[ Before Majima actually goes looking, he sends about a million text messages to a phone that Kiryu is not currently at liberty to answer. He leverages every possible invective while trying to determine where the fuck the Dragon is. Eventually he realizes it's pointless and goes out into the Down to actually look. He has a second sense for finding Kiryu Kazuma, it really doesn't take him long. Where is the energy tense and wild? Obviously that's where Kiryu is, in trouble like he always is.
Upon determining his location, Majima messages for Airy too. There are too many super-powered fucks who can heal on their own for fights to be fair for regular guys like them. That's why he has his own floating buff unit these days. In the meantime though, Majima goes ahead without her, pushing his way up to the chain, hip-checking other audience members right out of his way and snarling with unconcealed manic fury when anyone protests. He makes it right up front just fine.
He stands for a while with his eye narrowed, watching with peeved annoyance. Can't this asshole keep out of trouble for five minutes? Trouble is Majima's business, who does he think he is? He really only cheers up, and maybe against his will, when he watches Kiryu knock someone out with a savage hook right through the jaw. Majima barks an excited noise and mostly just wants to get in there and beat his ass himself. Current fight concluded, he puts his fingers to his mouth and whistles sharply for Kiryu's attention. ]
[ Absolutely not. He's physically incapable of staying out of trouble for more than five minutes at a time. If he had them to track, Majima would be able to see that he's already gotten himself involved in a few different substories in the city: thankfully, nothing big but it has helped him to pay his bills, one of the reasons he'd been so adamant he didn't want to leave and had ended up here.
But it seems like he's in one piece, if down a shirt, body steaming lightly in the cold. Honestly, it's... not a bad look. When he hears the whistle, he turns like a confused dog himself to face Majima... and he doesn't even have the good grace to look shamefaced as he grunts and starts trotting over to him. ]
Ya could'a just come upstairs with me an' the girls.
[ It's not that he doesn't know how Kiryu is. He just wishes Kiryu would waste his bullheadedness on shit that it's actually worth wasting on. Majima just flaps a hand, it's fucking done now. ]
Airy's gonna come meet us down here and give ya boost.
[Jacob has had a lot to deal with since Oswald disappeared. Vrenille has taken over, but he's no businessman in the way the Gothamite was. Still, the Arena has been Jacob's to mind for several months now, and he knows what to do. He knows how it runs, he knows how to keep the legitimate business going while the illegitimate business settles. Having one of the city's gang leaders suddenly disappear is going to cause ripples.
He'll have to keep the Fight Club going, of course he will, but right now the gym is open as usual, and he is managing it, as usual. There's a couple of the regulars using the weights, one woman at the punch bags suspended from the steel beams.
Jacob himself is at the boxing ring, fixing the ropes which came loose the previous night during the final few rounds of the night.]
It's difficult, when he's feeling this much, this angry, this trapped. Which is why he went looking for places he could get out his aggression... without getting the cops called on him.
It led him here. It's a gym, and that's- that's good. He can spend the money he has on this; it's a good expendature. Though he wants to look around first, which leads him eventually to the ring and to the man working on the ropes. They look like they're well maintained, at least. ]
[ Jacob senses the stranger as he makes his way towards the ring. It's hard not to notice people- the Arena is an old warehouse and apart from the equipment, the solid weights machines and the blocky lockers there's nothing much in this main open area to hide someone. But that's what he designed it to be- there's lots of cover for people defending the place. Not so much for attackers.
Not that he considers this one man an attacker. When the young assassin stands to look at him, he sees muscles, a sense of style, and the sort of tension that could put an elastic band to shame.
Interesting. He dusts his hands off and looks at the man again, nodding a greeting. ]
[ Kiryu dips his head in a greeting in return. He's got a semi-permanent scowl on his face, but it's definitely not directed at Jacob. On the contrary: it looks like that's just his resting bitch face and he's not one to change it without reason.
When he speaks, his tone is polite enough, though heavily accented. His voice is low and smooth.]
Just looking around. Do you know if you're accepting new members?
[ The accent is thick, but he's heard something like it, and it isn't as in London isn't a melting pot of different voices. Scots, Welsh, Irish, Indian, American, German, Chinese, as well as the multitude of English ones. His own betrays the fact his formative years took place in the home counties, but there's a London lilt there too. ]
Don't have memberships here. If you know what you're doing, you're welcome. You pay when you get here, when you use the stuff. That's how it works.
[ He pauses, looking at the mark on the other man's throat. ]
Unless your dom wants to pay for you in advance. We accept that too.
Don't have a dom. [ There's carefully banked fire there in his voice, because someone's new here, still adjusting, hates the idea of being on the end of a leash. Swearing up was one thing; it was a choice, for all that it was the kind of one you took when you had nowhere else to go, no other chance. But this is something else. But he feels forced and he feels rushed and neither of those things have endeared him to the idea.
[ Jacob nods, a gesture of understanding. It rubs him up the same way too, and he almost got himself in a lot of trouble when he first arrived by refusing to sign a contract. ]
Then you and I will get on like a house on fire. I'm Jacob, this is my place.
[ And so saying, he puts a hand on the corner post, using it as a lever as he jumps down from the ring and steps up to the other man.]
[ There's a slight tilt of his head, since he's not familiar with that particular phrase, but the curl at the corner of his lip says that he's picked up it should be positive. Once Jacob's on the ground, he'll tip it back towards the ring. ]
That, for one. Exercise in general is good but I'm curious about the ring.
[ What kind of fighting do they do? Wrestling? Boxing? The more he knows, the better he can gauge whether he wants to get involved. ]
[ He almost asks if the guy is used to fighting, but the stance makes that question redundant. The man might be standing casually, but there's something in him that looks like he's ready to spring. Muscles coiled, relaxed, but ready. Jacob knows that look. He's seen it in so many of the men and women that grew up in London's gangs. Those that had that pose, they were the ones you learnt from, because they knew how to survive.]
Well, really it's nothing special. Just a padded area so people in there don't do themselves any serious harm when they fall on their arse. Or are thrown on it. You been in the city a little while? You know there's people here from everywhere you've heard of, and a lot more from places you haven't. They have different fighting styles. Some of then can do things I've never seen before.
So... we don't impose much by the way of rules. You want a fight? You can use this facility. But we aren't responsible for telling you how to do it. I box, mostly, but I've done knife-fighting in there. And gone up against people with magic with only my bare hands.
[ He shrugs, as if to say that really, he doesn't care. ]
You set the rules with whoever you fight. Don't kill anyone. Don't damage my gym. Does that cover it? Or do you want a go?
[ If there is nothing else Kiryu knows, it's how to survive. ]
I understand.
[ Not a big talker this one, but he tries to make it count, at least. He glances over at the ring one more time before looking at Jacob. While he's certainly been to a match or two where the man running it was anything but a combatant himself (...thinking of the Florist of Sai in the ring is laughable, end of sentence), he has a feeling this man is a lot more hands on.
And he could very much use... a release. Not the kind that this city seems to insist on either. ]
[ Jacob's grin is wide, open, and 100% genuine as the other man says he wants a go. It's been a bit of a slow day so far, and Jacob could certainly do with the opportunity to stretch his muscles.]
You're on.
[ And that said, he easily, nimbly gets back up into the elevated ring, golding his arm out to help the other up. ]
[ Kiryu isn't a huge man, but he's a good solid six feet of muscle. He doesn't eschew the hand offered to him, but he puts plenty of energy into leaping up for himself with more spryness than might be expected. He'll give the other man a firm squeeze, nothing harmful or unpleasant, just a silent thanks, before he pulls off his jacket. ]
I've got a few. How about we stick with fists and feet?
[ He's got several inches on Jacob, not that it seems to make any difference, the young Brit easily leans into the task of helping him up. Then again, he's not doing too much of the work, thanks to that surprisingly energy. He's not unpleasently surprised though, clearly, as his smile grows and he thinks that this bout may be the most interesting he's had for a while. ]
Alright. But you punch or kick me in the throat, I'll pull your balls off. Deal?
[He says it with a friendly tone, there's no real warning or threat there as he stretches his shoulders and steps back- not turning his back on the other man, but putting a bit of space between them before they start.]
[ There's a soft huff in reply, though it's not mocking or dismissive, merely amused. He didn't intend to do that, since it was a lot less fun and choking the other man wasn't his objective. But he'll nod after that, to make it sure he understands.
Then he's got his arms up and he turns a hand beckoning Jacob to him.
[ Jacob does not go in straight away. He has more sense than that. Instead he moves, feet instinctively treading the familiar mat, beginning to circle the other man. In most fights, that starts your opponent circling too, giving you both the chance to see where the weaknesses lay.
But then Jacob shifts, moving in a quick feigned attack as if to strike the left but instead going for the right, going for the jaw.]
[ Kiryu's good, but a lot of being 'good' involves being able to take a hit; he's not the fastest fighter around, even if he's faster than someone might assume. He can't move fast enough to block the blow but he knows that, and instead steels himself and turns to take it on the forehead... and that way, he can shrug it off, using his forearm to knock Jacob's arm aside as he intends to use the closeness and what reaction to the impact Jacob has through his body to go for a low, hard punch to the stomach. ]
[ Speed isn't alone a great gift in fights like this. Yes sometimes you find an opening that you can exploit, but you need quick wits, strength and stamina too. It's those skills in combination that help you survive.
Jacob isn't as fast as his sister for instance, but he is stronger. And he has better stamina than ordinary people. Still, his opponent doesn't know that.
The blow lands, right in his belly, but Jacob rolls with the impact, letting it knock him back, lessening the pain to some degree and giving him a chance to weave to the side and then try to kick the others legs out from under him.]
[ He's fast enough to dodge that, hopping back like a flash before squaring up and waiting for the next little 'round' to start. He's going to let Jacob come to him, see what he's willing to show, before he goes all in just yet. ]
[Jacob issues a soft curse between his teeth, expecting to have caught the man and then followed through with an elbow as the other man came down. But as the guy dodged, Jacob is forced to rebalance himself, to get back to his feet, and he's surprised an attack doesn't come then, when he's open.
But maybe that tells him something about his opponent, something about the man's style. He's watching, learning, and figuring out where Jacob is weak. Fuck.]
Do you often just stand around when people try to hit you? Or are you admiring the view?
[ But the words are amused, teasing more than anything. He knows how to goad opponents into attacking, and he's had people try to goad him many many times. Maybe that trick would work when he was 20, but not these days.
[ There is a particular move that he's learned and practically perfected over the years which can be utilized only when someone happens to try and punch him very directly. This punch just happens to work perfectly for that move, which is why he leans back, shifts his head, and delivers what will feel like a mack truck if it hits directly to Jacobi's stomach lightning fast. Either way, he's stepping into it. ]
[ It takes him... a while to answer. Mostly because he's not sure what to say. It's a lovely picture, she looks gorgeous, and it shows that she's doing well. It's also very... ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
cage things
Upon determining his location, Majima messages for Airy too. There are too many super-powered fucks who can heal on their own for fights to be fair for regular guys like them. That's why he has his own floating buff unit these days. In the meantime though, Majima goes ahead without her, pushing his way up to the chain, hip-checking other audience members right out of his way and snarling with unconcealed manic fury when anyone protests. He makes it right up front just fine.
He stands for a while with his eye narrowed, watching with peeved annoyance. Can't this asshole keep out of trouble for five minutes? Trouble is Majima's business, who does he think he is? He really only cheers up, and maybe against his will, when he watches Kiryu knock someone out with a savage hook right through the jaw. Majima barks an excited noise and mostly just wants to get in there and beat his ass himself. Current fight concluded, he puts his fingers to his mouth and whistles sharply for Kiryu's attention. ]
Get th'fuck over here.
Re: cage things
But it seems like he's in one piece, if down a shirt, body steaming lightly in the cold. Honestly, it's... not a bad look. When he hears the whistle, he turns like a confused dog himself to face Majima... and he doesn't even have the good grace to look shamefaced as he grunts and starts trotting over to him. ]
no subject
How'd ya end up in there?
no subject
[ Look, he was trying to behave. Trying so hard that he stayed put in his housing and figured no one would bother him. Yeah, that didn't work. ]
I know how to put on a show. Better to amuse the guards then have them pissed at you.
no subject
Ya could'a just come upstairs with me an' the girls.
[ It's not that he doesn't know how Kiryu is. He just wishes Kiryu would waste his bullheadedness on shit that it's actually worth wasting on. Majima just flaps a hand, it's fucking done now. ]
Airy's gonna come meet us down here and give ya boost.
no subject
[ And he didn't want ask for more, not after he'd already given him a place to earn some money for himself and all the information when he showed up.
He seems to consider the 'boost' before he shrugs. ]
I'm all right.
The Arena
He'll have to keep the Fight Club going, of course he will, but right now the gym is open as usual, and he is managing it, as usual. There's a couple of the regulars using the weights, one woman at the punch bags suspended from the steel beams.
Jacob himself is at the boxing ring, fixing the ropes which came loose the previous night during the final few rounds of the night.]
Re: The Arena
It's difficult, when he's feeling this much, this angry, this trapped. Which is why he went looking for places he could get out his aggression... without getting the cops called on him.
It led him here. It's a gym, and that's- that's good. He can spend the money he has on this; it's a good expendature. Though he wants to look around first, which leads him eventually to the ring and to the man working on the ropes. They look like they're well maintained, at least. ]
no subject
Not that he considers this one man an attacker. When the young assassin stands to look at him, he sees muscles, a sense of style, and the sort of tension that could put an elastic band to shame.
Interesting. He dusts his hands off and looks at the man again, nodding a greeting. ]
What can I do for you?
no subject
When he speaks, his tone is polite enough, though heavily accented. His voice is low and smooth.]
Just looking around. Do you know if you're accepting new members?
no subject
Don't have memberships here. If you know what you're doing, you're welcome. You pay when you get here, when you use the stuff. That's how it works.
[ He pauses, looking at the mark on the other man's throat. ]
Unless your dom wants to pay for you in advance. We accept that too.
no subject
Trying. to. behave.]
Yet. But I can pay.
[ He'd rather skip the bars than skip this. ]
no subject
Then you and I will get on like a house on fire. I'm Jacob, this is my place.
[ And so saying, he puts a hand on the corner post, using it as a lever as he jumps down from the ring and steps up to the other man.]
What piques your interest?
no subject
That, for one. Exercise in general is good but I'm curious about the ring.
[ What kind of fighting do they do? Wrestling? Boxing? The more he knows, the better he can gauge whether he wants to get involved. ]
no subject
Well, really it's nothing special. Just a padded area so people in there don't do themselves any serious harm when they fall on their arse. Or are thrown on it. You been in the city a little while? You know there's people here from everywhere you've heard of, and a lot more from places you haven't. They have different fighting styles. Some of then can do things I've never seen before.
So... we don't impose much by the way of rules. You want a fight? You can use this facility. But we aren't responsible for telling you how to do it. I box, mostly, but I've done knife-fighting in there. And gone up against people with magic with only my bare hands.
[ He shrugs, as if to say that really, he doesn't care. ]
You set the rules with whoever you fight. Don't kill anyone. Don't damage my gym. Does that cover it? Or do you want a go?
no subject
I understand.
[ Not a big talker this one, but he tries to make it count, at least. He glances over at the ring one more time before looking at Jacob. While he's certainly been to a match or two where the man running it was anything but a combatant himself (...thinking of the Florist of Sai in the ring is laughable, end of sentence), he has a feeling this man is a lot more hands on.
And he could very much use... a release. Not the kind that this city seems to insist on either. ]
But I want a go. If you're up for it.
no subject
You're on.
[ And that said, he easily, nimbly gets back up into the elevated ring, golding his arm out to help the other up. ]
What's your style?
no subject
I've got a few. How about we stick with fists and feet?
no subject
Alright. But you punch or kick me in the throat, I'll pull your balls off. Deal?
[He says it with a friendly tone, there's no real warning or threat there as he stretches his shoulders and steps back- not turning his back on the other man, but putting a bit of space between them before they start.]
Come on then.
no subject
Then he's got his arms up and he turns a hand beckoning Jacob to him.
Come along, kid. Give him a good bout. ]
no subject
But then Jacob shifts, moving in a quick feigned attack as if to strike the left but instead going for the right, going for the jaw.]
no subject
no subject
Jacob isn't as fast as his sister for instance, but he is stronger. And he has better stamina than ordinary people. Still, his opponent doesn't know that.
The blow lands, right in his belly, but Jacob rolls with the impact, letting it knock him back, lessening the pain to some degree and giving him a chance to weave to the side and then try to kick the others legs out from under him.]
no subject
no subject
But maybe that tells him something about his opponent, something about the man's style. He's watching, learning, and figuring out where Jacob is weak. Fuck.]
Do you often just stand around when people try to hit you? Or are you admiring the view?
no subject
[ But the words are amused, teasing more than anything. He knows how to goad opponents into attacking, and he's had people try to goad him many many times. Maybe that trick would work when he was 20, but not these days.
He's going to continue to wait for the moment. ]
no subject
More often than you'd think. But you're probably smarter than a lot of the guys I fight.
[ And with that he dances in again, throwing a fist towards the guys jaw. ]
no subject
I have to fight too often to be stupid.
[ That way, anyway. ]
un: goromi
xoxo
no subject
It's a lovely picture, Goromi-chan.