duel 6. ( video. )

[puzzlingly]

「He's been stalling on this for a while now, not sure of how to address it any longer, back then, when he first had learned about it, he was angry, frustrated, but now, not so much, he just wants answers. Might as well do this before there is more people coming into the city.

He looks thoughtful, mostly, as he stares idly at the camera not caring to hide the Millennium Eye stuck in his left socket as he did when they took pictures at Delmar's home. If everything went right, this would be the last time he would be seen wearing that creepy eye.」

Since everyone seems to be on the topic lately, I might as well remind you that there is a murderer among us. One that remains unpunished.

「Or so he thinks. He cannot keep wondering any longer, he needs to know. He needs to make sure there isn't someone running around killing people just because they think it's right. If that's the case.」

You, the one who killed Yukari, he might have deserved what you did to him, you made him pay for what he did, but you don't have my gratitude for it. Don't think you can hide forever. I will find you, no matter what it takes. And I will make you pay on his behalf.

「The tiredness in his voice, the aloofness in the way he speaks, the passion lacking in his usually prideful speech, doesn't quite make up for a good threat, maybe it's is not intended that way, but, it doesn't mean he's less determined about it. He will find them, he will read every person's mind in this city with the Millenium Eye if he has to. He can, why not simply do it?」

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[so_dark_a_road]

You care enough to kill Yukari's killer?

[ There is surprise in Curufin's voice. And yet, should he be surprised? Atem went out of his way to try to help Yukari, even accepted him as a vassal, when he might simply have left him to flounder, or to go his way until he encompassed his own destruction. And he took action to help Yukari reconcile with Curufin. That was not an uncaring action. ]

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[puzzlingly]

I never said I would kill them.

「Meanwhile, Atem's is, calm (tired). But it's true, he doesn't hate Yukari, he... he doesn't know what to make out of him anymore. But it is not all about him, it is about a murdered on the loose. Or so it seems.」

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[so_dark_a_road]

You said you would make them pay on Yukari's behalf?

[ Yes, he notices the fatigue. ]

Are you all right, Atem?

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[puzzlingly]

Heh... I said that, didn't I?

「Maybe he had spoken more than he intended.」

I am. 「Nah.」 Just doing what... I can.

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[so_dark_a_road]

Yes, you did.

[ And yes, he did. ]

No you're not all right. Hey, I have to listen to my relatives telling me they're all right when they're not. I have to listen to Yukari telling me he's all right when he's not! Don't think I'm going to be fooled by you. [ Snicker. ]

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[puzzlingly]

You offend me, I would never try to fool you.

「Oh, Curufin... He really likes your way of lecturing.」

You see right through me, Curufin, how do you do that?

「See him bluffing, he's good at that.」

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[so_dark_a_road]

[ Snort of laughter. ] No, certainly not.

[ Good thing. There's nothing so tedious as a lecturing friend, if his style is not congenial. Or maybe even if it is. ]

Experience. I've spent so much time reading others -- and, I hate to admit it, but evading being read myself!-- that I have acquired a knack for seeing through people.

[ Heh heh, clever Atem! ]

[puzzlingly]

Hmm, you'd be a great duelist with that ability.

「And he's still not talking about himself. Surely Curufin could see that perfectly and be free to call him on his bs at any moment.」

[so_dark_a_road]

I am.

[ Not modest, these Fëanorions! ]

[ Yep, he sees. ] But what is the matter, Atem? Because surely something is.

[puzzlingly]

「Nope, but also surely he has no idea what kind of duelist he means, it doesn't really matter. He digs the attitude anyway.

But Curufin asks and Atem can only stare at him before giving him a sad smile.」

It doesn't matter, there will always be something. Don't worry.

[so_dark_a_road]

[ And Curufin digs Atem's attitude, too, TBH. ]

[ But don't think those puppy eyes are going to get you out of this! ]

[ Softly. ] It matters to me. You're a friend. Whatever is troubling you, you know you can trust me. Even if I can't help, I can listen. I certainly owe you that much.

[puzzlingly]

「He appreciates that, but the wording calls his attention.」

Owe me?

「Whatever for?」

[so_dark_a_road]

Because you helped both me and Yukari.

[puzzlingly]

「Wait whaaaaaat?」

... I did?

「Okay yeah, he... well, he didn't know it would work!」

[so_dark_a_road]

You did.

[ Whether he knew it would work or not is irrelevant. It's the thought that counts! ]

Now, tell me what's the matter? Because you're really looking tired, and. . . that eye. . .?

[ Some Shakespeare character, hearing the sorrowful sighs of another, said, "I would not have such a heart in my breast for all the world!" But in this case, it should be, "I would not have such an Eye in my head for anything!! ]

[puzzlingly]

「Funny thing, it is not quite the Eye's fault alone, but its influence might be stronger.」

What about it?

[so_dark_a_road]

[ Curufin, of course, knows nothing about the Eye except what he remembers from the Dreamwalker event. ]

Maybe you can tell me? I'm not the one who has that thing stuck in my head, so I wouldn't know how it would affect you. But even if it's not the eye, then there is still something troubling you. Is it this responsibility you seem to be carrying, to find the murderer and figure out what to do?

[puzzlingly]

「Fine, he'll take the invitation. All of those are questions that have no easy answers.」

Not over the network.

Private video --> action

[so_dark_a_road]

[ Good enough! ]

Where shall I meet you, then?

[ He grabs his jacket and pulls it on, and starts out the door, phone still in his hand. ]

[puzzlingly]

「Hmm... Gods, he's so tired, he is comfortably sprawled on his couch while trying to catch the baddies...」

Where are you, I'll meet you half way.

private video --> action

[so_dark_a_road]

[ And you're not moving! Just stay on your couch. ]

I'm at home, in Delight's Housing, near the Library. But you don't have to exert yourself, Atem. I know you live in one of the Imported Houses, and that could be a couple of miles away. Just sit tight and I'll come and find you.

[ He has a swift lope, and he covers the miles easily. In twenty minutes, Atem will hear a sprightly knock on his door. ]

[puzzlingly]

「He's not gonna move until he knows where to go! But that does make him move okay!? Like a spring he pushes himself forward.」

W-wait...

「But he's gone! He doesn't have anything to offer visitors! Oops! The least he can do is get him a nice glass of water ready for when he gets there. Which he does.

When Curufin gets there he goes open the door and invites him in. It is, unfortunately, not any cooler in the inside as he's keeping his fiery salamander inside, right there in the middle of the living room (no worries, it's safe inside its fireproof cage).」

Hey. Make yourself at home.

[so_dark_a_road]

[ Curufin smiles at him and steps in. He did have a feeling that Atem was going to try to keep from playing host, but Curufin really didn't want to make him walk all the way across the city. Atem is not looking well enough for the exercise to do him any good right now.

He blinks in surprise when he sees the salamander. ]

Efficient indoor heating system? [ Grin. ]

[ He sits down in the living room and takes the glass of water with a nod of thanks. ] So, tell me whatever it was you were going to tell me. I'm all ears.

[puzzlingly]

「Atem follows close, and sits on the other end of the couch.」

It can be, it's nice to be around her during the hours without sun.

「Dear, he hates those miserable two hours, he prefers the heat even if unbearable at times, surely because of obvious reasons to this point, to Curufin, at least.」

I think this thing is starting to affect me. That's... all.

[so_dark_a_road]

She's your brazier -- how kind of her!

[ He likes the salamander. And yes, Curufin remembers from when he was a highway robber in Atem's world in the Dreamwalker event, how the other thieves and murderers had explained to him that the Pharaoh was an incarnation of Horus, the sky god, or an emanation of him, or at least closely associated with him. Furthermore, the sun and the moon belonged to Horus, were perhaps a part of him, but he was mostly identified with the sun. And this being so, naturally Atem wasn't going to have much affinity for the true night hours here on this strange planet. ]

[ Curufin takes a sip from the glass of water and contemplates Atem, listening, though Atem has been chary of words. ]

This thing. Do you mean simply that there is a murderer at large, and that's unsettling? Or do you mean that it is troubling you because being endowed with your powers, you feel obligated to do something about it?