Who knew tech gave dragons stomach problems?

[moderndaydragon]

[So, those in one of the halls are being treated to a sight. Karasu, in annoyance and frustration, crushed half a wall and ate an intercom.

And it's given her a stomachache. So this particular hallway is now being completely blocked by a dragon who only just barely fits, and even then very precariously, as she's already wrecked one foundation and her mere presence has dented the ceiling and other walls.



Alternatively, a bit later on, Karasu in her human form can be found in the arcade, still with somewhat of a stomachache and sitting at one of the machines in a high-legged chair she stole found somewhere.]

Comments

[moderndaydragon]

Prefer setting the rules of the game to your own terms?

[Oh yeah, Matt, she was watching the whole thing. And she looks impressed. There's no way she could ever do something quite like that. Seriously, with paperclips and a screwdriver? She'd probably need a whole toolbox just to get it open.]

You're pretty good at that sort of thing.

[deckers]

Why not when I have the power to do so?

[ Ah, yes. Time to gloat. He's been needing a boost of confidence ever since losing to the Saints and arriving on this rock. Finally, there's something familiar that he can mess around with. ]

I am the cyber god, after all.

Dammit Karasu stop feeding the Matt.

[moderndaydragon]

You might ruin it for someone else?

[She's joking, of course. These things probably reset the exact same as everything else in this place.

Matt is rewarded with a skeptical look for that last bit, though she seems more amused than anything.]

I'll admit, I'm not familiar with many gods that walk around in leather with neon glowing designs. At least you're a trendy one: that does look like a pretty cool outfit.

No, no, do continue.

[deckers]

That's part of the fun.

[ Sitting back up in the chair he brought over, he places his away into his leg pack and looks over at Karasu. ]

It's PVC, actually. The piping and designs were made with electroluminescent wires and tape.

I think she just wants to smooze a Decker uniform out of him.

[moderndaydragon]

If you say so!

[She still thinks he's kidding, but at least he has her full attention now as she's looking over his outfit a bit more carefully. She doesn't entirely understand what he's talking about, but she knows enough to get the gist of it. And that's enough to know one important thing.]

That's pretty impressive! Did you make it?

Can't blame the gal.

[deckers]

Modified it, actually.

[ He looks away, lining up his fingers with the arcade buttons and grabbing the joystick between two fingers, thumb resting on top. It's a grip meant for a fighting game but old habits die hard. ]

It's not all that difficult if you know what you're doing.

The Deckers lure everyone in with their awesome fashion sense.

[moderndaydragon]

I'll take your word for it. I wouldn't even know where to begin!

[...Eh. She died again, so she'll turn in her seat to watch Matt play, leaning one arm on the machine and her hand on it.]

Though the bright blue would probably fit my colors.

[deckers]

[ Thank goodness he doesn't have performance anxiety. If anything, he plays the game better with an audience. ]

Perhaps but it wouldn't be the smartest move you could make. They're gang colors. While it isn't likely that you would meet someone from my world, the probability is still there and--.... well, most of everyone is a psychopath. You would be shot at in a matter of seconds.

[ Or have a chair thrown at you. Killbane really likes chairs. ]

[moderndaydragon]

You're in a gang?

[Geeze man you can't be any older than she is. ...But then again, that's honestly not too surprising now that she actually thinks about it. Not the best of news, but not surprising.]

You seem too nice for that.

[Yes, she just called you nice. Deal with it. She rubs her arm at the idea of being shot, grimacing a little. Eck...]

I know I can heal some things other people would die from, but I'm not exactly eager to test it out with bullets... but what about you, then? Why are you still in the colors if it's that dangerous?

[She'd probably dragon and try to throw him out a window if he tried that. Though whether or not she'd succeed or be suplexed would have to be seen.]

[deckers]

In a gang? I'm the leader. [ Pause. ] Rather, I was the leader.

[ He goes quiet for a moment, slapping away at the buttons and frantically moving the joystick. Once the enemy on screen is defeated, he scoffs at her observation. Him? Nice? ... Sure, if you know how to partition a harddrive or happen to fancy Nyte Blayde. ]

I made a peace offering to the rival gang's leader in order to save my skin so I happen to be exempt.

[ And he didn't exactly stick around Steelport long enough to see if the Saints stopped their assault on Decker territory. There was that whole fear of dying thing and all. ]

[moderndaydragon]

I see...

[She doesn't really have a comment to that one. The leader of a gang... he really does seem nice, if a bit cocky. Maybe more than a bit, but he hasn't seemed too bad to her so far.

Still... now she wonders what kind of gang he's from, that'd be this knowledgeable about games and tech and wore stuff like that.]

I'm glad you're okay, at least.

[It's the truth. Even if they just met, he did warn her. And he's been friendly.]

[deckers]

[ A brow arches under his bangs and he spares a quick glance in her direction, confusion evident. It's short-lived since the game draws him back with the entrance of the level's boss. Still, as he's punching away at the buttons, he speaks up: ]

I find that hard to believe. You don't even know me.

[moderndaydragon]

So? I know you enough that you're at least somewhat of a good person. You tried to warn me, after all. And you seem pretty smart and comfortable with these sorts of things.

[She taps the game she's leaning on.]

So that's enough for me to be glad you're all right. Do I really need more of a reason than that?

Sorry about being late, my modem croaked.

[deckers]

Perhaps I just didn't want you wearing my colors. As for the arcade cabinet--

[ He pauses, biting on the corner of his lower lip while the enemy manages to catch him off guard. Matt slaps at the stick and struggles with the opponent before yelling at him: ]

Oh, piss off!

[ And it seems to help. After the small outburst, he manages to knock them out. ]

Right, as I was saying - by adopting that mentality, a man that brutally murdered thousands would be 'good' just because he happens to be a gifted pianist. You're naive to think that my skill has any correlation to my morality. It's how one handles the skill and I can assure you that what I did for fun? Hardly what one would call 'good'.

It happens, no worries~.

[moderndaydragon]

That's very much a possibility.

[She has to hide a laugh at that, putting a hand over her mouth as she listens to him. Hm... she'll admit, that's a good point.]

All right. So let me rephrase that.

Until it's proven to me that someone is that sort of person, then I'll think the same way. ...There's someone here that's not even that good of a person, but I still can't help but want to help them, when it comes down to it.

I have been called naive before. Probably, I really am. But I'm not the type of person who can honestly wish something ill on others. I'm the one who'd rather help them, even if they don't want that sort of help.

So, yes. I'm still glad that you're okay. And you're free to mock me for it, if you feel the need to.

[Her voice is a bit dry, but firm. After everything with the Thief King... well, she can't exactly pretend to be all high and mighty anymore.]

Way too often with Comcast.

[deckers]

[ He isn't quite sure how to respond to that. At least she realizes it may be problematic. Though if you know that and yet you continue to persist, doesn't that fit the definition of an idiot?

... Best not say that though. While she may be stupid for believing the best in people, she does still have an intercom speaker in her stomach. That's a fact that shouldn't be overlooked. ]

I hardly need your permission.

[ But he doesn't go straight for the insults, so that's something. ]

I've only ever heard bad things about Comcast.

[moderndaydragon]

[Idiot could definitely be applied to her, but it may be because of why she has an intercom in her speaker that she can get away with that when others can't. If someone seriously tried to hurt her, they'd find themselves a dragon snack.

Or at least crushed under a giant tail.]

No, I guess not.

[The dry tone's replaced with something more neutral, and she lets the conversation drop, just turning her attention to what he's playing.]

[deckers]

[ The silence is awkward and carries out for at least a minute before Matt even considers breaking it. ]

This machine is rigged so continues are unlimited. So long as you refrain from friendly fire, I don't see any problem with you joining in.

[ And he's playing into her hand by offering her a seat at his arcade cabinet, isn't he? As an after-thought, he adds: ] It looks like you need all the help you can get.

[moderndaydragon]

[She's a bit surprised at the offer, but smiles anyway, getting up to go over and sit by him.]

I'm good enough to do that, at least. But you're right. I'm always glad for help.

[Not that she's very bad at games, but hey. If he's going to give her an opening, she'll play along with it like that.]

Thank you.

[deckers]

[ Pfft, if she wasn't bad, she wouldn't have had a continue screen only minutes ago. ]

Don't use the red character. The hitbox on his basic attack is terrible. He's also slow. [ Matt scoffs. ] They thought they were balancing the game. What good is a power character if you can't hit anyone?

[moderndaydragon]

[She's just not Decker level, thank you very much. She never had anyone like that back home showing her how to not suck, so it's all self-taught.]

Hm, all right. [She'll pick the yellow one, then.] It is annoying that they always seem to over-compensate when balancing things. You'd think they didn't play it at all!

[deckers]

Ugh, one on one fighting games are worst when it comes to that sort of thing. It makes sense to balance hit points, power, and speed but just because someone cries foul over a single tournament loss doesn't mean you need to nerf the winning character.

[ He's had to learn new characters just because of that. Stupid developers. ]

[moderndaydragon]

I know! I don't play fighting games all that regularly, so when even I can notice it, it's a little ridiculous.

[She can appreciate the effort and intention, at least, but not much beyond that.]

[deckers]

[ Aww, look. Matt's leaving a health item on the ground for her to pick up. ]

And then they make all the characters the scrubs use overpowered. It's ridiculous.

WOW HOW DID I MISS THIS I apologize sincerely.

[moderndaydragon]

[She flashes a smile at him as she takes it.]

It's probably easier than actually fixing the problem. Maybe they're just lazy?