Duel 002: Peaceful Days! The Fluffiest Training Montage Commences

[fluffydeathdealer]

[It's a bit of a pain, being in a school with no teachers.

Ryou Bakura isn't the type of kid who really likes being too active; he's about on the level of most ordinary teenagers. But after being laid up for so long with the burns to his arms and leg, not only is he extremely restless, but he's sure even his metabolism won't hold up much longer, with the amount he eats. That's why, after checking to see that Henry isn't home to take him up on that training offer, he's decided to try treating this like school and taking an hour or so to do his very own gym class, all by himself. It'd be easier with teachers, but... he doesn't have a choice right now.

Most kids probably would just take the break and be lazy, but right now, Ryou's working hard. Apart from the occasional break, he can be found pretty easily in the east wing, dressed in gym clothes and doing everything from running laps on the track field to climbing ropes.

...though that last one is more like 'falling off ropes'. Stupid mats... they don't cushion that fall at all. Hopefully nobody's dumb enough to stand below him.]

Ow...

[Time for a banana and some water, he thinks.]

Ah, I'm so tired...

Comments

[fluffydeathdealer]

Aha... ha... Yeah, it's me. You can check if you want, but I'm not wearing the Ring right now.

[He'd been coming back and forth throughout the day, so he'd left the Ring in the fridge this time.]

I'm kind of out of practice... debating just leaving them and doing something else for a while.

[redrosechose]

I can show you how, if you like. I was crack at them when I was younger, and it's not like I got worse during the war.

[fluffydeathdealer]

I'd appreciate that! But, are you sure it's alright? You and the other me had some problems, so... I'd understand if you didn't feel comfortable around me.

1/2

[redrosechose]

You're right. That spirit and I do have a lot of problems, and if I saw him on his own, I wouldn't hesitate to whack him around some.

[It's a sign on her psyche, that kill, when even her threats sound less like threats and more like bullying.]

[redrosechose]

But you aren't him. And as long as he isn't coming out, I don't see why we'd have a problem. Unless you want to stab me, too.

[fluffydeathdealer]

Why would I want to hurt you? You're a nice person, and you're one of father's friends, so...

Ah! Hold on!

[That reminds him, he has something for her. Brb, girl... he'll be pushing something into your hands in a moment.]

Here! I got you this in case you have to deal with him again.

[redrosechose]

Then there's no point to being uncomfortable around you.

[What's this... Mace? ...Oh Ryou, you are one of her new favorites.]

But isn't that your body getting sprayed in the eyes?

[fluffydeathdealer]

Un. It's okay... I don't mind getting hurt if it means someone else doesn't. And he'll probably not expect it, so he won't switch back or anything. Even if he does, at least it'll be something to stop him.

[redrosechose]

I suppose so... sacrifice for the greater good of not being stabbed or bodysnatched again. You're quite a boy.

[fluffydeathdealer]

[Sigh.]

I don't want anyone else to be hurt. I've gotten hurt trying to stop him before, but by now, it feels like a lost cause. So if I can help other people stop him, it's good enough.

[redrosechose]

...

[FLICK TO THE FOREHEAD AGAIN]

[fluffydeathdealer]

!

[He falls over in surprise, scrambling back.]

A-ah, did I say something wrong?

[redrosechose]

Really, after all this working out, getting Henry so giddy over you, and trying to help people, you're giving up already? If you're going to be Henry's son, you should know better than that!

[fluffydeathdealer]

I'm not giving up! But I know I can't resist him just yet. I just have to keep working on it. Until then, this is all I can do. So just be patient with me, okay?

[redrosechose]

There we go. That's better.

[Eleanor offers him a hand up, smiling.]

But don't say "lost cause"! That makes it sound like you've given up, not that you're just waiting until you get stronger. It's "a fight you can't win just yet," all right?

[fluffydeathdealer]

Un! I'll try to make it sound less pessimistic.

[Grasping her hand firmly, he uses it to pull himself up.]

It's habit to word things like that, that's all.

[redrosechose]

Well, you'll have to break it. Be cheerful!

[She flashes another smile, though there's still a weird twitch to it, that suggestion she isn't quite entirely the same anymore.]

Now. You wanted to learn how to rope climb, right?

[fluffydeathdealer]

Un! I'd appreciate the help.

[That look in her face... what suffering has she been through? Best to distract her from it.]

Hehe, it's kind of silly... I've climbed ropes blindfolded before and I'm still struggling. I guess losing practice really did mess me up.

[redrosechose]

You climbed them blindfolded? Why?

[It works very well, in fact, and Eleanor heads over to the ropes, though she doesn't drop the Deck Leader armor. At least the Maiden just wears clothes, so it's not too bad.]

[fluffydeathdealer]

We were climbing a tower - long story - and Honda-kun didn't want Anzu to go last even though she was wearing a skirt, in case she fell. So she went first, and we went up blindfolded.

[He grasps the rope tentatively - if with a look of determination on his face.]

[redrosechose]

[...Well then!]

Right gentlemen, then, were you? Interesting way to start a day, I suppose.

[She nods, taking Ryou's hands and arranging them a bit better.]

Keep them about this distance. And make sure to use your legs. If you fall, I'll catch you.

[fluffydeathdealer]

About this far... Right! I get it.

[He pulls himself up a little, trying to use his legs more.]

I'd call it more an 'act of terror' than an 'act of kindness'. We could have just not looked up. But Anzu is scarier than any of the boys when you get her mad.

[redrosechose]

Good on her! We're a lot scarier than people seem to think we are.

[She watches this, nodding a bit.]

There you go. Easy, though, mate.

[fluffydeathdealer]

No offense, but most women I know are probably scarier than any man I've ever met.

[What was that word she just used?]

...'mate'?

[redrosechose]

Glad you've met my kind of girls, then.

[...Oh right. The whole...]

British word. Think of it as something like "friend."