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

[tenuousmorality]

[This has to be the stupidest thing that Jade's responded to in his life. Not because he doesn't think the kid has a reason to ask this.

Not that he thinks asking how to grieve is foolish.

But feeling the need to interfere in another person's life and impose his opinion upon them? That right there is extra stupid.

Oh well.

Atem's questions are answered by an aloof gentleman who chooses to keep his expression unreadable.]

Nothing will ever prepare you for the inevitability that you will not be able to enjoy the company of someone you care about. However, you have the choice to never talk about them again and pretend it doesn't affect you...

[Like him.]

...Or you can celebrate their memory in any way you see fit.

I'm afraid I wouldn't know much about that. However, you did ask, so there you are.

video

[puzzlingly]

It seems like the recurring answer.

[tenuousmorality]

Then that must mean it has some value by correlation. Or that we all collectively suffer the human condition of emotional attachment.

[Why does that sound sarcastic? Jade, please.]

[puzzlingly]

「He's too used to people use their anger or flippant attitude to hide something else that that's what Atem goes for.」

I suppose.

[tenuousmorality]

I imagine you're getting a myriad of interesting answers from everyone. Or are they really all being so uncreative as to use my ideas?

[His idea, sure. Well, it's not as if he's being absolutely 100% serious about that. He wasn't the first to respond, he's sure.]

[puzzlingly]

「What? What?」

You could just skim over.

[tenuousmorality]

Oh, you can do that? My my, please forgive me. I'm new to this kind of technology.

[It's absolutely not his fault that even though that is true...he always sounds like a smartass. Sorry kid.

Also he may be misrepresenting his knowledge just a little. Who knows?]

In the interest of remaining on topic, may I ask how you deal with loss?

[puzzlingly]

You'll get used to it, everyone was new at some moment.

Isn't that a little obvious?

「He doesn't.」

[tenuousmorality]

[Which is what Jade had assumed, but putting voice to assumptions is often a troublesome habit. He's smart enough to know when to choose his battles.]

Asking for perspective doesn't necessarily mean you've no idea how to cope. I thought better than to assume ignorance on your part. Hmm...well I hope you have received the answers you were seeking.

If not, there is always religion to turn to.

[Haha...sure.]

[puzzlingly]

「Call him ignorant once more, he dares you, he double dares you.」

Religion? In what sense?

[tenuousmorality]

Well, in the sense that religious sects often express that one should follow their scriptures for happiness, and that death is nothing to be feared as long as you are pious and without sin.

[Religion in his world basically sucks, actually. Or did, there's definitely some reforms going on.]

It's not entirely hard to use your belief system to cope with loss. If someone's gone, believe they're in a better place, even if they aren't dead. Any place is likely to be safer than here, unless you happen to live in some post-apocalyptic scenario.

[Is he wrong? Probably not. Does that sound cynical? Probably so.]

[puzzlingly]

「Unfortunately that only makes Atem laugh, a little more than bitterly. It's not up to this guy to know what's really going on here anyway, he's not gonna share with a total stranger.」

Sure. Better place and all. But no, at least there's is not post-apocalyptic scenario going on here. Silver linings and all that, right?