ]

Sure. I'll trust you to figure it out on your own. You oughta be able to at least do that much, seeing as we're partners and all.

what about christmas i think hes also ready for christmas...

[commences]

( there goes that textbook answer, and komaeda sighs like he's been defeated, because he knew this wouldn't get far. it was worth a try, though, it's those types of reply that makes komaeda have to speak fluent in being straightforward — he doesn't like it so much because he's always talking in circles, wanting to make someone think, but what is there for ranger to ponder over when he knows it all? or thinks he does. )

Really!?

( like he's excited to be left alone to his own thoughts, and he even jolts his head up like he really needs to look at ranger to make sure he meant what he said. the feline jumps too, scared from the sudden movement, and with her tail it comes down onto komaeda head, the tips of it in his face, and he lifts one hand to try and push it away. he deserves that, which he's guessing means for him to shut up and stop moving. blowing his breath, he tries to force the feline to remove their tail too, but that doesn't seem to be working out in his favor either. )

Then you have to keep it with you all the time, if it isn't on your person... I'm allowed to do whatever I want to you.

( deal? deal. of course, it sounds suggestive when he says it, but his true intentions? hm. )

okay yes christmas too please give him that he would love it

[rearranger]

[ Ranger realizes that his mistake when he hears the sigh, but by then it's already too late to do anything about it except be grateful that the latteral offering had been more favorable for one of them. He uses a finger to push the tail out of Komaeda's face, though that only leads to it flicking back and forth. She was, apparently, already fed up with being disturbed by human antics.

He catches the suggestion in that tone, but doesn't believe it for even a second. If he wasn't thinking of something far stranger than it would suggest now, he has no doubt that he would at the time. He has the distinct feeling, too, that no amount of refusing to agree would keep him from later claiming that it was the deal all along.

So rather than try and fight the tide, he instead asks: ]

And just what are you gonna do if you can do "whatever you want?" I thought you just did that anyway.

[ ... That excitement of his really is worrying. ]

NOOO it should be white and red and have little stars on it and christmas lights

[commences]

( even with ranger's efforts, the tail carelessly falls back into place, tickling the bridge of komaeda's nose, and he's already squinting so none of the cat's hair gets into his eyes. that smile from before remains, not exactly bothered, but there's nothing that can be done when a feline chooses what they want to do — much like both of them. ranger who follows his own rules because that's the personality he has, and komaeda who does whatever he want because he's not confined to this body that he has &mdash he'd give it away, if he could. )

Hm? Well, I'll take your face cards so they aren't in the way when I kiss you.

( that's the first thing that comes to mind, especially when the other is so protective of the ones he's madde so far, especially the new ones. ) And when I pull you into my lap, you can't leave, not even if Chidouin-san's life was on the line. ( his hold onto ranger is tighter as he lifts these requests off, which means if komaeda asks for it, the other should down, and let whatever happens... happens. it's a push, but that's how hope is born for the latter, and as for the former, he doesn't feel selfish because it's a rule that the other has to abide by. )

It's hard when you can fight back, so we'll render your attempts futile! So listen to me, and don't try to stop whatever I'm up to, okay?

( should be a good reason to keep the octopus on him. )

[commences]

( handcuffs around his wrists, shackles that clack together by chains around his ankles, and last, but not least, a metal manacle tightly fitted around the circumference of his neck, and a long chair that hangs past his knees. aside from his messy hair, everything else about him clothing wise seems well put together, from the jacket, to the striped t-shirt that show off his collarbone, and the pair of black jeans. his attire matches nothing of asunaro, but perhaps there's interest on the medical side of the establishment.

pallid skin to show how sickly he is, along with the dead, stagnant expression found in his sicky, green eyes. he's unmoving, there's no defining air about him other than having the appearance of a rotting corpse. there's one piece of hair that tickles the bridge of his nose, the rest light a flickering flame that won't expire no matter how much the wind blows through his hair, or he walks forward that causes it to bounce along. )

Master, I supposed your daily, scheduled maintenance went well. Ahaha, it should have, ASUNARO isn't a place for faulty products.

( there's a small smirk that pulls against the corner of his lips, before it levels out into a kinder smile that doesn't reach his eyes. he's not the perfect fit here, he knows nothing about the innerworkings of asunaro, he's just a servant that's been working under the name all because he was lucky to be picked up, and thus thrusted into becoming the third level's floor master's problem. )

A~ny~way~... ( the lilt in his voice exposes that carefree attitude of his, not too attached to the idea. moving on, ) We're meant to test a few attractions, I'll accompany you at your command.

[rearranger]

[ Just a simple servant intended to accompany the floor masters, and one that Rio Ranger never asked for. He lets out a small sigh, cursing Safalin under his breath. This was her pet project, and yet it was his problem as always, something that was at once below and above his status. There's a little twitch at the word faulty, though it's true enough; a case study was one thing, but ASUNARO would dispose of anything less than perfect b y its standards. ]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.... It's damn creepy when you put it that way, so knock it off.

[ Which statement is he referring to? Who knows. Neither of them mattered. His hand reaches out to bat at the chain around his neck, fingers curling as he flirts with the idea of pulling on it before his hand pauses. Safalin could have fun with that one, the creep that she is. It's just the same as she would no doubt have fun by that matter of address that makes Ranger wrinkle his nose. He likes smart kids, and those that which know their place, but finds this to be a little too much of both. ASUNARO doesn't make mistakes, and this in particular is important to their above-ground goals, and yet...

Yank. There it is. Ranger gives that chain a small pull for the same reason that a child picks and pulls at their toys - the simple delight and curiosity that comes from doing so. He shakes his head after, letting go and turning on his heel and starting to walk without much other interest. Isn't it difficult - no, nearly impossible for them to move when restrained as such...? Well, that's not his problem until flexibility is needed for an attraction.... Well, he could handle any one of them himself, anyway. ]

C'mon, we'll make a date of it.

[ It's a joke, of course, but the fact that it's not all that unlike the way a couple might go to a carnival and test out all the games and other various attractions of their own isn't lost him.

...

He's going to kill her later. ]

[commences]

( that's a nasty habit servant finds, how the floor master bats at his chain, causing it to swing from side to side until it stops back into the center again. he doesn't flinch, nor does he react at all aside from watching his master fiddle with it. it's a part of him, a reminder of the hope that he's attached to, and that no despair will be able to keep him in one spot. he moves freely with the weights behind him, and he may be no different from the one participant that prowls about in appearance. their reasons of being in these chains are different, one killed, but servant has no true direction, he's unpredictable, he's one of the many remnants scattered around that very few are interested in.

he's done his job, he's raised his war, and being plucked from what he knows best has brought him here. this place is meant to be a part of healing, but it only encourages his behavior to stab.

there's that pull, and his shoes tap forward, and the cool steel around his neck draws him in only a slight. a physical response is unlike him for the moment. )

Hm? You have such free time to engage in frivolous actions?

( to mock, to show his indifference to what's around him, and he doesn't even play the proper role of a servant even though that's the name he gives himself. he doesn't know that person he used to be, that fanatic is dead, and now he's grown stronger, he's more knowledgeable, and he's shackled to a company that he doesn't mind watching burn from the inside out. he's not too keen about being here, but he's always been a snake, someone who couldn't be trusted, and that's because of his own goal. )

My, my... this company sure is lenient.

( it flips off the tip of his tongue casually, playfully even as he turns around on the balls of his heels, following after without much demur. had this been the vice floor master, the servant might have been intense with his words, but he can tell crocodile tears and fish tears apart, there's not much a guppy can do when they cry. as for a crocodile, they sob with their mouths open, and then their teeth clamps down on those who aren't paying attention. that's an interesting escape that she displays to people around her, while playing as the kind and seemingly caring, and then there's... )

Master. ( the one who doesn't share the same feelings. ) Which attraction were you interested in? Truthfully, I won't be of any help, so I'll warn you not to count on me.

[rearranger]

Ahahaha! Nope, they're just feeling generous today~

[ The answer is quick and sharp as Ranger switches from the open-mouthed grin to the ice cream cone, the wing peeking out from behind him every now and then as he walks along. The idea is funny, though not quite as funny as the idea of shoving this guy into the incinerator. But ASUNARO has interest in Ultimate Despair, and it seems that his case is of particular interest. It was a means of advancing their own work, and it was means of pushing back in a world that had gone insane. One would never know it, though, not in this neat and clinical facility which possessed everything one could ever need.

He calls himself servant, but there's more to it than that. It reminds him of Hiyori - a smiling, cheerful smile to hide careful calculations and ill-intent. It allows him to fit in perfectly with them. He clicks in tongue in response. In truth, there was no way that he could test them out alone. There was the fact that they needed two people, but there was the far bigger issue of ensuring that they were balanced in such a way that humans could manage them. It did no good to confirm that with a doll. ]

Just Ranger is fine.

[ He ignores the question, as well as the dismissal, and instead focuses on the manner of address. There's something about being called master that makes his skin crawl. ]

[commences]

So, Master...~ ❤

( he ignores the correction, focusing on what they'll be doing today than the technicalities of what they are to one another. there's something about doing anything someone asks that makes him not want to do it, so he won't do it. )

You didn't answer my question.

( he knows that the other didn't answer on purpose, and so he believes they'll somehow meet at a standstill constantly. servant won't budge until he so chooses, but he does lift a hand like he's a student that's been called on the teacher, even wiggling his palm to emphasize that it's important. the chains shake as he does so, and they knock together making a obnoxiously loud chime. being able to move about despite his hands are cuffed, he keeps a pleasant smile on his face, and remains polite to questioning the floor master before him. ah, he thinks had they both been here, he wouldn't make conversation, and instead let them talk amongst themselves. )

I didn't take you for someone that was into surprises, well, I don't mind. As long as we hurry this up.

( he doesn't have forever, he has things to do, as a remnant, there's something he has to return to. there's a job beneath this job, one that's more important than being a pet no matter how carefree he is about this. his right hand squeezes into a fist, and then he opens it after, but the other hand doesn't move at all, but remains in a mitten, and limply hangs. with his left, he lifts it up to press against his chest, continuing their conversation. )

Hurry, hurry.

[rearranger]

[ Ranger glances over to him. There's no change in his expression, despite the twinge of irritation, but that's nothing out of the ordinary for him. No matter how much he was poked and prodded and picked at, regardless of Safalin's tears and every other response, that blank look never seems to change. But because he's a Floor master, he can recognize it when somebody's making an effort to prompt a reaction.

He's not like Safalin, who was always so responsive and letting her feelings spill forward, and so that request is readily ignored as he continues walking at a steady pace. That he says nothing is informative in and of itself, but there's little that can be done about that. That said, he can't help but cringe at the obnoxious rattling of chains. It's painful to the ears, and that's exactly the point. But despite it all, he continues at his own steady pace. ]

What're you in such a hurry for?

[ His voice is flat, without even a hint of inflection, because there only ever is when he forces it. His charge will likely be about as inclined to give a direct and honest answer as Ranger currently is, but it at least serves to acknowledge his impatience. The ones he'd been asked to examine... Let's see, they wanted to confirm the difficulty of the Charge Cards, and then there was a possible malfunction with the Memory Dance attraction. The others, Ranger thinks, should be fine. ]

[commences]

I'm a pretty busy servant.

( if that wasn't obvious from the clacking of his chains, and the brisk walk he takes to follow beside ranger, then he must not be doing enough. though, he's not really in a hurry, he only acts out in order to be removed purposefully. his neat little trick that should work on some, but it becomes tedious when they want him around. with the warriors of hope, servant could come and go as he pleases, he'd report to monaca and move on, but here, he doesn't have that same power. no one listens to him, he doesn't command children, or tell them to kill the annoying adults, what's even worse he doesn't have the authority to tamper with their devices to change the difficulties. )

You have a Vice that can carry out your whims, but if you need a sacrifice, then I'm only able to help you with one attraction.

( wouldn't that be pretty pointless? so he'll oversee what he does as he gets someone else to play these silly, little games. it may seem that servant has no interest, but he finds excuses, builds up on them, and decides he doesn't want to deal with this anymore. for now, his eyes glance from wall to wall as they walk, wondering which path they'll take from the little, quaint living space that they have here. there's comfort, he guesses, for people who may live here soon, but he walks around a table, glancing at each exit of the main room they can take. )

[rearranger]

[ Busy indeed. Is he that worried about indulging this little check of theirs? That should be of interest to him if he would understand the inner mechanisms of ASUNARO. They're silly little games, but they're what was used to push the game along in just the right manner. Those, combined with the Me Tokens, would create strong bonds and encourage trust amongst the participants. They would exchange tokens, perhaps in a mathematically and clinical manner, once they caught onto the nature of the game. Then they would run through the attractions in pairs.

Simple, easy, a nice and neat little plan to create lasting friendships with people that could be depended on. ]

Huuh? Who said said anything about a sacrifice? Ahaha, that's just for the main game.

[ He continues on without stopping, down a cooridor that doesn't quite match anything else in the facility. It's in a state of disrepair, with wood and other debris littered about the ground, and a portion of the wall completely smashed in. There's three lights coming from the attraction entrances and, toward the end, a single, sturdy metal door hangs open. He stops in front of the first door. ]

Besides, it's just a card game. I'll even be your opponent.

[ He can more or less mimic the difficulty of the actual AI, so it's not really that big of a deal. He's done it with Safalin, but neither one of them could be considered fair for the purpose of testing for a layman. ]

[commences]

( he both listens and observes, nods as the floor maser speaks about their games. quite endearing, he finds, the last time he heard of an interesting concept like that is when class 78 were placed into their mistress' killing game, ah, even now, it's such a shame that she isn't here to look at what this place is capable of. it moves servant's heart, passionate as he is about her, but deep inside of the crevices of his sick heart he utterly depises everything she stands for.  that mind-numbing despair has pressed down on his thoughts, his feelings, and he can't push off the prickling feeling of her nails digging into his skin, holding him down, those plump, full lips painted in crimson pressed against his neck. the excitement that overwhelms her mixed with disgust as she ruins him, the absolute bliss that comes from watching him slip even deeper and deeper, ah...

he hates the thought, but the more despair he overcomes the better when hope will ravage what's left of the world to help recover what was taken. if despair spreads, it'll only take hope a matter of seconds to burn it all away, and once the world is pure and clean will those loved by hope cause thick bushes of green, and plants of lively colors to flourish, bringing back life as they used to know it.

it's never just a card game in these circumstances, especially with their own set of participants. )

If it's what Master wants, who am I, a lowly servant, to say no.

( but he will say hurry, he'll engage then find something else, and that's because he's no good staying in one place.

he turns his head both left then right, looking at their demolishes surroundings that seem like something out of a horror movie. this is where the protagonist will run back to in order to find a specific item, or there's hidden secrets located, thats typically the gimmick of this area. )

If I win, Master, will you release me from my shackles?

( he lifts out his bound wrists with a pale hand, and a gloved one for the floor master to see. )

difficulty: 10; roll: 17

[rearranger]

[ Ranger pauses for a moment, lifting an eyebrow at the question. There's a reason those chains are kept on him even now, and yet, he stares for several seconds as he considers. Of the Floormasters, only Ranger and Hiyori are capable of entertaining that request. There were other security measures in place in the event that something went wrong, and as such along with his chain there's a fitted collar with a fast-acting sedative in it, but those that still qualified as human had no desire to entrust their fate to that needlessly.

Ranger isn't human, though, but the result of human achievements. Rio Ranger, also known as "Rio Laizer" outside of the Death Game, an doll that which possessed both all of the amazing learning abilities and knowledge of an AI and the heart that made up as a human. His heart wasn't torn out as it had been in other worlds, but the atmosphere of the oppressive world he lives in seems to have led him to kill that heart as readily as those around him. He's as stoic as Gashu Satou, as efficient and ruthless as Sue Miley, and as sickeningly dedicated to acquiring and utilizing new information as Tia Safalin - all while hiding behind the opposite mask as her.

ASUNARO's greatest achievement, who can handle all those tasks that humans can't, has the qualifications to give an easy shrug in answer. ]

Sure. I don't have any clear chips for you, so I guess that'll have to do.

[ He gestures for Servant to follow as he steps inside, and once he does he'll find that they've stepped into a small room that's barely bigger than a walk-in closet. There's nothing there but a single door. There must be sensors in the room, because it's only once both of them are in that the lock on the door clicks and the door creaks open. ]

[commences]

How generous, I knew Master would be kind, to think you have love for a mere human like me.

( that hearty chuckle is humored not by his role, but by the conversation of obtaining clear chips from a game. he understands how this works, a certain amount needed to proceed to the next part of the game. he doesn't think they fit as a proper motive, but children will fight for toys that they like, and others will break fingers just so that they can get their paws on them. ah, he heard there was a little, furry child within the ragtag group that they have.

he takes a step into the room, his chains clacking together as the door clicks, and seconds later he watches as the door creaks open. had he been the seventeen year old from before, he would have walked forward without waiting, but he isn't like that anymore, and so he waits for his floormaster to walk in first. )

But I understand humanity isn't what drives you, it's all data that's been implemented, what's been removed, so you think everything is willed by you. Ah... Your creators, rather, are so kind to me.

( quite the chatter box, making comments, and talking about whatever comes up on his mind just because he has no filter. he doesn't truly care what gets under his floormaster's skin or not, when he's already been granted his cooperation in removing the shackles if he does good enough. )

Well then, should we begin walking? ( he holds out his mitten hand to show the direction that he should go. )

[rearranger]

Well, neither one is right. You can talk to Miley if you wanna have that conversation.

[ Gashu was too unemotional, and Safalin was too emotional, and so Miley was just right to tell a person to tell a person not to undermine their hard work. The comment does get under his skin, and there's certain a little twitch, but nothing can be seen behind the ice cream cone he holds in his hand. It's hard to be too offended by a freak like this. His thoughts and views were duly noted and stored away in his database for future use and nothing more.

Ranger steps inside and the next room lights up. It's a dark room with just a few dim lightbulbs and the a large table in the center illuminating it. The table itself appears to be a screen, which appears to be intended to resemble a card mat, and there's three slots for cards in front of each player area, along with three hearts that indicate health. The opposite side has a similar set up, but there's a long orange health bar. There's also a tablet affixed on each side; it appears to be connected to the device, but it can be taken off and moved just enough to hold it comfortably if a person wants. The screen is blank. Finally, there appears to be something that resembles a gun, or maybe a canon, attached to the ceiling. It's a fairly elaborate set up, but nothing out of the ordinary for ASUNARO.

He lifts a hand toward the player side as he makes his way over to the side intended for the game master, and there's a series of rapid touches as he goes through the tedious process of unlocking it and adjusting various settings. After he's done so, the table on Servant's side will light up with the words TOUCH TO START appearing in blinking white letters.

Touching the screen will bring up a set of rules describing it as "A card game where you battle opponents by selecting three cards at a time." It also covers the four cards - CHARGE to build up power (max 3,) BLAST (uses one charge,) BLOCK (blocks the opponent's attack,) and SPECIAL (a more powerful version of blast; uses all charge.) There's a button at the bottom of this that he can press once he's ready to start the game proper. ]