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

[helpusduelist]

[Henry's hand snaps out in case he needs catching, chuckling softly.]

Easy, there. One step at a time.

[fluffydeathdealer]

[He has to grab onto it for a moment to steady himself, before letting go.]

Right! Sorry, I forgot already.

[helpusduelist]

It's all right. Feel free to hold onto me if you need to until you adjust to the weight a bit more.

[fluffydeathdealer]

Thank you. I'm not the best at balancing at the best of times, so it's really good to know. It's part of why I wanted to get back to doing gym stuff today. I'm sick of falling over all the time.

[helpusduelist]

You fall over fairly often, then?

[He sounds more amused than anything.]

[fluffydeathdealer]

A ton. My balance is kind of terrible, so I seem to end up on the floor a lot.

[helpusduelist]

We might have to figure out a way to fix that...

[Still, he steadies Ryou with that gentle smile.]

[fluffydeathdealer]

Hehe... Posture is important, right?

[He's grateful, though he tries not to rely on it too much. This is really weird...]

[helpusduelist]

Not so much "posture is important" as "we prefer our princes without constant bruises."

[He grins, clearly teasing.]

[fluffydeathdealer]

[His face burns a little and he manages an embarassed laugh.]

I'm used to bruises, by now.

[helpusduelist]

Then we'll have to find a way to make it so you aren't.

[He uses his free hand to gently brush some of Ryou's hair out of his face.]

[fluffydeathdealer]

[He smiles in response to that, looking a little amused.]

Are you worried?

[helpusduelist]

Should I not be? You are my son, after all, and I don't want to see you hurt. Even mildly.

[fluffydeathdealer]

It's not my place to decide what you should or shouldn't be... I've got little experience with this too.

But if it bothers you that much, I'll do my best to get better at balancing. I guess I'm too complacent about it.

[helpusduelist]

Well, if you're ever going to duel properly, balance is important. ...Then again, I suppose if you keep tripping around, your opponent will be laughing too hard to actually focus.

[fluffydeathdealer]

Father, that's cruel! [He laughs, rubbing the back of his head awkwardly.] I don't fall over every step I take!

[...he says as he promptly overbalances and falls over.]

Oof!

[helpusduelist]

...What was that, now, Ryou?

[He's laughing loudly, bending down to help him back up.]

[fluffydeathdealer]

...I think I need to practice walking with this thing some more. Good thing it's a little while to the dorm.

[His face burning with embarassment, he gratefully gets up with Henry's help.]

[helpusduelist]

[His laughter quiets and he gently pats Ryou's head.]

It took me a week to get used to it. I was tripping over it and over myself all the time. My mother finally had a guard with me at all times, even in the castle, just to keep me from getting banged up so much.

[fluffydeathdealer]

...

[That makes him snicker to picture it.]

That bad? That's a surprise. You always seem to have such poise!

[helpusduelist]

Practice, Ryou. Everything comes with practice behind it, and I was taught for a long time to be able to keep like this in any situation.

The fact is, no matter how bad you may do in any of these tests or training... don't forget that I was just as bad, if not worse! Even kings have to start with one foot in front of the other before they can walk.

[fluffydeathdealer]

Un... I'll do my best not to forget! Judai-kun said that too. That everyone has the potential to be good at something, if they're willing to keep going and not let themselves be overcome by failures.

[helpusduelist]

Judai... ah yes. I almost felt tired after talking to him, like I'd gotten so hyped up on energy just by being close to him I expended that much myself. He's a simple child, it seems... but in a good way.

Especially because he is right. Talent helps, but in the end, it's the work that matters the most.

[fluffydeathdealer]

Un. Judai-kun's like that. But it's refreshing. That much joy in one place... you can't help but feel good around him.

He's hanging around my apartment a lot now. It's kind of encouraging, because he doesn't let your mood lower for long.

[helpusduelist]

He seems the type, yes. I wonder what sort of past could make one so cheerful? I'd like to hear about it, myself. It seems like it would certainly be interesting, if nothing else.