EGYPTIAN WHEELIES

[obeytherod]

[Malik had found something while looking through the East Wing. Just what that "something" was becomes apparent when an engine roars to life, and the skid of tires on tiled flooring echoes through the halls.

Sure...sure, he could just walk his new bike outside...but where was the fun in that?! This wasn't an ATV, and it likely wasn't going to fair well in the spotty terrain outdoors...

So he's just going to take a few smooth-riding laps in the halls before he goes to test it outside.

When somebody gets in his way, he rears the bike back onto one wheel, skidding a few feet on the floor before the front tire slams back down and he comes to a stop.]

What, are you trying to get yourself killed?

Comments

[obeytherod]

Right... [He looks down at the item, considering this. Bakura still didn't know that he needed Yugi alive to open the door, did he? Either way...]

I'll do it...under a few conditions. [Glancing up at Bakura again, he watches his expression carefully.]

[fluffydeathdealer]

...eh? What are they?

[He never expected Malik to answer at all, let alone with a view to considering it. So he listens curiously, a questioning expression on his face.]

[obeytherod]

[Malik holds up a finger for each stipulation.]

For one, once I've defeated the Pharaoh, I want to stay with my family. If you want to be with me, you'll have to accept that.

Two...my sister has the Tauk. I don't care if you take it, but if you hurt her, I'll turn your Ring into scrap metal.

And for the last one...if I change my mind, you put me back. Don't argue it with me--just do it!

[Malik's voice was firm the entire time. There was no way he'd be moved on any of his conditions; that much was clear.] Do you understand?

[fluffydeathdealer]

['Family'? How pathetic... Of all the conditions he could have asked for, that was his big priority? But then, remembering the images he'd seen in Malik's head, he guesses it isn't surprising.]

Your sister... [That complicates things, but not terribly. Getting Shadi's items would be harder, since angry ghosts tended to make shit problematic.]

That's fine. I won't lay a finger on your family, or try to drive them away, or do anything to separate you.

[Even if he doesn't understand it.]

I understand. I won't even ask.

[obeytherod]

... [No...even with that, it just wasn't good enough. Malik needs more than just Bakura's word.]

I want you to swear it to me over something.

[He glances around, trying to figure out...what, exactly.]

[fluffydeathdealer]

...

[Swear it over something? Hm... he remembers something about a certain semi-sacred vegetable.]

I think we have onions in the kitchen. I can go get them.

[Getting up...]

[obeytherod]

Onions? [Malik knows about that, but...]

I have a better idea. [He grabs the dagger off the bed, holding out his other hand for Bakura's.]

Give me your hand.

[fluffydeathdealer]

[Huh. He has a feeling he knows what Malik's about to do, but hell, it's not like it's against his religion to spill blood on sundays or anything. Before he holds his hand out, however, he pauses.]

Malik... why don't we make this a little more meaningful? An oath like this should be shared.

[obeytherod]

Hm? [He blinks, eyes darting briefly towards the dagger.]

What do you mean? You're the one swearing to me.

[fluffydeathdealer]

Yes... I am. But...

[He sits in front of Malik.]

I'm talking about a promise that has nothing and everything to do with this. Nothing to do with the Items, or with our goals... just with us. Of course, I'm going to swear that oath to you... but I'm suggesting this as well.

Have you heard of the term 'blood brothers' before? It's a promise of loyalty formed by mixing our blood. By mixing the blood from both of our hands, in that way, we become symbolically linked as 'family' as well as whatever else we are. You could call it a sacred oath. It's a promise of kinship that can never be broken, or betrayed. A promise of trust. By taking it, we swear to never intentionally betray, murder, or abandon one another.

...though, knowing us, I wouldn't suggest promising not to hurt one another.

[His voice is a little dry as he rests his hand on his side.]

[obeytherod]

["Blood Brothers"...? No, Malik had never heard of such a thing, and as such he listens with scrutiny.

But the picture that forms...isn't a bad one. It had barely been an hour ago that he was proclaiming Bakura as his. This promise of loyalty and trust was exactly what he wanted. It was control...power over Bakura, but most of all it was security.

He wanted this foolish Spirit almost as much as he wanted to kill the Pharaoh.]

...Interesting. [Malik lifts his hand, looking thoughtfully down at it.]

I'll do it. [He clenches his hand into a fist.]

[fluffydeathdealer]

[An odd feeling of relief settles into him at the agreement, unexpected as it is. This uncertain game has drawn even him into foolish mistakes. Hopefully this isn't going to be another one.]

Then, I'll make my promise regarding your conditions first, shall I?

[He extends his hand, offering it to Malik like a sacrifice.

And knowing Malik's sadism, it might as well be.]

[obeytherod]

...Yes. [Sadism indeed; even given the circumstances, Malik can't help but briefly smirk as he brandishes the knife. He reaches out with his other hand to grab hold of Bakura's, making sure it stays in place as he slowly rakes the blade across his palm.

He releases the hand once he's finished, waiting for Bakura to go on.]

[fluffydeathdealer]

[He hisses slightly with an irritated look at how slow Malik took that. They probably shouldn't have done this indoors; the blood bubbles up from the wound, spilling over the edges to drip towards the side of his hand and head ever-downwards to the ground.]

Then, I swear upon this blood you've spilt... No matter what happens, I will not so much as harm a hair on the head of your family. I swear not to try to separate you from them in any way, and to immediately and unhesitantly obey any request from you to restore your soul to its original location.

[Is he meant to add an amen or something? Because he doesn't care for that crap]

[obeytherod]

[Malik was Egyptian...amens meant nothing to him. Bakura's words and split blood were more than enough to satisfy him.

That much was made clear by the way Malik unhesitatingly moved the blade to his own hand next.]

...

[He braces himself with a baited breath, and then slices open his own palm in the same matter, letting out a low hiss. Once the deed is done, his hand cringing ever so slightly, Malik grabs Bakura's own bleeding palm and squeezes it to his own.

He wasn't quite as eloquent in his own attempts at swearing.]

...With this, I promise to never intentionally betray you, murder you, or abandon you. [There's a brief pause, as he was still mustering up the courage to say something so...intimate.] We're family now.

[fluffydeathdealer]

...

[It was almost cute. Malik clearly had no idea about this stuff... though how could he? The guy had next to no idea about most stuff.

Clasping Malik's hand in his own briefly, he nodded with a firmness and seriousness to it that seemed different to his usual childishness.]

I promise the same; that I won't intentionally betray, murder or abandon you. From this moment on-

[...okay he shouldn't have silently mocked Malik, this shit is hard to say. He swallows a little.]

-from this moment on, we're family.

[obeytherod]

[Malik waits a moment, as if for a signal to stop...but eventually just lets go himself after giving Bakura's hand a definitive squeeze.

Once he's pulled away he looks down at his own hand, their blood smeared and mixed together on it.]

...Family, huh.

[He closes his eyes, an almost peaceful expression gracing his usually sharp features. Family...that's why he needed to get out of here, because he needed to get his revenge, and free his family.]

[fluffydeathdealer]

[It's an odd feeling. His hand is tingling, and he's wondering what he's gotten into. 'Family', huh? What a stupid thought... But he's gotten what he wanted. Even so, his thoughts are a maelstrom of curiosity and strange thoughts.

He stays silent for a while before he speaks.]

Let me know when you're ready.

[He isn't going to surprise him this time

[obeytherod]

Oh, yeah. [The words are muttered like an afterthought. He'd almost forgotten, what with all the cutting open of their palms, blood, and oath taking.

Reaching to his belt, Malik pulls his Millennium Rod into one hand. Despite being prepared this time...he still looks and feels a bit nervous.

It had been far from pleasant the first time.]

...I'm ready.

[fluffydeathdealer]

[The question is... will it work again, since Malik lost the first time? Only one way to find out if the initial loss still counts!]

Soul-Body Transfer!

[With Malik actually holding the Rod, it should be a lot less unpleasant, at least...]

[obeytherod]

Hhk--! [Malik squeezes his eyes shut, shuddering slightly. When he opens them again he glances around.]

...Did it work?

[fluffydeathdealer]

...who knows? If you put the Rod down and you pass out, that'd be the easiest way to find out.

[Bakura just grins, watching him to see if he'll take the bait.]

[obeytherod]

... [It was better to find out now, then later if the Rod was somehow taken from him, so...

Malik extends his arm out, holding the Rod tightly in it...before letting it fall from his grasp. The second the Item loses contact with his person, his eyes go blank and he crumples to the floor.]

[fluffydeathdealer]

...hmhmhm...

[Well, that answered that. Oh Malik, you idiot, you should have at least put some pillows down first. Picking up the Rod, he taps the end of it against Malik's nose, holding it there.]

Good morning, Malik! Sleep well?

[obeytherod]

[His eyes instantly regain the life in them, and Malik grimaces at the uncomfortable position he's landed in.

Really...his legs crossed, while he was laying on his back?

The first thing Malik does is uncross his legs with some difficulty. The second is grab his Rod.]

...Ugh. My head hurts. [He sits up and gives it a rub.]