duel 9. video

[puzzlingly]

「There is this guy, finally showing his face on the network after like a month or so of chilling at Hope's temple. He smiles widely at the camera.」

Hey... What did I miss?

「How long has it even been...? Please don't say 3,000 years...」

Um, thanks for the umbrellas, by the way... to whoever did that. 「He pans the camera to the umbrella fort that someone made around him, it's got the most stylish umbrellas~

He manages to get out of there and then his face lights up like if it was Christmas Day.」

... Kaiba, guess what?! They are here! The Duel Disk pieces! You can finally put it together and stop being so moody! Thanks, Hope!

「He shows them to the camera as well, a bunch of electronic little pieces scattered here and there on Hope's altar, he picks up one gently and examines it, yep, he has no idea what it does. Any other day he would have just skipped this and go look for his friend privately, but this is way too cool to let it pass! Everyone has to know! Specially the moody part.」

Come on, come help me carry these so we can have that duel!


( ooc: coming out of meditative state will make this guy extra emotional to absolutely everything and might explode at the most stupid things, this will last a couple of days. take this is a blanket apology <3 )

Comments

[puzzlingly]

I'd encourage it.

「He cares not about this demon at all, (that's not true, it maddens him so), if he had that power, there is little doubt that he'd hesitate using it. Maybe that's why he might not be the best to rely on at the moment, or ever, about this topic, he's letting his dislike towards Caedra show and take over him. He is, fortunately or not, still very much human and he's still affected by that same darkness that affects them all.」

[whip_poor_will]

[While knowing that Atem is indeed a good person, even he is susceptible to taking grayer actions -- just as Ravine is. But she knows there are some underlying factors as well.]

And you are all right with that? That you would support such a decision?

[Atem is quite more moody now than usual, and that's saying something.]

[puzzlingly]

Why wouldn't I? It's hurt enough people just for fun!

「Said moodiness is not quite registered by him, he might feel a little different (like when he was 14 or so... so many emotions), but it's mostly all normal to him. It's showing though, that much is clear.」

How many more until someone has to step in?

[whip_poor_will]

So have the gods of this place, but I suppose that is somehow different.

[She isn't going to argue over the ethics of it, though. The gods do what they do because they need the power source. The demon does it for kicks. But does Atem put that together, or is it something more personal?]

She is already more restricted in ways that I am not. If no one else will handle it, then I can. Her kind do not fall under the same stipulations that prevents me from taking action.

[puzzlingly]

It is different.

「Even Rage, despite of her apparent carelessness about her events and disregard for others, she has to do it out of necessity. One has to wonder if he'd be more forgiving towards Caedra if her circumstances were different, but as far as he knows, they are not. He's not going show her any mercy.」

What has stopped you?

[whip_poor_will]

Figuring out whether the loophole is a viable option so that I do not end up like her, or something worse than that.

[Atem has had a personal experience with that scenario. She hasn't elaborated much on the logistics of what killing a living thing would do to her, but the implications are always there.]

[puzzlingly]

You'd never be like her...

「A childish claim. Wishful, even.」

[whip_poor_will]

[It is wishful thinking. Ravine grimaces.]

I hurt you. The worst is always possible. I only have to be careful.

[puzzlingly]

You did, but you fixed it. That demon would never do anything to fix what it's done. You're capable of something it isn't.

「At least, he doesn't look at her directly when he says this, opting to take a look at his hand which is already bruising a little. It's nothing too bad, it was the reaction which was.」 

[whip_poor_will]

Perhaps.

[Who's to say one way or another? She has caught glimpses of Caedra and where she's come from, more than most ever would. Even if the demon were repelled by such an invasion of privacy, sometimes making use of knowledge is more powerful than any weapon.

[Ravine falls quiet for a moment, her attention drawn to Atem's bruise. She leans over to take his hand, getting a better look at it.]

You shouldn't hurt yourself like this. It is not productive and helps no one.

[puzzlingly]

It's nothing.

「In comparison to the stuff he's gone through, it should be nothing. It's been a long time since he's had an outburst like this.」

[whip_poor_will]

[She looks at him pointedly.]

That is not the point and you know it.

[puzzlingly]

What do you want me to say, Ravine?

「He the tries but fails to keep his time soft.」

I was mad. I am mad.

[whip_poor_will]

And I did not give you a part of me so you could needlessly bring harm to yourself.

[Oof, low blow and bringing out the guns.]

[puzzlingly]

「There is definitely a change in Atem's whole behaviour at that. If she had slapped him across the face, it would have been less painful. He seems to lean ever further on the wall, somehow even wishing it could swallow him whole.」

--orry...

「Well done, Ravine, he seems like he's about to cry.」

[whip_poor_will]

[Now you've gone and done it, Ravine.

[Her arms slip to her sides for a moment, saying nothing. Then she shakes her head, as if shaking the thoughts intruding her own out as well before stepping closer. Rather than leaning forward, she practically dips into a drinking bird pose in order to press her forehead to his, eyes closed.

[Most of the time, she is intangible. But she allows Atem to feel that she is here, as physical as she can make herself be in the same reality he is also in.]

I apologize. I should not have said that.

[Not when his emotions are somewhat compromised thanks to his meditation. Way to go, Hope.]

[puzzlingly]

「Somehow they seem to end up like this nowadays, don't they? His fault, of course. A lot of the tension he's carrying seems to dissipate a little when she reaches for him, even though it might be a little too late, his eyes feel wet already. He doesn't seem to care.」

No... You're right...

「He cannot really put his thoughts into words, about how he needs to stop doing this to himself, and others, the implications of his actions hurt too much to even try to explain.」

It won't happen again...

[whip_poor_will]

[It happens to the best of everyone. You have to be selfish sometimes; this is something even Ravine has embraced every now and then.

[This time, she chooses to be a little selfish without regret, if only for a friend.

[She pulls away just a little to look Atem in the eye, then draws a gloved hand over any tears that threaten to shed.]

I appreciate that. [She speaks softly.] I need you to be well.

[puzzlingly]

「It might be the first time he's ever heard someone telling him that to his face. He can only assume that some of his friends would probably want him to be well, but to hear it, it is a big deal. She always knows what to say to stop him on his tracks, or to actually make him think, it is not usual for him for people to do that to him, with some exceptions; it is usually him who goes around telling people how important they are, not the other way round.

In a normal day, having her say this would mean so much to him, but at the moment it is a little more than overwhelming. It feels somehow that some kind of insane expectation has been placed on his shoulders from just trying to stay well. He's not so naive when it comes to that, he's not such a hotheaded person as others could think, he doesn't go around life acting without thinking first, most of the time, that's it. And that would mean that he knows the consequences of the decisions he takes, perfectly, he knows he often ignores others in oder to get things his way, no matter if it's the best or most safe way to do it. He doesn't even need to go so far seeking for examples of his recklessness, he's already dead and not by accident. It was his choice.

Somehow, hanging out with Ravine must always lead him to that thought for one reason or another. Both of them being dead cannot possibly be the only thing that brings them together, is it?」

I'll... try...

「For her, only. He finally mutters, he's not sure he can make such promise he knows he cannot keep, which, of course, makes him feel even worse. He cannot bring himself to look directly at her.」

[whip_poor_will]

[Some things tend to go without saying; Ravine didn't need to say what she did, but she did. She can't just pull everything out of a person's head all the time -- that's just rude.

[Besides, he said he'll try. At the end of the day, that's all anyone can do, right?

[Ravine lowers her hand from Atem's face, straightening herself back upright.]

I shall hold you to that. No pressure, you know.

[He's probably one of the few things that really matter to her here. The last thing she wants is to see him miserable.]

[puzzlingly]

「Fortunately for Ravine, even this temporal condition that is affecting his emotions has a little advantage. By making him feel certain emotions so strongly, he cannot just dwell in one forever. When Ravine moves away, he finally has the gut to look up at her, his stare is not one of someone that's been hurt, but truly a grateful one. He's truly touched by her concern towards him.」

It's fine... 「He dries whatever wetness is left on his eyelids with the back of his hand. The unharmed one.」 Don't worry, I'll behave and won't go after demons anymore. I think I... did quite a lot of that already. I also have a very important duel coming soon — I gotta focus on that.

「Kaiba also needed him, in a way, right? He needs to be able to hold his cards after all. He's not gonna let something like a demon to ruin that.」

[whip_poor_will]

[Distractions are necessary sometimes. Welcome, even, when one such as Atem is drawn to such rash responses at the faintest prompt. The worst of it will ebb away, but it won't change who he is at his core, as someone who cares... and cares a little too much for his own good.]

If you do, call me. I have ways of dealing with monsters such as those.

But for now, try and concentrate on yourself, and your duel.

[It sounds funny referring to something two overly dramatic boys with trading cards as that, but she won't judge.]