[Event] It couldn't last forever.

[helpusduelist]

[The lights going out had certainly surprised Henry, but he had been prepared for such a thing. He didn't fully understand the "electricity" that this place seemed to have, and thus, lacking that understanding, he had decided to prepare in case it disappeared.

Just like it had now.

Candles in that old-style holder and lit, Henry at least had some visibility despite the pressing darkness. Making sure to store away the others (at least after making sure Eleanor and Jack had ones themselves) he's started off into the Campus, looking for anyone lost in this darkness to help them find their way back to their dorms, or wherever else it was they wanted to go.]

Comments

[helpusduelist]

[Stricken from the records... and with that belief? Henry can't entirely repress a scowl, shaking his head.]

How barbaric. In the end, it should only be judgment that determines where a spirit passes on, not some act of man. No matter what his crimes or whatever beliefs are held... simple humans should never have the ability to meddle in what happens once the soul passes on.

1/2

[fluffydeathdealer]

...

[This guy. He really is too nice for his own good. Resting his head on his knees, he stares at Henry thoughtfully for a moment.]

It was part of the punishment that got me sealed in this Ring... I don't remember it, but I'm sure of that. Most likely, whatever I did... was something worth that punishment.

But... I don't understand one thing.

2/2

[fluffydeathdealer]

It seems a little overkill... considering my soul would be eaten if they'd just killed me.

[helpusduelist]

Which only proves my point more.

[Henry just shakes his head, pulling out the rosary and running his thumb along the cross on it. Tch... he hadn't been in the best of moods even before this, but now he's disliking these Egyptians even more.

...Sigh. Even when not in it, that unnatural darkness soured his mood. He shifts off to lean on his seat instead, letting his hand brush the deck to feel his Deck Master's comforting presence.]

So tell me, then... what is it that you want, if you could have whatever you pleased?

1/?

[fluffydeathdealer]

[It's an interesting question.

There's a lot of things that he wants. The power hidden behind the Tablet at Kul Elna. The memories of the past, long since lost. Revenge against someone he does remember the reason for. Freedom from this wretched curse of flickering from weak body to weak body. The feeling of warmth he's only starting to understand.

He wants everything to finally end. An end to this emptiness of existence that is little more than a waiting game. One way or the other... This stalemate must break!]

2/?

[fluffydeathdealer]

[For a moment, it's like the air itself is filled with a strange energy as he loses himself in his thoughts.]

...I?

3/4

[fluffydeathdealer]

[...and just like that, it's gone. That stirring of dark energy within him is submerged once more, no longer intruding upon the world.]

4/4

[fluffydeathdealer]

I wonder... Why do you ask, Henry?

[helpusduelist]

[When the energy comes, Henry feels a prickle up his spine, but doesn't comment.]

I suppose the answer of "simple curiosity" won't be enough for you.

[fluffydeathdealer]

...

[Staring into the flames, he slips a hand into his pocket, resting it against Diabound. It's almost like he's drawing strength from its presence.]

If you're wondering what else you can use to bribe me... It won't be any help. There's lots of things I want... but none of it can happen here.

But I'll tell you anyway, if you tell me yours.

[helpusduelist]

No, not bribe.

[Even if he hadn't brought up the deal, he would have said it. As it is, he folds his hands together again, leaning on them to stare into the flames himself.]

Quite simply... I'm curious about what it is that others want, and how it feels to have such a thing.

Because I don't know what my own are.

[He closes his eyes, letting the silence hang for a moment.]

Some want power. I'm the King of England; it's hard to be more powerful than that.

Some want money. Even ensuring that what we have is spent properly and to help my subjects, it's unlikely there will be much -- if anything -- material that I could want for.

Some want love. My marriage will certainly be to advance the kingdom somehow. Even if not, I have enough duties to pull me away from any wife I may have, lest she's involved with them too... which is unlikely, to say the least.

Some want status. It's hard to get higher than royal blood.

Some want magic. I have as much of that as I could ask for, and the creatures who harness it even further to cover the areas I lack in.

[He opens his eyes, giving a slight glance to Bakura before returning it to the flames.]

The things I want I want on the level of the kingdom; for myself, personally... I'm at a loss.

1/2

[fluffydeathdealer]

[To exist without desires... It's the opposite of his own existence. But nobody can be free of desire. They can only supress them.]

I wonder... if what you want is 'happiness'.

[It's an almost idle thought, offered on a whim.]

If there's nothing else you want, and yet you still exist... it has to be something less concrete.

2/2

[fluffydeathdealer]

I'm the opposite of you... all I have are selfish desires.

[Tilting his head back, he stares at the sky. It looks so strange.]

The victory of the final Game of Darkness that will grant me my desires. It's the only thing I know to reach for. Because that game holds everything I desire.

The power of darkness hidden at Kul Elna... The memories of three thousand years ago. The final defeat of the man who sealed me in this tool... the man I've been searching for over the last three millennia. I want him to realize his folly when he discovers that I've been using him to open that Gate. I want to take everything from him, break him down and leave him alone and helpless in an eternity of darkness where even the Gods have forsaken him!

[His words are filled with rage and hatred suddenly. And yet somehow he can't stop revealing the ugly depths of his hatred. It's like it's rising up like a torrent inside of him.

His fist strikes the ground suddenly.]

I want my body back! This weak and useless body is the closest thing I have, and yet it's nowhere near good enough!

[helpusduelist]

[Indeed, those are selfish... no, beyond selfish. While some of what he wants, Henry can understand, the rest is suffering for others, Ryou and the one that's earned so much hatred from him. Henry says nothing, however, offers no judgment on the things that Bakura wants.

In the end... this spirit is a devil, whether from hell itself or only made into one. A creature full of anger that could not rest, only wander and bite. It's... pitiable, almost.

"Weak and useless." Still, that makes Henry chuckle quietly, in the back of his throat. He isn't sure if the spirit knows what they have planned with Ryou, or if that defense, that shuffling of important facts into memories of things or emotions that would bore the spirit, was enough to keep him out.

They'd find out, in the end.]

So then, if you hate the body so much, why remain?

[It's spoken calmly, but guardedly.]

In a place like this... certainly, ones more inclined for what you want come in regularly.

[fluffydeathdealer]

...

[He looks over at Henry, eyes still fierce with anger, though not directed at him.]

Tch... I suppose you can't do anything with the information if I tell you.

[Grasping the Ring in one hand, he waves it at Henry, making it jingle a little.]

Listen, then! This thing is picky. If the person who wears it is weak-minded or evil, it'll destroy them. Ironic, considering what's inside of it! I've had stronger bodies in the past, but not ones this Ring likes so well... and not ones that are as close to 'him' as to make him vulnerable.

[helpusduelist]

[Henry doesn't so much as flinch at the anger, meeting Bakura's eyes with the calm, detached cool of his own.]

Hmm... is that so.

[On one hand, that makes it dangerous. On the other, it does prove more about Ryou's strength and gives Henry more hope for him. But to be so picky... it won't be as easy as sealing it in the host body of, say, an animal, then. Tch. How troublesome.]

I suppose I should be thankful, at least. I'd hate to imagine you in a combat-capable body.

[fluffydeathdealer]

[It's like fire meeting ice, each cancelling each other out in the middle. If Bakura had been able to read Henry's mind, he'd have been outraged at the thought. Instead, the cool air begins to calm his temper slowly.]

Heh... If you think being in a weaker body makes me less dangerous, you're underestimating me badly.

[helpusduelist]

[Henry keeps his gaze locked for as long as Bakura does as well; red eyes glimmering with no intimidation, but with caution. For as lightly as he speaks, the other man is a threat. A danger. And for however else the look is, his half of the gaze shows his thoughts on that clearly.

And yet, it doesn't break. Whether beast or devil, evil or just twisted, the king has no fear of the man before him.]

I make a habit of not underestimating those who I come across. Even the smallest of beasts have fangs and even the dullest of blades can kill at the throat.

[fluffydeathdealer]

[And at last, his anger breaks, leaving him moody, but no longer filled with rage. Lying back on the ground, he breaks the lockdown between their eyes.]

There's nothing you could say or do to make the Ring leave my host. You might as well accept it.

[helpusduelist]

Hmm.

[And that's all he offers, closing his eyes to rest -- if not actually sleep -- and shifting his position a little for comfort.]

[fluffydeathdealer]

[...

The quiet bothers him almost as much as his thoughts of before. He licks his lips without thinking.]

You're daring...

[helpusduelist]

[Henry half-opens an eye, looking over.]

What makes you think that?

[fluffydeathdealer]

You're lying there as if there's no threat within a mile of you.

[It's almost said in a conversational tone.]

[helpusduelist]

I may be laying here, but I know very well the threat close to me.

[One of Henry's hands is resting on the sword beside him; placed right in reach, even if not on his belt. The other is resting just on top of the deck holster on his belt, the monsters in his soul quieting to stare intensely at Bakura.]

It's only daring until you're killed... and then you're a fool. Isn't that how it goes?

[fluffydeathdealer]

Heheh... Are you calling me a fool, Henry?

[His tone is calm and teasing. Oh yes, Henry is a dangerous one... he likes that. He can't help it. This man amuses him, even while he can't rile him. Someday, he vows silently.

Some day, he'll see that cool facade break.]