[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

[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.

[fluffydeathdealer]

Heheh... I can understand that. Losing control to either of them means putting everything at risk. Your kingdom, your people... even your life.

And that is why I called you icy.

I think... you're warmer with my host. He has fond feelings towards you.

[helpusduelist]

Ryou has not tortured my friend nor assisted in a plot to kill me and the two Rose Duelists, now has he?

[It's more sarcastic than teasing, but Henry is sure to say it pointedly anyway.]

Is it strange, then, I'd feel a bit more warmly inclined towards him than you? Especially with such a soft, almost childlike aura about him verses the bored, idle beast aura you so often give off.

[fluffydeathdealer]

Where did I say it would be strange? I was just pointing out something interesting.

[He sits back a little, feeling a lot warmer now. Much better.]

I'm not about to pretend I'm a good person, Henry. If I appear to be an idle beast around you... maybe that's because I usually approach you when I'm in a relaxed enough state.

[helpusduelist]

Why is that, I wonder? It's quite a curious thing... though I won't complain about it.

[After all, when a fed, bored tiger comes to sleep nearby, one doesn't complain, especially if it keeps its claws in.]

[fluffydeathdealer]

Who knows? Maybe I actually don't want to take out my moods on you too much. Or maybe you just have that type of attitude that draws wild beasts to you.

[helpusduelist]

Hah! That would explain Jack and Christopher, then, wouldn't it? As well as some of the other Lancastrians...

[fluffydeathdealer]

[Christopher? Henry had mentioned him in passing to Ryou, but he'd only said he was a protector type. Had they spoken more of this in his absence? Well, he'll be honest.]

I can't speak for this Christopher. All I know is what you mentioned to Ryou over the Monster World figure. But... if Jack is anything like me, I can see why you'd think that.

[helpusduelist]

He's similar to the "Jounouchi" that Ryou seems to know. Much like a wild wolf come to sit willingly in my lap, in a way. About as fierce as one, if ten times smarter.

As for Jack... he is, in some ways, and yet completely different in others.

[fluffydeathdealer]

Heheh! It really does seem like you're a beast tamer. Interesting...

[helpusduelist]

A wolf at my side, a fox at my back, an eagle in the skies above me, and a snake watching the steps of those nearby me... it does, doesn't it?

[fluffydeathdealer]

Jeez... I understood one of those. And only because you already explained it to me.

But it really does look like you have that touch for wild animals. I'm not sure whether to be impressed or afraid.