Jerry Springer: My Best Friend Left Me-- Then I Died!

[vacationisalie.livejournal.com]

[The crowd roars it’s utter enthusiasm, stomping their feet erratically as a pasty old man with a bad case of blond hair dye takes to the stage, smiling and shaking hands as he goes. The chorus of "JERRY, JERRY, JERRY" is stopped eventually by the wave of his hands. Roxas crosses his arms and leans back in his seat, face completely and utterly sour.]

Welcome to the show! Today we have a very special guest with us; Axel, who brings a rather harrowing tale of how his best friend left him for another man.

[The crowd 'aww's in sympathy.]

But to jump right into it- Axel! Hello! So your best friend up and left you, that's the tale so far, right?

[Axel, who in contrast with Roxas looks more vindicated than anything, nods calmly a few times.]

That's exactly it, Jerry. And when you say best friend, I'm not even sure you understand the full extent of friendship here. We'd been through a whole lot together, you know?

[Quick to react as always, the audience hums in understanding; one daring character stands up to shout at the stage-] BROS BEFORE HO'S, MAN!

[Jerry is quick to hush him, eyes on the stage, always keener than keen to stir up what he can.]

Roxas, are we to take this to mean you don't value that kind of friendship?

It's not like that. Axel's just being stupid. [The crowd boo's, always ready to take a side. Roxas throws them a glare before Jerry urges him on, and-- is that piano music?]

I gave him my winner's stick. We were...well. [A small smile- which drops quite fast.] He didn't understand what it was like to know your Other is out there, waiting for you.

I had other places to be.

BROS BEFORE-

Shut up.

[The camera pans dramatically in on Axel's face, catching his reaction- his smirk tightens, and all the amusement drains from his eyes. This isn't as fun anymore.]

Maybe you should have kept your winners stick for Sora, then. [The crowd 'oooooh's loudly, and Jerry badly conceals a laugh by turning it into a cough at the last moment.]

[Apparently pleased with this reaction, Axel slumps back in his chair, arms crossed and expression almost as sour as Roxas'.]

[On the contrary, Roxas looks just about ready to set the camera man on fire and stuff that stupid wig down Jerry's throat. But ever so calmly, leaning towards Axel as if he's about to tell a secret-] I've given Sora lots of things.

Much better than my Winner's Stick.

[The crowd gasps, shouting out in utter turmoil. And in the midst of it, Roxas simply crosses on leg over the other, leaning away with a small smirk.]

[Jerry's aforementioned keen eyes zero on Axel's fingers and the way they're currently digging into that nice leather chair he's sitting on. That kind of chair doesn't come cheap.]

[For a moment it looks as though Axel's just going to ignore it, let Roxas have his little jab- but it's only two seconds before Jerry's mic is being grabbed by an audience member and pulled towards a gum-filled, jabbering mouth.]

Excuuuuuse me! Are you gunna let him talk to you like that, boy? Are you gunna let him treat you that away, after all you 'pparently been through?!

[That's all it takes for Axel to be out of the chair; security steps forward, ready to break something up- but they don't need to be. His most powerful weapon right now is words, and Axel knows it.]

You know what? You're assuming I care Roxas! Something I can't do, remember? Go share whatever the hell you want with whoever the hell you want- just don't expect me to be offering you any popsicles anytime soon.

You know what? Fine! [Roxas stands up, completely fed up with Axel's behavior-- and this stupid show.]   I bet there's better clock towers to sit on!
  
[Jerry, Jerry--...Jerry?]

[...Jerry?]

[Jer-- ah.]

[There you are.]



[[ooc: Your character has the unfortunate honor of playing the host of the show. Rile things up more, or settle them down-- it's up to you.]]

Comments

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

[Ami shows no signs of stopping the two. In fact, she's suddenly perched on the top of a chair, legs dangling and feet resting on the seat, chin supported by her hand. She's watching quite interestedly.]

[burnamotherdown.livejournal.com]

[Beaten down as he is, Axel still has no intention of giving up- nor cheating, no matter how tempting the idea of setting the handle of Roxas' bat on fire is. Ami said a clean fight, so that's what this will be.

His empty hand feels awkward and clunky, so Axel grips the bat with two hands, swinging out blindly from under Roxas' flurry of blows- he ducks and aims low, hoping to avoid a couple of swings while he's at it.

Whap!

Right in the shin! 'What a tiny victory to be pleased over', screams every one of his bruises- but Axel doesn't really care. It feels good to get some of his anger out, so he keeps swinging.]

[vacationisalie.livejournal.com]

[Axel has no idea how to hold the bat properly- it is covered in foam, after all. Though it does smart slightly, Roxas simply narrows his eyes and adjusts his own grip- aiming to have the bat collide with Axel where the foam is weakest. Hitting with the very tip to ensure it scrapes along clothing and skin, leaving some lovely welts Axel is sure to feel later.]

[ BAPH! on the head. ]

[ BOP! to his shoulder. ]

[And in a small at of vengeance, a nice, clean WHOP! to the back of Axel's knees. In terms of experience, Axel is completely outmatched.]

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

[This isn't going as she'd hoped, and it might show in a certain sulkiness to her expression.]

Is that all you have, Axel? What about your anger? Is it that shallow?

[burnamotherdown.livejournal.com]

[Axel hisses in pain, moving away from Roxas and the offending bat as quickly as he can- which is difficult with his legs stinging like they are- and then he's turning on Ami, arms splayed wide.]

Why don't you come here and show me how it's done? Huh?!

[He's so angry- both with himself for letting this stupidity carry on and with Roxas, for- well, for beating him up with damn foam bat. Even with Ami, for egging him on like this. He almost feels manipulated. Ironic, that.]

What do you care, anyway? What- [He grips the Struggle bat tightly, digging his nails into the handle and turning his head down.]

What am I doing?

[All of a sudden, this just seems so pointless.]

[vacationisalie.livejournal.com]

[Roxas takes the moment to his advantage, kicking his foot out and sweeping Axel completely off his feet. The other hits the floor with a loud bang, until the only sound is Roxas' harsh breath.]

What are you doing? Because you know, I thought you wanted to meet in the next life.

[Roxas clenches his fists. He's too afraid to admit it; too afraid to say he's scared. And he keeps his eyes away from Axel, in case they decide to betray him too.]

Was I wrong? Or...

Or is Sora the only one who matters to you too?

[Just like everybody else he's had to deal with, in his small, sordid little life.]

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

[It speaks to the strife and discord she wants to sow to note that she changes her tone now, speaks to Roxas now. The words are levelly spoken, which somehow only increases the bitterness. It's a certainty and finality born of experience, born of searching and born of disappointment in those searches.]

There is always someone fools are led to believe is more important than anything else. That they'll throw everything else away for. That they'll excuse everything for.

Even the worst things.