the_campus | Masquerade Christmas Party!

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Masquerade Christmas Party!

[Likely to the surprise of most people, the lounge in the Campus has been re-purposed today. Anyone trying to come by has gotten blocked by some strange little girl (or boy), who wouldn't let them in no matter what. Now, near the end of the day, the doors are no longer guarded, and it's easy to see why just looking in.

With Jack and Mahad's help, Henry's decorated the lounge in a very masquerade-party-esque design, with masks hung at the door for anyone who didn't (or couldn't) bring their own, a lot of refreshments of all kinds (both modern and from his time in England), and some music he's managed to rig up through some things he found in the Campus. There's a Christmas tree sort of awkwardly pushed in the corner, with the main area of the room empty of everything for chatting or dancing while a few more comfortable chairs line the wall with the usual tables.

Henry himself might be hard to spot, because for once, that hair of his doesn't give him away. Thanks to Jack's help, it's been tied back and dyed completely black, with a mask and a simple silk outfit further hiding him; after all, it's very rare he's out of his armor, and his deck is safely hidden inside of his clothing.

At the moment, he's simply hovering near the edge of the room, watching everyone quietly and musingly.]

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...? [Color him curious. Ryou takes a peek into the masquerade room, but doesn't enter it. After all, he wasn't invited...

Those masks look pretty cool though, so he'll just hover outside the door and absentmindedly crowd watch.]

[Except a friendly hand is just going to be tugging him inside by his wrist.]

Why are you hanging around outside? Come on and have fun!

Ah! [He stumbles inside, looking around meekly.] Aniki, I haven't seen you in awhile.

[Ever since he put the Ring back on, he's been scarce. Right now it was hidden beneath his shirt, but the jingle of those prongs were likely evidence enough of its existence. At least his jacket hid any new scars he'd gotten, if there was any small mercy.

He forces a smile.] But I'm not sure...if I should be here. Nobody invited me, you know...

It's fine! It's an open party. Anyone who wants to can join in.

[Huh? That sound... And come to think of it, the other Ryou didn't have his bag. It couldn't be...]

[It's none of his business. It really isn't. But he's worried now.]

Uhm. Shoutei...? Please excuse me.

[Reaching out, he presses his hand to the other Ryou's chest, feeling the hard coldness of the ring through the fabric. Almost instantly he yanks his hand back as if he's been burnt.]

Shoutei... are you alright? What happened?!

A-aniki... [Seeing that hand come in, he thinks of running away, but what would be the point? It would be proof either way.

After all this time, he was found out so easily, and the way Aniki jerked back combined with look on his face only made Ryou feel guilty.]

I'm fine, really! I had a good reason for it... And I haven't had any black out since then, so I think...he's been sleeping again.

...

[A good reason, huh? After what happened with Lisa, he's not so sure. But it can't be undone now. It's kind of sad. He'd hoped the other him would be able to resist the Ring and live freely... but that can't be helped.]

I see...

[But his being negative won't help.]

Do you want to put on a mask? You don't have to, but it's kind of fun.

[Ryou's relieved when the subject is dropped, even if it's already affected his mood. He's uncertain now, if he made the right choice, and he feels bad for telling Aniki he would do whatever it took not to put on the Ring...only to do just that.

At least if he wears a mask, he doesn't have to worry about trying to look happy.]

Un! Why not? I thought they were pretty cool looking. [Walking over to the selection of masks, he picks his favourite--one of a kitsune--and puts it on.]

Edited 2013-12-24 18:32 (UTC)

[He approves of the choice. It's very symbolic. Really, it's a bizarre switch. Him without the ring, and the other one with it.

As long as the other spirit doesn't come out, he doesn't think it'll be too bad, though. So in an attempt to keep the other Ryou's mood up, he keeps talking about other things to distract him.]

It's pretty cool, isn't it? Though with us it's kind of hard to hide who we are. Uncle Jack wanted to dye my hair so I wouldn't be as recognizable, but I felt kind of awkward about it. Besides, dark hair really looks weird with our skin colour. I guess the mystery's only really which one of us is the one behind the mask, in the end.

[Ryou smiles brightly as he speaks, looking for all the word like nothing's troubling him.]

If somebody looks closely, they might notice our eyes are different colors too. Eheh, but I don't think that'll be a problem...

[Ryou glances around the room, but he doesn't recognize anybody. Unlike Aniki, he doesn't even have to fake a smile now that he has his whole face covered.]

But wow, I didn't realize this many people lived here...

A lot of people seem to keep to themselves, but there's plenty of them.

[Peering at him, he notes with curiosity that that's true. How weird... But those are pretty eyes, anyway.]

I don't know a lot of them myself.

I wonder why they were brought here?

[Sleep..., a voice echoes in his head.

The next moment Ryou turns away, chuckling quietly to himself.]

Maybe they're being punished! Aniki, did you do something bad?

I don't think so... But I had a theory that they brought me here because I have the Ring. Most of the people here tend to be dangerous, so it's possible.

But if you're asking that, you didn't do anything bad either, right?

Me? No... I mean, I guess I put all my friends into comas.

[He sounds totally cheery when he says it.] But you've done the same thing, right?

...eh?

[Ryou freezes. What the hell...? What kind of thing was that to say?!]

That... that wasn't me. I didn't do that.

Eheh..h-heh heh, yeah, I guess you're right--oh, hey! Where's your Ring, Aniki?

[Ryou reaches out and pokes his alternate self's chest a few times.]

[He recoils without a thought. That laugh... it chills him.]

Don't touch me!

[There's a note of fear in his voice. His already pale face is paler yet, eyes wide behind the mask. Dammit, this guy? Really? But right, he'd been asked a question.]

He... he's coming later. But he agreed to let me come on my own for the first couple of hours, so the Ring's in my dormitory.

[Oh no, has he been found out? Well, he wasn't trying very hard, to be fair. Bakura's red eyes narrow, his wicked grin hidden behind the kitsune mask.]

Ohh? He lets you go out without him? How foolishly trusting!

[He reaches out and suddenly grabs Ryou's arm, pulling him closer.] You really are my eternal master~ A comfy body like yours comes around only once every few millennia! Is that why you always come back to me? Maybe it's comfortable for you too, in a way, h-heh heh heh...or maybe you've finally become grateful for all that hard work I spent granting your wishes!

[MEEP.]

I-it isn't trusting! I can't get away from him anyway. So there's no point in just leaving the Ring behind. That's all it is!

[Tensing up, he stares into those dark eyes with some trepidation. Hadn't they been green before?

But why is he so afraid? Trying to logic it out, he reminds himself that he's in the same room as at least two people with swords who are definitely on his side. Logically, he shouldn't be afraid.

Despite that, he's terrified.

But even with that incentive, why does he tolerate the Ring so much? Even though his blackouts are kind of terrifying, and he really doesn't get much out of it, it's not like he feels entirely wrong. Even at Duelist Kingdom, he'd still worn the Ring after thinking the spirit gone. And even after he'd come back... could sentimentality really explain that? And knowing who the spirit was...

No, he shouldn't be trying to reason this out right now. What he is doing is trying to pull away right the fuck now. In a hushed whisper, not wanting anyone to overhear what they're talking about, he hisses the words out.]

I never asked you to do what you did. I didn't even know you were there!

Edited 2013-12-24 21:28 (UTC)

... [Bakura narrows his eyes at that. If this Ryou could take the Ring off, then "getting away from him" wouldn't be a problem at all. So then why?

He remembers, faintly, that the other him could make the Ring fly. That must have something to do with it.

Casually, he releases Ryou's arm and steps back.]

As ungrateful as always, I see! You didn't ask, but I could hear your thoughts, remember? H-heh...but it doesn't matter. You're not the same as my Master.

[Bakura holds his hands up, looking at them thoughtfully and turning them over. Then, just as casually he sets them at his sides. Another time, he'll have to catch Ryou with the Ring on.

Blinking, Ryou looks up at Aniki with a perplexed expression.]

A-aniki? Are you okay?

...

[Ungrateful? Had he truly... wished for that sort of thing to happen? The seed of doubt was settled in his mind now. But...

He wasn't the Ryou that the other Bakura was possessing... so why the hell did he have to bother with that at all? Just to antagonize him? Irritation tints his mind, for once feeling actually...

Angry.

That's right. He felt angry. It was rare for him to be angry for his own sake, but... this time, he truly felt a surge of rage that would have surely amused his past self.]

I'm fine, Shoutei.

[The words are hard to say somehow. He has to force them out.]

Do you want something to drink?

[There's a bit of a break in his memory, but he's not sure. It was short and he'd been in the same spot, so it's hard to tell if it was a break at all.

He nods absentmindedly.]

U-un, that sounds nice, but...are you sure? I didn't say anything weird, did I?

[If it was the spirit, Aniki would let him know, right? He was the only one who understood what he was going through now.]

[Neither of them are going to have to go get the drinks, it seems, because there's suddenly two glasses being offered by the king.]

Are you all right? [After a moment:] Both of you?

Sankyuu, father.

[Rubbing his arm awkwardly - it doesn't hurt, but he still feels a chill from those fingers - he manages an utterly forced smile as he takes his glass. His fingers are trembling just slightly, but it's like Henry just broke a spell. All at once, the tension in his shoulders eases off and he relaxes. That's right... he's safe, here. Totally, utterly safe.]

I'm fine. I just got... a little spooked.

[Looking over at the other Ryou, he sips his drink before continuing, addressing him now.]

You didn't do anything, Shoutei. It's fine. I'm not hurt or anything.

[Father? There's no way this guy was his dad! Ryou gives Aniki a skeptical look, as well as the stranger, before obligingly taking a drink and bowing his head in thanks.]

I'm fine, thank you...

[He glances back at his other self, glad again that the kitsune mask hide his face entirely, because he looked distraught beneath it.

That emphasis on "you"...]

I'm sorry. [He wanted to say more, but couldn't with that man here, so he'll just leave it at this:] I'll just try to talk with him later.

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