[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]

Now now, Bakura... it's not nice to curse out children.

[He can't help it. It probably isn't good to antagonize him, but this is really far too hilarious for him not to.]

[fluffydeathdealer]

Curse them?! If they weren't your monsters, I'd do worse than curse the goddamn she-devils!

[Of course Henry would have mischievous monsters.

Of course.

Ugh... He's just gonna flop here on the ground and regret their existence.]

[helpusduelist]

[Henry's laughter dissolves back into chuckles, then silence, as he resettles. The Charmers seem to have had their fun, so they quiet as well, just watching him to make sure he doesn't try anything.

It's a strange feeling, on Henry's end, to have to try and rest with the annoyed beast right next to him. It's been a long time since he's had to rest while feeling so unsettled...

Heh. Practice, he supposes, if nothing else.

Beside Henry, another Charmer comes into existence. This one appears to be a young boy instead of the girls before him, and he's at least not pranking.

He's staring. Just staring at Bakura, without that gaze ever waving.

Staring...]

[fluffydeathdealer]

...?

[A boy this time... It's like being surrounded by spirits. How annoying! Being stared at like this is a bit strange. It's even a little unnerving. What are these kids even up to? Are they just trying to drive him to the point of lunacy?]

Uh. Hi?

[He reaches out as if to poke him.]

[helpusduelist]

[The boy's eyes narrow sharply at the gesture, and unlike with the others, there's a sudden voice in Bakura's head as his hand goes out.

Don't touch me.

It's hissed and dark, a sharp command as if chiding a dog.]

[fluffydeathdealer]

[His hand freezes in place, as if something has seized it. He can't move it closer. It's like his hand doesn't want to obey him.

Staring at it, Bakura jerks it back as if burnt, scrambling back as far as he can from the boy.

Don't screw with me! This kid can order me around?! he thinks violently, repulsed.]

The hell-?!

[helpusduelist]

[The boy's eyes widen and he exchanges a look with the bat, peering at Bakura curiously. He's scrambled far, but perhaps...

Dharc holds out his hand, trying to reforge that mental connection.

Stand up and come back to the fire.

He might yet be too far away... but he has to try. No human or spirit should have been able to hear his mental command. Only one thing in this world did...]

[fluffydeathdealer]

[Don't order me around! he snarls inside of his head, fighting the command with everything he has. It's like a war going on inside of him.

He can't stop. Rising to his feet, he walks back over. His face is white with rage, teeth gritted.]

Bastard...! Don't fuck with me!

[helpusduelist]

[The yell gets Henry's attention and he lifts his head, blinking at Bakura's odd glare to...

...What?]

Dharc, what are you doing?

[Commanding.]

...Commanding? What do you mean?

[He listens to me.

Henry looks up at Bakura in alarm at that, then back down to the boy at his side.]

How? You can only control Dark monsters.

[I don't know. I just know that he listens.]

...Release it. Stop now. There's no need for this.

[Dharc nods his head in obedience, disappearing and releasing the pressure on Bakura. Henry looks up at the other man, bewilderment and confusion painted on his face.]

...I see no reason to make this known, or make any use of it, unless you threaten our safety again. And I'll ensure Dharc is aware of that.

[fluffydeathdealer]

That brat... [His mind is exhausted from resisting even for that few minutes. Sinking down, he sits on the ground.

There's something like fear in his eyes.

Why was that boy able to control him? It was like his very being had been twisted into obeying. For a long moment he doesn't answer. When he does, his voice is filled with hatred.]

Fine. But...

[He bares his teeth, humor gone entirely.]

If he does that again, I'll kill him for sure!

[helpusduelist]

[Henry nods softly, mentally sending a warning to Dharc. Still, his own mind is whirling over it... is it because Bakura is some sort of devil? Or a spirit? Dharc is new to him, as are the other Charmers, so he can't even begin to guess...]

Are you all right?

[fluffydeathdealer]

Tch... It's like I just fought a war inside my head.

[It's the closest thing Henry will get to admittance that he'd fought - and lost - Dharc's power. He looks away, expression tense. How embarassing...]

I'm fine...

[He's quite clearly not. If Dharc had kept going, he might have gone into a full-out panic.]

[helpusduelist]

...Very well. Then we'll leave it behind us and unless you force it, we'll pretend none of this ever happened. Agreeable?

[He can tell Bakura's unsettled, but he isn't sure how to help. Dharc's power to do that... he simply doesn't understand.]

[fluffydeathdealer]

...

Fine by me.

[He never wants to see that damn card again. A shiver runs down his spine suddenly. He understands it as little as Henry does.]

[helpusduelist]

Then the matter's settled.

[Dharc retreats into a "sleep" of his own, removing his presence from Bakura's awareness. The other spellcasters, however, are watching him intently, almost curiously.

Henry leans back against his former seat, closing his eyes again and trying to reach out to the Charmers. If they have this power... he has to feel them more closely, to see just what they can do.]

[fluffydeathdealer]

[Despite his wariness, he comes closer to the fire itself, reaching his hand out towards it to feel its warmth. Right now, he feels like there's nothing but cold in his body, though it's got nothing to do with the temperature.]

...

[The lack of the presence of Dharc does ease his nerves a little. Even if the others being there still bother him. He can feel those eyes, gods dammit!]

Why are your monsters staring at me?

[helpusduelist]

Likely curious, wondering how you were ensnared by Dharc. It's a skill that, if understood, could help immensely back home, or even if we ever had a worse problem here. But they are at as much of a loss as I am.

[A pause.]

Some, however, are simply more unsettled and think you're more likely to go off your rocker and try to chew my throat out or something.

[fluffydeathdealer]

...

Why would they think such a foolish thing?

[A little teasingly - ]

I like you too much to go for your throat first. I'd want to see you squirm too badly.

[helpusduelist]

Caution and paranoia for me, perhaps?

[...Eyebrow.]

"Squirm?" I'm not entirely fond of the sound of that. And the idea of you liking me is a bit unsettling as well...

[fluffydeathdealer]

Don't misunderstand! I find you interesting and for whatever reason, I enjoy talking to you. That doesn't mean I like everything about you, or that I'd care if you got eaten by a Kuriboh... it just means I like you.

[His words are almost dismissive. But still... he had that other part to it. His lips twitch into a smirk.]

Don't you know me well enough to know what type of person I am?

Heh. Nu. Ri. -Kun?

[helpusduelist]

[...Henry is beginning to wonder about this person. He raises an eyebrow again, shifting in his position as he examines Bakura almost methodically. He really is one that seems... interesting to try to understand, and he'd be lying if he didn't share the same sort of "like," if just as how a tamer might "like" the beast that keeps surprising him with its quick turns.]

Heh... I told you already... you'd have to fight Jack for that.

[His voice is calm, joking, but a bit more even in tone than it had been before.]

I know you're the type to play with your food, much like a cat...

Bah. Koo. Rah.

[fluffydeathdealer]

Oy, oy... My bad! I forgot what a protective man this Jack of yours is. He was the guy carrying me around before, right?

I'd hate to have to wound someone with such a pretty face, so I guess I'll just have to let you get away.

[His voice is blatantly joking, his good mood returning.]

I guess that's a good way to put it, too! I like to see my prey writhing in fear before I strike. I guess that takes you off the risk list straight away. I don't think I have it in me to break that icy front.

[helpusduelist]

[Heh. Henry seems vaguely amused by the joking, but not quite enough to barb back in. Now he's too curious. What are you, really, Bakura?

...That, however, gets another quirked look and somewhat of a smile, the king shaking his head a little.]

"Icy?" That's a new one. I'd heard it used to refer to my mother, but not quite myself...

[fluffydeathdealer]

[An enigma wrapped in a puzzle hidden in a maze of confusion.]

Heh... you don't look in the mirror much, do you? It seems like it would take someone more frightening than me to scare or anger you.

[helpusduelist]

I've seen a lot in my lifetime, Bakura... most likely, not anywhere near as much as you, but for me, it's been enough. When one stares down blade, claw, fang, magic, and arrow for long enough... it becomes harder and harder to shake them up.

Especially when they have many things to fall back upon as well.

I'll let you in on a secret, shall I? For a king... anger and fear are two of the most dangerous and crippling emotions.