[ video ] ► one

[unorthodoxies]

[ Apparently, the screen of the Forge makes for a good cosmetic mirror. The star of the video feed primps their hair, working volume back into the blond mass of curls, bats their eyelashes, and inspects the thin line of a gash that graces the right side of their face with a careful brush of lacquered fingernails. Defined bone structure, full lips,

Comments

video;

[fivepetals]

[ oh...! someone new, she gives a small wave. ]

I haven't seen anyone who matches that description--

[ a slight pause and then: ] What are Malboro Reds?

video; 1/2

[unorthodoxies]

[ Eyebrow raise. ]

Smokes. Cigs. Rat poison, it's likely.

You sure you've never heard of Reds, babe? I'm not half as charming when I don't have my brand.

[ A sigh. ]

video;

[unorthodoxies]

Looks like I'm gonna have to find that asshole myself, then.

video;

[fivepetals]

Oh, did he upset you Miss?

[ insert a healthy amount of stuttering here ]

Babe? That's not-- I'm Hinamori. Momo Hinamori.

[ . . . ]

I'm afraid I don't understand what you mean. You can find just about anything in the marketplace so-- there's a chance that you could find some... rat poison there?

Video

[onequarter]

Those "Marlboro Reds" are smoking sticks, correct?

Video

[unorthodoxies]

Damn straight.

You know where I can find 'em, hon?

Video

[onequarter]

They are difficult to come by. A man I knew went so fad as to offer his body for them. Beren's Found Goods may have a pack. Or the Undercity caters to every vice.

Video

[unorthodoxies]

[ A low whistle. ]

His body, huh.

[ ...Benten so totally isn't beyond that. And with cigarettes currently holding the status of 'rare commodity', he either has to take extreme measures, or get the hell out of this city.

Hm. ]

Think I like the sound of the Undercity better. Sounds all warm an' cozy, just like home. Where can I find it?

[alldevouring]

[Blood? Excuse Hotaru, she'll be forgetting everything you say and focus on that.]

Oh, no! You're not hurt, too, are you?

[unorthodoxies]

Hurt? Me? No, not a chance, girlie.

[ Sure, he had been, but the vast majority of his injuries have long since healed themselves. ]

So there's no need to frown, all right?

oh right. video;

[alldevouring]

[This only causes Hotaru to frown deeper -- now she realizes what he means.]

O- oh. I think most people come here alone.

video;

[unorthodoxies]

[ Wait - what did he say wrong? Man, this is why he hates kids. And such a cute little thing has no business frowning, in the first place. ]

So I've gathered. Suits me just fine, though. Being alone, that is. Can't be slowed down by anyone else, that way.

[video] <3

[reddenedrage]

[ Kay, bitch, he likes the mouth on you, but that's about all. ]

No one wants to see that much of you, skank. Don't broadcast when you want to whore yourself out.

[video] oh, you. ♥

[unorthodoxies]

Watch who you're callin' a skank, little boy. If you can't appreciate beauty, your balls probably ain't even dropped yet.

[ And if that's the case, Benten certainly has no business with you. ]

[video]

[reddenedrage]

I call it like I see it, bitch. And if you're beauty, I expect your customers balls' to shrivel up at the sight of you. Need some more paint to cake your face? That ugly underneath? Or that desperate.

[video]

[unorthodoxies]

Honey, if there's one thing I am, it ain't desperate. An' it sure as fuck ain't ugly, either.

But, if there's one thing you are, it's a v-i-r-g-i-n. A scrawny ass midget virgin with no one to warm his bed at night. Oh, boohoo. Take your jealousy somewhere else.

[ HAIRFLIP. ]

[video]

[tableflippin]

[Oh, a new face. A new, very, very gorgeous face at that.]

I haven't seen anyone matching that description, though that's probably a good thing in this place. Marbolo Reds are cigarettes, right? I saw a place in the market selling them when I went to buy a different pack for myself.

[video]

[unorthodoxies]

Ah, finally. I've been sent someone who's familiar with my vice.

[ Almost inquisitively, Benten leans in closer to the screen. ]

What brand, may I ask? A man's defined by what he smokes, or so they say.

[video]

[tableflippin]

They do? I wasn't aware. Well, they don't have the kind I smoked at my world, so I picked up two different packs for now. Parliament Blue and Bond Red. I think I'll pick up different packs next time. I like them, but they're not quite the same.

[video]

[unorthodoxies]

Parliament Blue and Bond Red, hm? Both of those are a gentleman's brand of poison.

[ A sultry grin. ]

I think I like your taste. Next time, perhaps, I'll see you there.

[ Is Benten a chainsmoker? Why yes, yes he is. ]