Deadman Wonderland: Vegas - IC Thread

[Dawscombine]

Zach spent a good, long while in the lounge researching the same match over and over with a pad and pencil, writing down every move he saw that he could conceivably do. It was a long and arduous process that involved lots and lots of rewinding and made many people upset due to his hogging of the TV to do so. However, most people didn't do anything about it. Only one that would was Anna, and he normally made sure to piss her off before he did this so she wouldn't go near him. Thankfully, he had gotten to that early, so he had the rest of the morning to finish up before he headed over to the Gym to try out some of the fancy stuff.

He was well known for his showboating antics, throwing himself off of anything he could to get a fist or a knee in from an unexpected angle. One of his more famous moments in recent times was when he gave someone a 20ft high flying DDT into a rock to finish a match. Most people had figured him out by now, but thats why he was doing this. To put new moves into his arsenal. The Tegu was well aware of what happened to fighters that relied on only a few tricks. They were well and truly disposed of long before they could take out more than three or four people. So he was getting an upgrade while he still could.

Once he had enough moves written down and diagrams showing how they went in the most basic of terms, he made his way to the gym. It was smaller than most gyms, but the ceilings were just high enough to practice the dangerous stuff and only clock your head in the roof 3 out of 4 times. If he tried any of the fancy footwork in his cell he'd probably end up with a split skull. He only ever really used two parts of the gym. The weights and the “gymnastics” area. Little more than a few safety mats in a corner, but it was enough to learn. He would be there for as long as it took, tossing himself off of, into, and away from the wall's until he figured out how to stick his landings in a way that would be both unpredictable and painful for whoever he was fighting at the time. He might not get too far today, but that was ok by him. Rome wasn't built in a day, after all.

[Salroka]

It seemed like a good night for many of the Deadmen, despite the fact they were in a place where each and every one of them knew they would die quite violently. Some of them chatted with each other, some worked out in the gym, some called it an early night, some even watched movies in the lounge once it emptied out. Komodo was also enjoying herself this night. Playing video games with Fire Skink seemed to let the normally angry and hostile woman to open up a bit. "... so then the guy played it off like nothing was wrong. Shit you not, he went about hauling the barrels to the truck with no fucking pants. Didn't. Even. Hesitate. I can't make this up." Fire Skink, to her credit, tried to chuckle. Unfortunately, the pain from the extracted teeth proved a bit much. All she could manage was a smile and an occasional "Hmm." of satisfaction. Komodo understood, of course. Penalty Games were a bitch like that.

"Listen. Thanks for pla-..." as Komodo went to strike up a conversation after finishing an arcade mode runin one of her fighting games, she realized Fire Skink was leaning against the stone slab of Komodo's bed and completely asleep. With the stress of the fight and the trauma of another penalty game, it had all left the woman exhausted. In an uncharacteristically kind move, Komodo turned off the lamp on her shelf and turned the television volume down to almost nothing. She might have been one of the scariest competitors in the facility... but deep down she was every bit as human as anyone else. A bit more violent and with blood on her hands in both a literal and figurative sense, but human. The Deadmen might have been considered among society's worst of the worst, but they were all equals here when it was all boiled down.

Well... maybe not EQUALS...

In his office, T-Rex watched on the monitors as the Deadmen went about their business. Across from him sat Fist, one of the Undertakers. No words were spoken, and only a single item changed hands. What was it? Well, no one really knew save T-Rex and Fist. The exhange concluded, Fist left the boss man and headed back to his quarters. T-Rex smiled and moved a chess piece from one space to another before standing up. As he did so, names flickered on a screen nearby. Once they stopped flickering and settled on two specific names, T-Rex smiled and headed up a nearby flight of stairs to his private room. The warden of Deadman Wonderland's Las Vegas facility seemed to be in a good mood. This meant one of two things for the inmates... either they would have it easy for a bit, or they would feel his wrath quite soon. Only time would tell.

[Organis]

Either he was simply riding Gecko's train further, or he was actually even more delusional than she was. Whichever, she felt he went a bit overboard with the stuffed animal's personification. Still, she was glad the man didn't seem enraged by her intrusion, or was at least skilled at hiding it. He did, however, appear annoyed, ending the antics early so he could invest back into the television. Gecko sighed. For such a place the inmates sure were growing increasingly boring...or had it always been this way and that only her perspective had changed?

It was amusing how Salamander addressed the nature of the facility and its prisoners as if he were the veteran and she the newcomer, but she supposed his claim was obviously true and didn't require much time nor experience to figure out. She was nevertheless disappointed with the lack of elaboration, but it could not really be helped as he was not in the mood to chat. Eager to spout out something along the lines of "Takes one to know one," Gecko restrained herself, figuring that she might as well make use of her accepted presence. She comfortably yet eerily hung eerily against the doorway and silently watched the movie along with him, as bored as she often was during injury recovery weeks. Along the way she contemplated if she was becoming more submissive and/or polite than in the past, and questioned if it was maybe because status and prestige mattered less and less to her.

[Kiro Akira]

The Salamander un-paused the movie seeing they didn't speak anything else and shrugged. It was an odd point that someone had came to his cell to speak to him. Nobody ever really 'wanted to talk' or most of them didn't. A lot of them really just wanted something in return and Aku was just waiting for that moment.

In a Deadman's Wonderland. It was always the same. People fought, people argued, events even unfolded in the cafeteria. They unfolded everywhere and thats what made it all so interesting here. He still didn't want to be here and hoped to one day get out of this god forsaken place. But he would have to wait for the right time.

Even tho he assumed the person would leave but he felt the presence behind him. With a short glance back he motioned at the half busted up bed and returned to his movie. "Can sit down if you want. Not much going on here. Surely Bunz wouldn't mind. And I don't really care either way. Great movie here by the way. They called it Wild Wild West. Got some neat points to it and theres a giant spider at the end."

He felt some of his anger fade away just talking about the movie, and hoped he didn't ruin it much for.... What was her name? He believed she was called Gecko or something similar to that. Aku could never remember. But he at least offered her to accompany him so that was the nicest thing he could do right?

[Iwazuma]

It felt like night. To be totally frank, if it weren't for the television and the occasional digital clock along the hallways and in the cells, Cobra would have no idea what time it actually was. He glanced up to the clock to wager his bet at the time. The red, blocky numbers read 9:37. He was close enough...though it depended on what season it was. He'd largely forgotten the days that passed. Had he been here ten months, or twelve? He had practically no way of knowing. Maybe one of the Undertakers would know...or that psycho doctor. Not that he'd ask any of them. That was a good way to get his ass kicked.

With the flick of his brush, Cobra put the final touch on his painting, and leaned back to examine his work. It wasn't perfect...he frowned as he criticized the painting internally. Yeah, he needed something else. But what? It almost felt like the artwork he made wasn't quite alive. With a sigh and a mutter, he took the canvas off the easel, affixing it to the wall where it started the day. An entire wall was adorned with similar works and blank canvases, always watching Cobra whenever he was in his room. Taunting him. Reminding him that he just wasn't perfect, no matter how hard he tried.

Cobra spat at the paintings. He had had enough antagonizing for one day. He exited his cell for one more time, noticing that activity was beginning to wind down a little bit. He sighed and leaned against the wall, glancing over to Komodo's cell. Things had gotten quiet, though he could still see the fiery-tempered woman staring at the screen. He shook his head, a wry smile on his face. Some things would never change. He watched various inmates return to their cells, beginning to wind down the day in preparation for another slog tomorrow. At least they could sleep with the knowledge that they would not be fighting the next day; it was incredibly rare to have back to back matches, unless there was a holiday or T-Rex was feeling particularly ornery. He still remembered having to fight two days in a row right around the Christmas Jamboree...that had been quite the endurance test.

With even people-watching growing boring, Cobra retired to his cell one more time, hearing the soft beeping of his collar indicating his time was running close to its end. He moved to the wall of paintings, reaching behind an unfinished one and producing a hidden pouch. He had to be careful with these; who knew if one of the more deranged or desperate Deadmen would break into his cell and steal his lifeblood? He glanced in the pouch, counting exactly thirteen gummies contained within the plain blue denim pouch. He had a few more stashed elsewhere, but he debated spending his next win on a few more. Just in case he spotted somebody who needed a favor done. He opened his mouth and swallowed the gummy whole, wincing as he did so. Even when you didn't chew, the damn things still tasted like melted rubber. But at least the collar's beeping had subsided.

He flopped onto his hard bed, pulling the sheets up around him. He had upgraded from the dirty rags the prison gave them to a modest red bedspread and pillowcase, but had done nothing to improve upon the practically stone mattress he had. That was a luxury he didn't want to splurge on just yet...after all, one never knew when a loss would sneak up on you and a penalty game had to be avoided. Cobra knew he was due for one...Komodo had only just had her first, leaving him with Deadman Wonderland's highest win streak. He was definitely due. But that was something to worry about...tomorrow.

[Salroka]

The next few days went about as expected, save for the fact there were no fights. A bit of a surprise, given the need for a steady supply of antidote gummies... but a welcome chance to relax for many Deadmen to relax. Komodo and Fire Skink had played video games a couple more times, as they both seemed to get along well enough after Skink's penalty game. Cobra hadn't done much to push Komodo's buttons, either. Even Box Turtle, Tegu, and Crocodile seemed to be a bit more subdued than normal. Gecko was her usual self, hard to read as ever. Honestly, Komodo was pretty happy with how the past week or so had gone. That was going to change quite soon, as nothing was peaceful for long in Deadman Wonderland.

Shortly after lunch, Komodo decided to be uncharacteristically charitable and brought her PS2 into the common room and hooked it up. A minute or so later, she was playing a street racing game. As expected, the language she directed toward the computer-controlled opponents between drinks of soda and chewing on cheap candies was rather colorful. "Oh, fuck you. No, how the fuck did you even do that?! Holy shit! Yeah! Kiss my ass, motherfucker!" ... and so on. Even despite the fact she was focused on the game, Komodo noticed someone walking up as their silhouette was reflected in the TV. She wasn't sure who it was, but she spoke to them anyway. "After this race, I can put something else in and we can play. If you want, I mean." However, before the race was finished, the PA system crackled to life and hamded down the announcement everyone knew was inevitable.

"Attention, Inmates of Deadman Wonderland. Your warden has just handed down the participants for the next iteration of the Corpse Carnival! Today's bloodbath will be courtesy of none other than Tegu and Crocodile! It's sure to be a great fight, so be sure to watch! And in other news, the commissary received a shipment this morning, so come get it while it lasts. That's it for the announcements, everyone! Peace!"

... fucking wonderful. Komodo hated Crocodile for killing a fellow Deadman in combat in one of his matches. Yeah, the penalty game killed them sometimes, but that wasn't the same as killing one of your own. An odd sentiment, coming from a woman who killed her family... but it was what it was. In response to the announcement, she rolled her eyes and shut off the game. "I'mma head to the commissary. You can play whatever." She had a surprising array of games despite being in prison. DBZ Budokai Tenkaichi 3, NFS Underground 1 and 2, Jak and Daxter, Xenosaga Ep1 and Ep2, Guilty Gear X2 Accent Core, Final Fantasy 7-10, and more. "You break my shit, I'll wreck your fucking world." With that, she stood up and sat the controller down on the couch.

[Kiro Akira]

Aku had been sitting a few feet away from the games and watched as Komodo and another played on the playstation. He wasn't too into the games and only enjoyed them here and there. His talent and focus was on a sketch pad in which he worked on a piece of art during everything. Three whole days into the drawing and Aku still felt as if he was miles away from being done.

The drawing was nothing more then a Salamander in a baron wasteland of a desert. The background was filled with details of a sky, a mountain range in the back and a hard cracked earth. The creature itself was made of multiple shades and casted a shadow of a dinosaur behind him. It may have not been much but he was going for the impression of such a small creature thinking of himself as something much larger.

When the PA system crackled Aku cringed at the sounds and looked up to the location of the sound. It was the same as usual when it came to life so abruptly. A Carnival game was coming up, tho Aku had hoped he wasn't going to be a part of the games this time he needed to gain more funds and win a few.

"Attention, Inmates of Deadman Wonderland. Your warden has just handed down the participants for the next iteration of the Corpse Carnival! Today's bloodbath will be courtesy of none other than Tegu and Crocodile! It's sure to be a great fight, so be sure to watch! And in other news, the commissary received a shipment this morning, so come get it while it lasts. That's it for the announcements, everyone! Peace!"

Aku thought the match up sounded rather ridiculous. A murderer against a man who in Aku's own eyes had done nothing wrong. But it wasn't his ass on the line and against Crocodile? He was sure that he would spin a fun round of the penalty games.

Salamander's thoughts were pulled away as he heard Komodo storm out yelling about breaking her things and stuff. Nobody was that stupid one would hope. But Aku could be easily surprised. None the less the games would commence soon enough and it would be an interesting fight. Surely Aku would be there to watch and enjoy. He just wasn't sure who to bet on for the win.

[Iwazuma]

The silhouette, as it happened, belonged to the other resident Corpse Carnival ruler, Cobra, who had spotted Komodo in perhaps one of the best moods she'd been in in a while. Perhaps it was finally time to cash in on that match she owed him. He was about to tap her shoulder when the announcement came over the intercom. He perked his head up to listen, his eyes widening a bit in surprise. So it wasn't going to be either of the headliners so soon. Tegu was...a bit of an odd choice after so long of a hiatus. An entire week off was unbecoming of Deadman Wonderland...was it Christmas or something?

However, Crocodile was a name that made Cobra think. Croc was one of the only inmates that had killed since his incarceration. He recalled that match...it had been a brutal beheading that quickly had the Aussie tied down and beaten unconscious before he 'went rogue' and slaughtered more...but as Cobra had seen it, it wasn't even a mistake. The look of epic glee on the 'vigilante's' face had proven Croc's mind had gone long before he ever got here. The warden was punishing Tegu for something...but for what?

Cobra briefly considered joining Komodo for a trip to the commissary, but decided against it. Last time they had gotten a shipment in was last week, and he had been a right asshole about the entire ordeal. There was no reason to be a jerk two weeks in a row...usually. He'd pick up some of the dregs later...or bully some newbie into sharing theirs. Either was an acceptable choice.

With Komodo gone, the PS2 was his, however briefly. Rifling through the stack of games she had brought, he ultimately decided on Tekken 4. He slid the disc into the drive and waited patiently for it to load, scribbling out a note for his rival whenever she decided to make a return. 'Care to give my ass a thorough seeing to?' He wasn't particularly good at Tekken, but Komodo probably didn't know that, and a series of wins for her would only keep her in a good mood. A happy Komodo was a happy Deadman Wonderland.

While he waited, he practiced quietly. He was decent with Steve Fox, but that was about as far as he usually got. An experienced gamer (and more importantly, the one with the most access) would surely blast him to smithereens. Regardless, he was all set for a fun afternoon where he and Komodo just happened to not be at each other's throats for once...and then he'd go watch Tegu get what he deserved. For some reason.