hadriel | duel 11. video (cw: death or dying)

「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.」

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Who have you been talking to?!

「Oh dear, that comes up with a little more flare than it should, his voice, mocking — he's met so many people who just absolutely hate this place. He, as he might be realizing, might be one of them.」

Are you royalty or something?

「He wouldn't be surprised in the slightest at this point.」

Just people, here and there. Maybe content isn't the right word for it. Resigned might be better.

[count her in as one who absolutely hates this place. the technology is primitive at best, there's nothing to do, she misses her friends and her boyfriend like crazy, and she wants to go home. even though she's not sure if she's alive or dead back there]

Descended from it. Bgztl abolished the monarchy about three hundred years ago, but mother can trace our lineage back about a thousand years.

Hmm... Yeah, that sounds more like it. 「Not that it makes it better at all.」

Why did they abolish it? 「–– okay that's something he's been wondering for a while now, maybe she can explain that a little better than, hey democracy is better (he's got some doubts about that...)」

And that's not right. No one should simply be resigned to living their life.

[she shrugs] They'd largely been figureheads for about a hundred years before then. They were allowed to keep their wealth, but the old ancestral homes were turned into museums. As for why? Most historians agree that the populace got tired of paying taxes for the upkeep of people who weren't really doing anything.

It happens, here specially.

「Damn that... is exactly what happened to him. The fact that his home was turned into a huge museum, hurts a little, but it's been a long time for him so...」

And you think the ones in charge actually do things now?

「Can't see the difference.」

But I don't want to be resigned to living.

[it's mostly strange to Tinya, to think that her ancestors were royalty. she's been to the museums that were her ancestors' homes and been impressed with the grandeur, but couldn't imagine herself living there]

Well, the entire planet is now ruled by Bgztlgov. We have a Prime Minister and Parliament that people vote on. People love to complain, but it's mostly that, complaining. And my mom still has a lot of influence and so did her parents.

「People voting on who would rule them (to call it in a way) might still be a little odd to hear, so much has changed in nothing but a blink to him. Some things were easier to get used to, others, not so much. The point of remembering his past was to know where to head to, but having remained behind, it sometimes feels like if he was dragging something heavy with him. It's fine, he just seems a little thoughtful about it than anything else, there is truly no point to get sad about it.」

As long as that works. 「And he gives a little shrug.」

[she shrugs back] It seems to? And Mother still has her power and position. So did her parents before her.

If they could see me, going with the Legion to fight and carrying on with a Rimborian, they'd fade into nothing.

[but as much as she fights it, she can't be a super-hero forever. and once she retires, she'll probably turn to the same sort of work her mother does. that's assuming she's not dead already, which she isn't quite sure about]

A Rimborian?

Yes. Jo--my boyfriend--is from Rimbor. Rimbor's considered a "disadvantaged world" [she makes the air quotes]. What government it has is blatantly corrupt, it's poor, it's crowded, and it's violent.

Jo joined up with the Emerald Dragons--that's a gang--at five. The only way he got out was getting powers and joining the Workforce.

How scandalous.

「He smirks a little, obviously teasing her a little.」

Like Romeo and Juliet.

「Or something.」

It was. I thought my mother was going to have a stroke when I told her I was dating him.

[she smirks back]

With a happier ending, I hope.

That bad? Was she okay though?

「Well, technically, Romeo and Juliet did get their happy ending... kind of. It's the rest who didn't. But he gets what she means.」

You mean, and they lived happily ever after? Isn't that a little cliché?

「That's not how life works, sadly.」

No. She thinks that Jo is trash and that I'm a fool for wasting my time on him.

[she's already afraid that she's dead, she doesn't want to even consider the possibility that Jo could be dead as well]

A little, but sometimes things do work out for the best.

[she'd like to believe it's true in their case]

She'll change her mind.

「Someday.」

Oh no, don't get me wrong, I think I may like cliches more than I'd like to admit. Happy endings it's what this place needs. I hope you get yours.

You think so?

[because her mother had seemed awfully firm in her opinion of Jo the last time they spoke.

she smiles] I hope I do, too. And I will. As soon as I get out of here.

「He gives a little nod.」

Yeah, just... more cliches but, you mother loves you and just wants the best for you. It's not about the family, it's not about what others would say, even if it seems like it. It's for you. When she understands you're happy with him, she'll change her mind.

「He sounds so sure about it, but the truth is, he doesn't know, he can only hope.」

[she sighs] I'd like to think so. She's very proud and she doesn't back down. [she smiles] Then again, the same could be said for me. And I am happy with Jo. Very happy.

[she's choosing to focus on that instead of the fact that she's probably dead in her world]

「Good choice.」

That should be all that matters.

[that's assuming she didn't die back home. she's not sure about that]

I think so. He has some rough edges. . . but a good heart.

It's what you liked about him didn't you?

Anyway, if there anything you need, let me know. I might not have super powers but I'll try my best, okay?

Yeah. [she giggles a little] That and the fact that he's really hot.

All right, I'll do that. Thank you.

duel 11. video (cw: death or dying)

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