MASKTOURN

As soon as the fight announcements had wrapped up, Roman sauntered over toward the stage. "Naiyta! So nice to see you again, though it's not quite as fun without the chains.." Roman chuckled and held his hands behind his back. "Did you see I cleaned up a bit? Juuuuuust for you." (edited)

(u tagged aj lol)

(Oop)

Naiyta was settling back into their seating area, and even had a glass of wine in their hand, when Roman approached. "I did see. Or rather, I do now." They hummed. "What can I do for you on this fine evening, my friend?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman put his hands up on to the edge of the stage and tried to lift himself up, but all that he could do was strain and let his sandals uselessly slip and slide off of the wall. His arms shook with exertion at his failed attempt, and he just fell back to the floor. "Well, a hand to get up to you first would be very appreciated." Roman said and held his hands out toward Naiyta. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Would it?" Naiyta set down their drink and got up, extending out a hand to help Roman up. "Hold on." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman grabbed on to Naiyta's hand- one hand wrapped around its hand and the other gripping on to its wrist. He had a decent enough hold, at least enough to keep himself from slipping off. "All ready!" Roman smiled and stood up on his toes. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

With strength one wouldn't expect from their very trim figure, Naiyta pulled Roman up onto the stage. They stepped back to let him get his bearings, and looked over him. "You know, there are stairs in the back. You're the second person in a row not to realize that." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Even as Naiyta stepped back, Roman kept his hand around theirs. "Stairs in the back? Well, maybe I just preferred to get swept off my feet and watch your glorious muscles flex." Roman chuckled and lifted up Naiyta's hand to his mouth before placing a little kiss on it. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Trying to butter me up with simple compliments?" Naiyta said, almost mocking but almost playful. They took advantage of their proximity to Roman to cup his jaw in their hand. "Tell me. What do you require of me?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman's jaw felt smoot, he must have had a nice after shave in that blood dimension somewhere. "Oh, just a few things, my lord.. Some other contestants have listed some items that they would like to have returned. I said I would ask.." Roman said and leaned his head in further to Naiyta's hand. "Of course, you'd get something in return. I just want to ensure our guests here are enjoying their stay as much as possible." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta hummed, their low voice gravelly and rolling. "Ah... the things we chose to let contestants keep were very deliberately chosen. I hope you're not suggesting I made a mistake." They tilted their head slightly to the side. "What, exactly, are you asking for?" They leaned slightly closer to Roman, "And what would I gain in return?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Oh no, not a mistake. Just an addendum is needed, perhaps. Ryunoske has asked for a very specific kind of cigarette, and Darcy for his glasses to be returned." Roman said. Roman would have usually moved in closer, but he instead teasingly moved back. "And what is in it for you? Well, my usual clients have some rules about what I'm alright with, but I could think about loosening those up for you." Roman said. "My body can handle quite a lot of things." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

If Roman moved too far back, he'd risk falling off the stage entirely. "Hmmmm..... how very predictable, and how very, very boring." They sighed. "I'll consider it. Though, I'll admit, it's more enjoyable to see you all struggle and squirm..." It considered Roman's offer. "Hm. How long can you hold your breath?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

.. Well, Naiyta was right on to one of the things that were usually on Roman's list of things that would set him on to self defense mode.. Regardless of that, he just smiled on. "Oh, quite a while, my lord. That was one of Roque's favorites whenever she thought I was yapping too much." He chuckled. "But struggling and squirming is how most people like me, but you can get me there by any means necessary. I'm easy to throw around." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Oh, I don't doubt it. You had better serve me well, if gaining those items is want you want." Naiyta leaned even closer. "After the gala, come to the temple. I'll-" They apruptly paused, something in the corner of their eye catching their interest. "Hm. Wait a minute." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"The temple?" Roman hadn't been there yet, but hopefully he could find it in time.. he'd hate to stand up Naiyta. Roman turned his head to see what Naiyta was looking at, and leaned his body in closer. "What is it, my lord?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Someone is causing trouble with the hosts." Naiyta hissed. "Again." Without another word, it brushed past Roman, cutting straight across the dance floor for Reagan and Cansu. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman followed along with Naiyta's movements perfectly. "You are pretty good at this." Roman smiled. "Do you dance often?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta's movements were swift and sharp, sometimes harsh as it handled Roman, but fluid in dance. They were clearly still stressed about the Reagan situation. "Thank you." It replied idly. "I haven't danced seriously in quite some time, but I enjoyed it frequently during my reign." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman was trying his absolute best to keep up, but did stumble a few times. He was getting tired and hungry. "Your reign?" Roman asked, then tripped over Naiyta's feet for a moment before righting himself again. "Are you not reigning right now, right here?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

If Naiyta cared about Roman's stumbling, they didn't voice any annoyance. "My formal reign, I should say, about... eight thousand years ago. Though I am in power here, I am not technically the Regnant Lifebringer. That title belongs to my successor." They glanced towards Albanes, still lingering on the stage. (edited)

8:35 AM

@Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

'Eight thousand years??? innsjowhen

' "I see." Roman said, not seeing at all. "So that other lady has been the regnant one for like eight thousand years?? She doesn't really seem like it." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Oh, no. There have been six Lifebringers that reigned after I did. She's only the last in that lineage." Naiyta corrected. "But you don't need to worry about all those... politics and semantics." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Well, seven people across eight thousand years.. That was still a long time for each one. "Hm." Roman said. "How do you become the regnant lifebringer then? Does someone choose?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Some have chosen, some have been chosen. It really depends." Naiyta hummed. "My favorite of my successors gained her godhood by slaughtering her immediate predecessor. Very exciting." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

.. Even more surprising that there was an eight thousand year rule across seven people when you could literally kill one to get godhood.. "That does sound the most exciting.. So if you kill the regnant lifebringer, you become it? Or do you still have to be chosen after that?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Not exactly. You have to kill the previous host in... a very specific way. There are certain things you must keep intact for the power to be properly transferred." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Oh, Roman really wanted to ask what those 'specific ways' were, but that would make it too obvious what he was thinking, wouldn't it? "Fascinating." Roman finally decided on. "So if you don't do it right, something else chooses a new person?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Essentially, yes." Naiyta nodded. "Forming some clever ideas, are you? Don't interfere with my plans. It's... a bit too early to have another Lifebringer so soon," They hummed, "And you can't kill her here, anyways." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Well, seems like it was on to him anyway. Also not surprising. "I was just making conversation, figured I should know more about your whole deal before we hit up the temple." Roman chuckled. "And I have learned some things! I think our powers are kinda similar- well- on like a metaphoric kind of way." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Hmm..." Naiyta hummed, and pulled Roman through a sharp turn. "Really? You think we are similar? Elaborate." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman definitely tripped again here, this time needing to basically pull himself back up to his feet. He wasn't used to these sandals. "Well- yours is better, obviously." Roman led with. "But to get these powers, you need to be chosen too. Roque created them, but she choose me to inherit them next. You gotta kill someone to start the process, someone you care about. Or at least that's what she told me, anyway. She killed her best friend or ex boyfriend or whatever he was to start that process." "She also said that the powers will make you immortal and basically invincible for as long as you have them.. But I don't think she actually knew that for sure, she had no reference point." "Her powers could also heal, mostly herself, but she never got to teach me that part before she died." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta listened intently, though it was hard to tell if they actually cared about anything Roman was saying. "Interesting..." It hummed. "So you are only the second in your lineage? That's quite an interesting way to gain powers... who did you kill?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

'I should've guessed it would ask that..' "Mm, no one too exciting." Roman shrugged. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Really? I thought you said you had to kill someone you cared for?" Naiyta pressed on. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"..." Roman just kept dancing for a few seconds. ".. I don't want to talk about it, my lord. It's not something to be talked about on a night as pleasant as this, I promise." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Hm. Very well." Naiyta shrugged. "What more pleasant subject of conversation would you prefer?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Oh thank God, literally.. "Hmmm.. How did you pick those fights? Aaaaand I thought I wasn't fighting, but then at the very end you snuck me in with Ryu.." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I chose what I thought would be most interesting to watch." Naiyta shrugged. "Oh? What gave you the impression you weren't competing?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

'

' "Um- well, Kairas said I was here to be an escort and it doesn't seem like anyone else has a job who is also competing so I kinda just.. assumed.." Roman mumbled. "So I am fighting..?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Did she? Well- that certainly isn't the truth." Naiyta laughed. They didn't seem... too upset about one of their side leaders spreading blatant lies to the contestants. "You are fighting, yes. Your opponent is Ryunoske." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

... Well, Ryu was one of very few people Roman had any semblance of an advantage over now that he had her blood, but.. He was nowhere near ready to exert his control over others yet, he had never succeeded at it.. He tripped again, this time stumbling down to one knee before pulling himself back up. "A-and what happens if I am to lose here..?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta kept dancing at a relentless pace, not caring that Roman was tripping and stumbling. "You'll die. Same as the rest of everyone here." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Yeah, Roman couldn't keep up anymore. He stumbled for one last time, this time falling all the way to the floor and hitting his hip a bit harshly. He winced for just a moment and put his hand over the injury. With wide eyes, he stared up at Naiyta. "No. I can't die here. Not until I can kill Petrai. Please." he begged. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta finally stopped as Roman fell, and looked down upon him with a stoic expression. "You can, and you will, unless you can win." It said simply. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"But I can't win, look at me, I can hardly live!" Roman exclaimed, somewhat loudly. "Ryu is a giant jacked lady in the Yakuza who hates me, she could probably think of a way to kill me with one finger!" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Then you'll die. This really isn't that complicated of a concept." Naiyta shrugged, and crossed their arms over their chest. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Please just- change my opponent or- l-let me work for you like Kairas, I can't do this fight. I'll be a good worker, I promise." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"And why would I do that? What could you offer to me that I need? You're more useful to me as a contestant than a worker." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I-i can- I can keep track of people with my powers, I can control people, I can store things in a place no one can access but me, I.. I was already going around telling people that I'm here to serve them, and I could keep it up. I'm good at that." "I just can't die before I kill Petrai. You can even kill me right after I get out of here and kill her, I wouldn't care.." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Do you think I'm stupid? The reason I chose the leaders I did is because they can track and control people. And they don't even have to drink people's blood for it." Naiyta scoffed. "No. You'll only be useful to me when you're dead. And you will die." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Not stupid, but evil? Definitely. "How long- how long do I have before my fight?" Roman asked. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I'm not telling you that." Naiyta said, a laugh in their voice. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Please, I.. I need some time." Roman continued to beg. "R-roque put a curse on me, if you won't let me kill Petrai, I at least need some time to break it.." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta lifted an eyebrow. "And what will happen if you don't?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"If I die before I can kill the person who killed her, I'll be forever sent to the lowest, deepest pits of the cursed realm to suffer forever. I-i know I'm probably already headed there but- only the upper areas, I'm sure.. This would be the absolute worst outcome possible." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta laughed. "Oh, you don't have to worry about that! When you die here, you'll be sent to the Immaterial Fold!" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"..." Roman blinked. "I-if I die here, I can't go to the cursed realm..? You're- absolutely positive?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Yes. I am certain. If you die within my domain, you are sent to my afterlife." Naiyta nodded. "I'd certainly hope you'd be, seeing as that's why I brought you here." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"A-and what's it like in there? There's no ghosts that torture you, right? Forever?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Well, you'll find out, won't you?" They laughed again. "There aren't any torture-ghosts. At least, there aren't supposed to be." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman scooted up to Naiyta's feet, still looking up at it. (Suicidal ideation TW) "Th-then you can kill me now! However you'd like- This is so much better than the alternative.. and easier. I've been waiting for an opportunity like this!" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Have patience. As much as I'd like to kill you now, I have a tournament to run." They graced Roman's jaw with their fingertips. "But your time will come. Don't worry." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman lifted his hand up and placed it on the back of Naiyta's on his jaw. "Please.. Living every single second is like torture. Everything hurts. There's nothing I can go back to." Roman said quietly. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"You don't need to waste breath convincing me to kill you." Naiyta said. "All you have to do is wait. You can forfeit your match entirely, give Ryu the victory. But begging and pleading is doing nothing but irritating me further." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

If he asked nicely, would Ryu be quick? She really didn't like him.. Roman just nodded, and took a deep breath. "A-alright.. are we still going to the temple after this..?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta tilted their head to the side, contemplating. "It depends. Are you still interested?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman nodded. "I would at least like those cigarettes. Darcy's glasses I'm less interested in.." Roman said. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Very well." Naiyta hummed. "Once the gala ends, go to the temple in the acropolis, at the very top of the mountain. One of my attendants will meet you there and bring you my chambers. Don't try to find them on your own- you'll only get lost." "Depending on how well you perform, I'll reward you accordingly." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Good, directions. "Temple at the acropolis, find an attendant. Got it." Roman said. "Should I do anything to prepare?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta glanced over Roman. "Come as you are now." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

So wearing basically nothing, to be expected. "I can do that." Roman said, and after a brief pause, "thank you." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Of course," Naiyta smiled, their voice low and rolling. "How could I refuse such an insistent offer?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman had a bit of a bad feeling about how this night would go, but mostly.. He felt an extreme weight taken off of him. No matter how badly this night went, his nightmare would be over soon enough.. Even if Naiyta went too far tonight, it didn't matter. Nothing mattered! Yay! The outcome was unavoidable, so he may as well have some fun while he can! Roman nodded and smiled up at Naiyta, though something about his expression was different than before. His smile finally met his eyes, and just a tad of his teeth was showing. "I imagine you could've easily refused, but I really appreciate you not. Thank you for bringing me here, you saved me." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I was always planning on having you dead," Naiyta hummed. "You don't have to thank me. All you have to do is do exactly as I say." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Seems like Roman had Naiyta had similar plans. Roman put his hands on the floor and pushed himself up to his feet. He held his arms behind his back, and there was a very slight tremble across his entire body. "I'm quite good at that, so don't worry.." Roman said. "Would it be possible to save some of the food here for after the temple? I would like to eat some, but I'll be pretty sick later if I eat now." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"The food?" Naiyta glanced absently towards the refectory. "The refectory is open through the night, with its normal fare- but if you wanted to keep put aside of the special food from the feast, that shouldn't be too much of a problem. I can allow it, for such an... enthusiastic competitor." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Enthusiastic about losing, maybe. "I'd like the nice food.. I haven't eaten anything good in ages." Roman said. "Usuallllly I'd put random stuff in my blood dimension, but y'know, it'll get all bloody.." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Of course. Is there anything in particular we should set aside for you?" Naiyta asked. "Anything you want to make sure you get a bite of?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Hah, a bite is probably all he could eat. "I'll take anything. I don't.. Really remember what a lot of that tastes like." Roman admitted. ".. I usually just eat rice, if I'm not getting enough blood." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Hm. Then, I'll have my attendants set out a little bit of all our finest dishes. You can try as many of them as you like. How does that sound?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"That would be great." Roman said and glanced over the food. "You.. Have healing powers, right? How strong are they?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I do have healing powers." Naiyta nodded. "I can repair virtually any wound that can be done to a body. Here, in my own domain- my powers are even stronger. Is there something in particular you think needs my... attention?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Stronger than healing any wound? What did that entail? Roman poked his pointer fingers together and looked up at Naiyta. ".. Can you bring back... Organs? Or- hm.. How do I say this- can you remove curses if they are placed over a certain part of my body? Or is that not really healing magic..?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I can grow back organs. That's not difficult- I've done it more times than I can count." Naiyta hummed, a slight laugh in the back of their throat. "I've never meddled in curse removal, honestly. Always been a bit too... witchy for my interests. But just because I've never done it doesn't mean I can't try." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

.. Weird flex about regrowing organs all the time, but.. Good information to know. "There's only one curse that I think you'd have any chance at removing- the other one is more like... My soul. But that one doesn't matter as much, I can just keep Roque's eyes safe in that pocket dimension and it doesn't bother me.. But the other one.." Roman moved his hand away, and rubbed at the back of his neck with his right hand. ".. It's kinda.. Embarrassing.." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Mhm. Souls are... more fickle than bodies." Naiyta agreed, then tilted their head to the side. "I can't heal something if you won't tell me about it. Go on." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Well, if Naiyta liked to watch Roman squirm, he sure was doing it now. He shifted back and forth on his feet for a few moments before leaning toward Naiyta and saying quietly, (NSFW..) "Well, back when Roque was still alive, she didn't really want me to be running off with other girls when she wasn't around- and let me preface I did agree to it at the time I thought that was kind of hot but now it's just got really annoying- so she.. Hm. Urgh- my dick only works right when she's around, and since she's dead, that can't happen at all. So it's embarrassing, but usually not a giant issue.. Since I'm basically always bottom clients don't usually care." He leaned back again and crossed his arms over his chest, a slight darkened blush on his cheeks. "So do you think you.. Can do anything about it..? It's blood magic, and I can't even figure it out. I've tried." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta's eyes widened in surprise and interest as Roman explained his plight. "Oh, my, that is quite a problem. We can't have you unable to perform, can we?" Taking advantage of Roman's proximity to them, they traced a line down his bare chest. "I'll see what I can do." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Hey I can perform just fine in the way people usually want me to-" Roman slightly huffed, but paused as Naiyta's finger moved down his chest. "Mm- honestly that is less of a priority than getting my stomach back. That's the main thing but- I know I've made a lot of requests tonight. I'd just like to live out my last little bit in.. More comfort than I've had." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta paused in thought for a moment. "I'll consider it. Again- this depends on how well you do tonight- I'm not in the mind to be giving out favors to contestants who don't intend on giving me anything in return." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I'll give you whatever man-" Roman said. Probably a mistake to say that but.. "I'll be there. Promise. Later. As I am." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

By the look in Naiyta's eyes, it was definitely a mistake to say that. They leaned in close to Roman, and whispered, "Perfect." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman stayed in place as Naiyta moved in, and just took in a deep breath. One more night of service. Then if he was good enough, he'd live out his remaining time in less pain. And then he'd die, and he would be in an afterlife that wasn't nearly as bad as what Roque had sentenced him to.. He really had nothing left to lose, even if Naiyta decided what it really wanted was his life right there. "Mhm." Roman said and finally took a step back from it. "The temple after the gala. Find an attendant. I'll be there." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta stepped back. "I'll see you there. Don't keep me waiting too long." They winked, though even that had a stiff air of malice behind it. "I hope you enjoy the rest of your night, Roman." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I'll try." Roman nodded and finally fully stepped away from the Lifebringer. ... he'd have a hard time just enjoying the festivities now. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs