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]

[Ryou returns after a moment, a small box held carefully in his arms. He sounds pleased.]

It looks like Malik-kun isn't home yet, so it didn't take long at all.

[helpusduelist]

That's a relief. I'd rather not deal with him any more than I have to.

[Sorry Ryou, he's still kind of sore Malik's other self killed one of his friends.]

[fluffydeathdealer]

You and me both... I never know whether to run away from him or not.

[He rubs his mouth a little awkwardly, unconsciously. Ugh... he still remembers that taste.]

[helpusduelist]

[Henry's expression darkens considerably.]

Has he done something to you?

[fluffydeathdealer]

Uhm. Nothing I can talk about in polite company.

[Sigh. If he's vague, it should be fine, right?]

It's my fault. I wanted to find out how far he and... the other me... had gotten. And how... uhm. Safe, he'd been. Especially since he did this sort of... blood oath thing using my body that he tried to get me to agree to. It's not safe mixing blood like that, and... uhm. Other things can be even less safe.

[Gah, talking about this stuff is weird... He keeps fidgetting.]

But he wouldn't answer me directly. So I had to tease him a little until he snapped at me and admitted it. And then he kind of... got the other me to let me wake up... in a bit of an awkward situation.

[helpusduelist]

[Blood oath... Henry suddenly looks very tense, as if he's holding a mirror that could smash at any moment.]

Did you take it? Not the Spirit. Did you take that oath?

[fluffydeathdealer]

No. I told him that I wasn't going to be bound by it. When he insisted, I told him that I didn't want to be a part of anything like that, and that it didn't matter, because I wasn't going to do anything to hurt him anyway as long as he didn't try to get me involved in his crimes.

It seemed to satisfy him.

[helpusduelist]

[Henry relaxes immensely, sighing as if he'd been holding his breath the entire time.]

Thank the Lord...

[fluffydeathdealer]

I'm not stupid. Even if Malik-kun and I are getting along a little, I know what he and the other me are like.

Besides... it was insulting. Like he thinks I'm as underhanded as he is.

I think it's the first time I've ever told him off.

[helpusduelist]

Heh... I'm glad to hear you had it in you.

[Henry rests his hand in Ryou's hair, then continues.]

You're my son, now. Which means you're a part of our side. I know that idea is likely unwelcome to you... but what it means is that, if Malik wishes to keep this alliance intact, he can no longer hurt you. Regardless of who is in control, that is your body that is being abused, and doing so is an open attack, as far as I'm concerned.

I'm doubtful the talk will go over quite that well... but I will not stand by and watch you be hurt any longer.

[fluffydeathdealer]

It wasn't an attack... It was just really inappropriate. And kind of disgusting.

But I appreciate it. It's bad enough with one person abusing this body, and I can't stop the other me, but two of them messing with me is really annoying.

[He relaxes a little, heaving a sigh of relief.]

But if there's another him, I understand a little why he keeps snapping at me. He must be feeling bad about having that person inside of him and doesn't have anywhere else to vent it.

[helpusduelist]

Vocal anger is one thing. Physical is quite another. Even I will snap at someone from time to time, but I have never struck anyone.

Even if what you woke to wasn't an attack, any further abuse on you after our talk will be considered so. Whether or not that will stop him... well, we'll have to see.

[Sigh.]

I wish we could offer to let you stay with us, but even if we had the room, I sincerely doubt the Spirit would be that accommodating.

[fluffydeathdealer]

I doubt it too... But you can ask him, if you want. I left him in the refrigerator.

[Struck anyone...

He lifts his hand to the new cut on his face, frowning. He doesn't know for sure, but...]

Can you... ask the other me something for me if you do? He won't answer me.

[helpusduelist]

Hah. I'd have to speak with Rosenkreuz about if the barrier can be made to refuse entry if there's even a hint of the Ring's power, but I suppose it can't hurt.

[Hm?]

Certainly. What is it?

[fluffydeathdealer]

I... woke up the other day with my side... hurting really badly. And the burn there was torn right open under the bandages. On top of that, there were bruises on my neck, like finger marks... and this cut, right here.

I want to know where it came from.

[helpusduelist]

[...And there goes that anger burning again.]

I have a good idea where that was from... but I will ask, yes.

[fluffydeathdealer]

[Meep.]

Un. Thank you. Then, shall we?

...I brought some cream puffs too. They're in the box.

[helpusduelist]

[Henry breathes slowly, getting himself under control and nodding. No need to get riled up. It wouldn't help anything.]

Ah... thank you.

[He smiles again, pausing when they reach the Rose dorm.]

Give me just a moment, if you will. I'll grab the box.

[fluffydeathdealer]

Un. I understand.

[Seeing Henry calm down is a relief. He really needs to stop being open with people he likes... it just upsets them. Obediently, he waits, rearranging the figures inside the box secretively as he does. A little closer... There.]

[helpusduelist]

[Unfortunately for Henry, he can recognize when his thoughts overstep what's proper to do. Being calmed down makes him realize the rashness of what he said, and with the type of man Malik is...

Sigh. At least he's always made a habit of thinking about things before acting on them, which in this case...

He returns before too long, a somber look on his face and a box under his arm.]

Ryou.

[fluffydeathdealer]

[He starts, looking over at him.]

Yes? Do you need help?

[helpusduelist]

No, it's not that. [Sigh.] I apologize. I got... a bit carried away. Approaching Malik in the way I intended... I fear that would cause more harm than it would good.

Still... I can at least offer you myself if you need someone to turn to. Whatever the problem... I feel better knowing that you can trust me enough to tell me. And that you trust me enough to at least stop myself from doing something too rash to hurt any of us.

I'll still speak with Rosenkreuz about the possibility of editing that barrier, at the least. So... please forgive me.

[fluffydeathdealer]

[...is that all? He smiles brightly at Henry, friendly as ever.]

It's fine! I don't hold any malice towards you. I promise. As long as you can forgive me for upsetting you, I don't mind. I don't have a reason to be angry that you can't do anything. After all, that's what we're working towards, right?

But I wonder... maybe Rosenkreuz-san can make it that way easier if he encounters the Ring and I separately and manages to find a distinction between them?

[helpusduelist]

[...Heh. How could he have doubted that? Henry smiles, nodding gently.]

I'd rather be upset and understand it than anything else. Being upset, at least, is easy enough to cool, but not knowing... that's worse.

[Hm...]

That might be a way to do it, yes... I'll see what he says.

[fluffydeathdealer]

Then that's fine! I'll tell you anything, okay? I trust you, after all.