I am Malik Ish-- I MEAN MY NAME IS NAMU.

[obeytherod]

[Malik had humoured the nurse, listened to her explanation until it made him burn with fury and he knocked her back with a telekinetic blast of his Millennium Rod. He storms out of the office mere moments later, letting out a frustrated cry.]

Rruhh! This cannot be! [Why this, in the middle of the Battle City tournament?! He was so close, so close to his revenge on the Pharaoh he could practically taste it, and now he was here. It made him so furious, and--]

[The teenager suddenly winces, bringing a hand to his head as an intense headache pounds at the forefront of his skull. He takes a moment then to calm himself, shaking for a bit before he finally straightens back up.]

[The Egyptian looks either way down the hall, silently hooking his Millennium Rod to his belt. Now was the worst possible time to be caught off guard like this. But for now he would just have to hope he could find a way out of here...and that he wouldn't bump into anybody who might recognize the Rod for what it really is. Then again, even if he did, he could always use the Rod to warp their mind into thinking it was nothing more than a decoration.

Still, he better play it safe and put on a nice face. After all, he was supposed to be Namu, not Malik.]

Ah...I really am lost! [He calls out innocently.]

((ooc: Here's his Permissions Post for anybody that missed it. I'll default to "no" on everything otherwise, and ask on a case-by-case basis.))

Comments

[fluffydeathdealer]

...

[Okay, did Malik even know what he was saying? Because that definitely sounded like he was being hit on. Surely not. ...right?

At any rate, that sounded like he was suggesting he was in control here.]

How odd. I thought partnerships were supposed to be equal. I guess this alliance is more like a dictatorship.

What would you do if I decided it isn't worth it, I wonder?

[After all, Bakura was used to working alone. Malik, on the other hand...

Heh. That was an advantage he should hold on to.]

We only have each other to rely on here.

[obeytherod]

[That comment snaps Malik out of his little power-high, causing him to curl his lip and glower. The last thing he needed to lose in this place was his only partner.]

...Then maybe we should adjust our agreement. For the change in circumstance.

[He couldn't have Bakura walking out on him, and he wouldn't be half as much use to him as a Ghoul. He doubted he could Ghoulify him anyway, given the fact he has two souls.]

[fluffydeathdealer]

[Seeing that look on Malik's face makes him smile. It's almost a perfect revenge.]

Perhaps we should. [A light shrug and he drops down into a chair, waiting for Malik to continue.]

I'm listening.

[He's honestly curious now. He'd mostly said it to remind Malik of the risks of pushing him too far. But this was a new twist. What could Malik be suggesting?]

[obeytherod]

[Malik glances around, finding a chair of his own to sit down in as he follows Bakura's lead.

With the Millennium Rod still in his hand, he idly toys with it as he speaks.]

Right now, we have a common goal. [He looks sternly at the man across from him.] We should work towards that together. Let everybody else here rot, but we need to be able to trust each other.

Now... [He smirks, something sadistic about it.] How do you plan to do that? How do I know I can trust you?

[fluffydeathdealer]

[Trust? What a foolish word. Trust was not something given, but merely assured by making it clear that there was no option for betrayal. He had little idea how to answer that at first, simply watching him as he ran through possible words before he spoke.]

You're quite the bold one to ask that. The straight answer is simple enough... you don't. You and I are quite alike. We both use others for our own ends. Because of that, it's difficult to trust either of us. But you're right- the others here are insignificant.

The easiest way might be some kind of collateral. But I can't think of that many things that either of us would be willing to give up in favour of that.

[obeytherod]

[Bakura had a point, and it was one Malik had realized himself even as he made the suggestion. In fact, it was the very reason why he had decided to speak up in the first place.]

Collateral. Heh. And I suppose the promise of my Millennium Rod is not enough for you, just as your promise of helping me defeat the Pharaoh is not enough for me.

Well... [Malik hums thoughtfully.] Tell me, Bakura, can you still take over your host without the Millennium Ring?

[fluffydeathdealer]

No.

[His expression darkens at the suggestion. As if he would give that up! If Malik could even get him to part with the Eye, that'd be an accomplishment.]

The Ring is the conduit that carries my soul. I need both the Ring and the host to be connected to control him.

[obeytherod]

No? Too bad.

[He crosses his arms, trying to think of something else he could ask for.] You don't have anything else?

[fluffydeathdealer]

[Bakura languidly draws the Eye out of his pocket, tossing it in his hand carelessly.]

I have this... but I doubt you have anything of equal value to offer.

[Holding it in front of his eye, he smirks at Malik.]

[obeytherod]

The Millennium Eye...

[Bakura was after the Millennium Items, so that would certainly do. As for what he had to offer...Malik simply smirks. He reaches back, pulling out from his pocket a counterfeit Winged God of Ra card he had in his possession. He shows the card to Bakura.]

I'm afraid all I have to offer is God. I'll give this to you...but you can't use it, understand?

[fluffydeathdealer]

.

.

.

[That was unexpected.

For Malik to offer that... he hadn't expected that at all. He'd expected the man to flounder and come up with another suggestion, not to offer something as precious as that.

The Ring seems to sense something about that card that makes him uneasy. An ill omen.

Was the man truly that desperate not to be left on his own? No, something isn't right here. That card was offered too easily... and the requirement makes little sense. What would be the harm in using it?]

Why?

[obeytherod]

[He narrows his eyes. Was Bakura suspicious...?]

Because it's still my card. The power of God was not meant to be used by just anybody. Besides... [He runs a finger over the ancient text.] Unless you can read Ancient Egyptian, it's as good as useless in your hands.

[fluffydeathdealer]

Is that so?

[That's right... Malik doesn't know who he is, not truly. There's still many secrets he has hidden. Still, something about this doesn't settle with him.]

Do me a favour then, Malik. Before I'll accept that card... I want you to summon it for me.

[obeytherod]

[Malik blinks, his brief look of shock betraying his intentions. No...he couldn't summon it. The wrath of God would smite him for it...!

Eventually, he scowls.]

Is that really necessary?

[fluffydeathdealer]

[Suspicions confirmed. He sighs, shaking his head slowly, and smirks.]

And now you see why we need collateral. I simply can't trust you not to deceive me.

[obeytherod]

... [And so Malik's own plan blows up in his face. The Egyptian admits defeat, putting away his counterfeit and retrieving the real card from his deck.]

How befitting...

[fluffydeathdealer]

Heheh. Here's a tip, free of charge! When you're trying to offer a false copy of something, don't seem too eager. You should act as if it were as valuable as the original. Bargain, offer alternatives. Make it seem like your last resort!

[Leaning forwards, he sets the Eye on the table between them.]

[obeytherod]

[Malik can only seethe at Bakura now as he holds the card diligently between his fingertips, peering over at the Millennium Eye on the table.

Now he'd driven himself into a corner. He had nothing else to offer besides the God card and his Millennium Rod, the later of which he trusted even less in Bakura's possession given its powers.]

[fluffydeathdealer]

Well then? Are we going to make a deal?

[His smile only grows wider. Oh, yes, this is working out just perfectly. Malik, you have much to learn. Even if you do get the better of him sometimes.

...most of the time.]

[obeytherod]

[Guh...it pains him to do so, but Malik forces his hand out to set the God card down on the table. His fury is almost palpable, his hand shaking.

He locks eyes with Bakura and shoots him the nastiest leer he can muster. This hatred and loathing, the exchange of collateral damage...being outsmarted. Was this really what it took to establish a mutual trust?]

...It's a deal.

[fluffydeathdealer]

[For people like them, it was the only option. Despite his own cruelty and hatred, the spirit of the Ring was at least honorable enough to play by the rules. Malik, on the other hand, had already tried to cheat him once, and had also had the nerve to force part of his soul into him. While Bakura's threat to abandon him had been a hollow one, it was none-the-less quite pleasant to see him in this state. And after all, he's a thief. If he ever did want to back out, he could easily just steal the Eye back.

This guy... really is amusing, he thinks, carelessly. A joke comes to mind and he leans over, flashing Malik a sarcastic smile.]

Should I start calling you 'partner'?

[obeytherod]

[Malik narrows his eyes further at that comment. He ignores the "joke" and replies harshly.]

In the presence of others, I am still "Namu", understand?

[He leans forward, grabbing the Millennium Eye in his hand and bringing it up to his face for an inspection.]

I can't risk my identity being revealed while I'm here.

[fluffydeathdealer]

Understood.

[Malik could probably still see dried specks of red on the Eye if he looked carefully enough.

...he wondered vaguely how Malik would react to realizing Bakura once licked that. Ah, well, time for trolling later.]

My host still doesn't know you even exist, so it's up to you how you act around him.

[obeytherod]

[Seeing the red, Malik realizes that Bakura probably never washed this thing after plucking it from its host. He made a note to wash his hands later.]

... [But that reminds him.] And what of your host? He's not bound to our agreement. How should I handle him?

[fluffydeathdealer]

Heheh. That's your problem.

[Please, it was just blood. Over the years it'd probably been covered in all kinda of dirt before it was shoved into Pegasus' eyesocket.]

Bakura is... troublesome. The hosts of the Sennen Ring need a particular level of strength all of their own, if they're to survive it. This one might be weak compared to some, but his tenacity is infuriating.

You don't need to act super nice to him, just don't let him realize you've got any sort of murderous tendencies towards his friends.