duel 12. ( video )

[puzzlingly]

「Here is this kid, apparently walking around the city outskirts as he broadcasts like dem cool vloggers do. The background behind him is impressive: the sky and the patches of snow and little purple grass here and there, the mountains very far behind him making it look like some kind of winter wonderland—it all goes perfectly together with the very small clouds that take shape from Atem's breathing. But, there is something off about this picture... Let's make a review:

☆ Gravity defying hair, check
☆ Insolent smirk, check
☆ Tank top, check...?
☆ No visible jacket...? Huh, check...

That's it... You can bet he is dressed just as ever no puzzle without looking cold at all, either he's being an idiot, or something else is going on.」

Hey, everyone, Atem here. I was wondering if anyone here could make a pet door. In exchange I could imbue your clothes against the cold.

「Ah...」

Actually, if anyone would want that just ask. Let me know on both counts, thanks!

「And he's out.」

Comments

[puzzlingly]

I'm sure you'll see her sooner or later, she likes being scratched behind her ears.

I like being to hold things properly though... I'll see what I can do. Meanwhile, I could etch his collar with the enchantment and keep him mostly warm.

Heh, at least we don't need to worry about cars. 「Trying to be positive here! It's not really working!」 Did you save enough food?

[am_i_a_monster]

Winston does too.  Maybe it's a dog thing.

You can't hold anything if you lose your fingers.  Or learn to play harpsichord.   I might have a pair of hunting gloves that will fit you.  I'll take a look.   The collar would be great!  I'm curious to see if he'll like playing in the snow.

Yeah, trying to do a whole road would be hard.   I think so?   It depends on how long it takes to figure out gathering food here.   And if the gods are gone for good this time.

[puzzlingly]

Ah, thanks... How different are they from normal gloves? 「They do sound cool though...」

Don't worry, I'm sure we'll be fine. 「If things like the Null don't come around...」

[am_i_a_monster]

Hunting gloves are designed for dexterity. Some of them have flip-back thumb and fingers. They can repel water, mud, blood, snow. They're maybe not as warm as other mitts, but if you can magic them - they should be good, right?

Yeah, we'll find ways to live here. We have to.

[puzzlingly]

They sound too good to let go of them, you should keep them if you have a spare pair.

Do you ever go out hunting, though?

[am_i_a_monster]

You need warm hands too.

I did on the islands and back home. I haven't been out hunting here in coldville yet.

[puzzlingly]

Alright, only if you don't need them.

How did you do it?

[am_i_a_monster]

[She gives him a smile.] Good.

With a bow and arrow. I had a rifle back home, but it's not here. I miss it.

[puzzlingly]

Really? Didn't know you could do that! Or that you even had a bow!

「He shouldn't sound so excited, but he is.」

I used to go hunting too, not now, I mean back then. It's been so long... Can I come with you someday?

「He promises to behave!」

[am_i_a_monster]

I've been hunting since I learned to walk. My bow's a really good one. Look!

[There's video of her walking to her room and then she holds up her bow and arrows.]

Of course you can. I'd really like the company.

[puzzlingly]

「She's like a little kid showing off her priced toys, Atem can only smile.」

Do you think you teach me? 「Or, remind him how to hold a bow at all.」 Maybe now those hunting gloves won't be wasted after all.

[am_i_a_monster]

[She smiles proudly.]

Sure I can teach you how to track, use the bow, field dress an animal, how to use every part, best ways to transport a carcass, anything.

That's good. Nothing should ever be wasted. We can help feed everyone if the gods don't come back.

[puzzlingly]

「Why did he thought all this time that she was completely defenseless? She's way more prepared than he ever was!」

That's... amazing, Lilly.

「And he is proud of her.」

Do you hunt alone or Winston helps you? I don't suppose I ever told you I used to have hunting cheetahs, did I? They could be so useful here, if it weren't so cold. Hawks too.

「Ah, the old days... He probably sounds like an old man whenever he brings things up. Well, he sort of is.」

[am_i_a_monster]

[She smiles even wider.]

Thanks.

I hunt alone.  Winston's not really a hunting dog.   He's a great dog for companionship though.  Wait..what's a hunting cheetah?  Actual cheetahs?  How did you keep up with them?  How'd you keep them from making you their dinner?   And hawks too?  How'd that work?

[puzzlingly]

Yeah, actual cheetahs. We, well, people trained them to hunt gazelles. We would just basically watch and retrieve from them whatever they got. And, in truth, they were mostly docile as long as you kept them well feed. Watching them hunt was quite the sight to behold. Hawks though, I believe people still do that in these times, falconry I think they call it. I never quite hunted for necessity, it was mostly a way to pass the time. Though, many of my people did make their living out of hunting prey. I guess it must be hard.

「In retrospection, he truly had an easy life...」

[am_i_a_monster]

That must have been cool to watch.  [At least, at first.  After a while, she figures it'd be boring, and maybe even make her feel powerless if she had to rely on cheetahs and hawks for her meals.]

It was hard, especially my first time hunting and especially after my dad quit his job.  [She frowns at the memory.  Her father forcing her to kill the deer and the creepy things he said afterwards.  She lets the frown fade, focusing on her happier memories of hunting.]   It was rewarding too, though.   There's something special about getting your own food.  And knowing the animal didn't suffer and wasn't wasted.   We used every single part of our kills back home.   We can do that here too.  I'll find a way.

[puzzlingly]

It wasn't bad at all. 「It was definitely boring after a while, he was far too young to appreciate it.」 Though, I preferred playing with the hawk...

「He gives her a bit of a shy smile.」

I'm certain you will. 「He makes a bit of a thoughtful pause.」 Despite it all... he taught you so much, didn't he?

[am_i_a_monster]

What kind of playing does a hawk do?  [She smirks.]  I guess they'd be good at fetch.

He did.   He was a good dad..until he wasn't.   And maybe what happened couldn't be stopped.   After all.. [She stops herself from saying more about what she learned from the memory event.  It's not for a public discussion.]

[puzzlingly]

Yeah, that's it. I always gave them too many treats, I guess that had something to do with it. 「Terrible hunter, this one.

He gives her a little nod, his situation is nothing like hers but he still understands somehow.」

Sounds like my uncle... Did I ever tell you about him?

「He's shared that with a few people but it's hard to keep track of it.」 

[am_i_a_monster]

You did once, a long time ago.   You said that he wanted what was best.  He did a lot of bad things, that it cost people their lives, even your dad's in a way.  You said that darkness changed him and that you wanted not to love him but you still loved him.   

[She pauses.] 

It's kind of like me and my dad.

[puzzlingly]

Yeah... He reminded me of him too.

「Good, she gets it.」

Love can really be a dangerous thing.

「He's said it before, but he's been realizing it more and more lately.」

Anyway, 「Let's not get too grim here, he attempts to give her a small smile.」 When do you wanna meet?

[am_i_a_monster]

More than dangerous.  Love is deadly.  [She opens her mouth, about to tell him about what she'd seen Hannibal do in Will's memory, then stops herself.]

I like to go hunting first thing in the morning.  Is tomorrow morning okay?

[puzzlingly]

It is.

「He notices the pause, curiously, but he will not pressure her. The least she wants is to put her in a difficult position.」 

You know you can tell me anything, right?

「She doesn't have to, but the offer is there.」

[am_i_a_monster]

Cool.

[She nods and switches to a private video.]

You know people could see other people's memories?   I saw one of Will's memories.   He's from a different time than me, so it was a memory of something that hadn't happened yet for me.    Something that will happen if I ever go back to my world.

[She blinks back a few tears.]

I saw my death.

[puzzlingly]

「Oh... he remembers that alright, still struggling from some of the thing he saw and some of what people saw of him. Just yet another thing to add towards his dislike for the so called gods. No matter how much he tries, they keep managing to outdo themselves with worse and worse ideas to get emotions out of them.」

I'm sorry...

「Everybody dies, but sometimes the way one leaves matters... He can only assume it wasn't a good one.」