duel 11. video (cw: death or dying)

[puzzlingly]

「It's been a while since he's made a video post in which he looks actually serious, he doesn't look sad for a change, just thoughtful.

When he finally speaks he does it uncharacteristically (for him) quietly, even though, firm.」

How do you deal with loss?

When people leave this place or, when you know you will never see someone you care for again?
When they pass away.
Do you try to forget about them... or... 「No, that thought actually hurts.」

What is that helps you to move on?

「If they do at all.

This has been in his mind ever since Maedhros and Celebrimbor were gone, and even way before. He didn't knew them personally, but he could see how much pain their departure had caused — only one person had made him feel that way, but it wasn't Yugi who left, it was him. Atem left them all and he cannot help but wonder, was he the cause of grief among his loved ones, the ones that survived him when he decided to give up his life, and then when he had to move on from the world of the living a second time?

He doesn't wish to think so highly of himself, but it's hard, specially when all his life the world did use to revolve around him. But he worries about those he left behind, they would be fine, wouldn't they? Heh, if only they knew he hasn't moved on at all, that he still talks to his partner in his head all the time... What a little hypocrite.」


「private text: Kaiba Seto」

Mokuba is gone.

「But Atem is sure he already knows. He doesn't expect a reply.」

Comments

Video

[knifecollecting]

[Jo isn't looking at the camera, but she does start a video.]

Even if you want to forget, sometimes you can't. I want to remember. It's important to me. [But, the kid asked about moving on.]

Moving on takes time. And it's hard. You have to focus on who you still have.

Video

[puzzlingly]

「When he notices her not looking at the camera, out of respect, he does the same.」

Have you ever?

「Moved on, that's it.」

Video

[knifecollecting]

[Oh, uh. She didn't think he'd ask if she had managed it.]

You can't stay in the past forever. It doesn't work.

Video

[puzzlingly]

「Oh man, he's heard that one before too, but with much, much more anger in it.」

Heh, no, I guess not, but also... The past gives us purpose, you know? It is part of who we are.

Video

[knifecollecting]

I'm not saying forget the past. [That would be hypocritical. Jo thinks about her past a lot.]

But you can't just stay there. Life moves on and if you don't keep up there's trouble.

Video

[puzzlingly]

I wouldn't like to forget anyway. It's, not worth it.

「Sure, there was no pain, but there was nothing really.」

Have you ever found a balance?

「She seems pretty confident, maybe she knows something.」

Video

[knifecollecting]

I try to make 'em proud. [She falls silent for a moment, trying to figure out how to say it.]

I don't let the fact that they're not around stop me. That's what they would want.

Video

[puzzlingly]

「How do you know! Since, they are not around and whatnot... Eh, details.

But that's precisely what he did use to think when he lost his father, all he wanted was to make him proud, and... he really wishes that his friends, those he left behind just can move past it, he wants them to go on with their life, not that much make him proud, because no matter what they did, he'd be proud anyway. This was such a stupid, stupid question to make.」

You're right. I... am not sure why I forgot that.

「But he did, somehow. This place leaves a lot of time to think, that much is clear.」

Thank you --

「You.」

Video

[knifecollecting]

[Jo knows it can be easy to forget. She has.

She catches that pause and smiles softly. Whoops.]

I'm Jo. Glad I could help.

Video

[puzzlingly]

「He smiles back.」

I'm Atem.

「Surely he could have read that from the network names but, this is nicer.」

And, yeah, you did.

Video

[knifecollecting]

[Jo tends to introduce herself no matter what. She doesn't always check names on the network.]

I'll talk to you later. Good luck.