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]

I can feel his pain. It took the Spirit a couple of minutes to actually tell me how to put this one on.

[Henry laughs a bit sheepishly, shaking his head.]

I felt like a young child being patiently explained something obvious by his teacher. It's easy now that I understand it, but before, it seemed about as possible as walking to the sky.

[fluffydeathdealer]

But isn't it natural to be confused? It's not like you've ever seen anything like it before, right, Henry?

[A telling sign. He didn't even know 'that'.]

Jounouchi-kun couldn't get it on easily either. Kaiba-kun just insulted him for it though.

[helpusduelist]

[...Heh. Good boy, Ryou. He's proud of you.]

That's certainly true enough. And from what little I saw of Kaiba, that seems about fitting. I feel a bit sorry for Rosenkreuz; he's always so proud of his family line, and yet the one he meets here is... less than graceful.

[fluffydeathdealer]

...

Kaiba-kun's a good person, but... he doesn't care for anything but himself and Mokuba-kun. He's not a bad person; he'll help people, if curtly... but he's really cold-hearted. It's like a mask to shut out anything that might get close. He's really smart, and kind of powerful, but it's like he's afraid of letting other people in.

Or maybe he just doesn't want them in his heart. He thinks 'meaningless' things like politeness or fun or anything like that are just... unnecessary.

[A soft sigh. If it weren't for those tells, it might be impossible to tell those two apart without outside knowledge.]

[helpusduelist]

[Indeed it would, but the tells are plenty. As it is, Henry stops playing with the duel disk, shifting to wrap an arm around around Bakura's shoulders and petting his hair a little.]

Some people are like that, unfortunately. Some pain in their past has taken a part of their soul and they can't find it in themselves to open to anyone but those who are already close.

[There's a hint of familiarity in that voice. Henry certainly knows what it is to keep people at a distance, though his attitude is polite rather than cruel.]

If you say that he's good... then all I can feel for him is pity.

[fluffydeathdealer]

[He starts internally more than he does outside, though 'Ryou' looks over at Henry as if surprised. What the hell is with this informality...? He'd seen the two of them together before, but they seemed a lot less... close. Draw away, or stay? Which is more suspicious? He isn't sure.

He leans into it, closing his eyes after a moment. Even if he's found out, there's something in that touch that's appealing.]

I'm sure of it. Kaiba-kun shows warmth to only one person, but I've seen that warmth in him. He's callous and cold, and treats everyone as if they're beneath him save that person, but there's hints of kindness there too. He won't forgive people who pick on the weak, even if he'll deride them until they're no longer able to stand it. And I think... in his own way, he's kind of trying to spur people on. He doesn't want people to break. He just wants them to stop being weak. I think Kaiba-kun hates weakness most of all.

But it's all conjecture at this point. Kaiba won't admit to anything easily.

[helpusduelist]

While his goal is certainly admirable, the way he goes about it is unfortunate. It's true that some people need a rival or talking down to be motivated to become strong, but there are others who respond better to a firm hand or a soft encouragement. For such people, harsh snarling will only make them feel it isn't worth it, or that they're somehow in a spot they cannot ever be stronger.

[He continues the petting lightly, as if he hasn't a care in the world and didn't notice the surprise. It's a gentle, affectionate touch, like a parent trying to soothe a fussy child.]

Hopefully, someone can show him that eventually.

[fluffydeathdealer]

[How calming... he doesn't remember anyone acting like this around him before. Even Malik's touches to his hair, and those of Karasu, were different. Not so soothing. Not so peaceful. It's harder to keep up his act when he feels like this.]

I think... Kaiba-kun sees everyone in the same way as himself. He's spurred on by rivalry, so he doesn't see why other people wouldn't.

He thinks I'm hopeless, you know? Because I'm always polite and willing to do what people tell me, within reason. I don't see why I shouldn't. But he says that people don't deserve consideration or politeness, because respect is earned, and shouldn't be offered to people who haven't earned it.

[helpusduelist]

[And Henry feels relaxed against him, almost. Unlike the always-alert king feeling he puts out usually.]

Hah... it's hard for him to imagine that others don't think the way he does, is it? I've met a few like that before.

[More soft petting, Henry leaning into Bakura a little.]

And that is where he's wrong, most of all. He is partly right; true respect should not be given out so easily, and must always be earned. But there is a base amount of respect all people should be treated with until they prove that they deserve more or less than that. If you refuse to give even that basic level... then people don't feel inclined to give you respect either, even if you earn it fair and square.

[He leans over, gently placing a kiss on that soft hair, soothingly.]

...By the by...

[fluffydeathdealer]

...?

[He opens an eye at that, feeling curious.]

What is it, Henry?

[helpusduelist]

[The look on his face is absolutely mischievous, matching the grins his Charmers give.]

If you desired affection and contact that much, Spirit, you could have just asked.

1/?

[fluffydeathdealer]

...?

2/?

[fluffydeathdealer]

[He figured it out?!]

3/?

[fluffydeathdealer]

What are you saying, Henry?

4/5

[fluffydeathdealer]

Making jokes like that isn't very funny, you know!

5/5

[fluffydeathdealer]

I'm not any such thing!

[howdidhefigureitoutwhythehelldidhefigureitoutitwasthosespiritswasn'titgoddammitthosespiritswhyyyyy]

[helpusduelist]

[Henry just laughs, petting his hair affectionately and not bothering to move away.]

You're an actor among actors, Spirit, but even you can't hide the feeling of your soul. None of us were fooled.

[fluffydeathdealer]

Oy. I'm not a puppy.

[As if on cue, his hair flicks back up into its naturally spiky state, eyes narrowing into that usual manner.]

Too bad... But I wanted to see how easily you could pick it up anyway.

[helpusduelist]

I knew it the entire time, Spirit. I simply saw no problem with letting you get close, seeing as you weren't giving any sense of hostility.

[He leaves his arm where it is, bringing the Duel Disk around to mess with it a bit more. It's easy enough to get out if Bakura wants, but Henry isn't making him move.]

[fluffydeathdealer]

I'm surprised... I didn't realize you and my host were so comfortable with one another.

[Wriggling out of that embrace now, and trying to hide his embarassment. And what better way but with teasing?]

Should I be concerned about what you two do when I'm alone here?

[helpusduelist]

Hah! If it were like that, I would have bedded Jack a long time ago.

[Nope, teasing still doesn't work. Good try though.]

Ryou is much like a child, so is it a surprise I feel that way towards him?

[fluffydeathdealer]

Who knows? You could have been planning a threesome.

[Such a pity. He'd like to see that cheerful face filled with surprise and embarassment.]

Heh... that's because he is a child, remember? You should have seen him when he was younger!

[helpusduelist]

With all due respect, if I intend to sleep for recreation rather than childbearing, I'd certainly not make it a public affair!

[He chuckles, going back to playing with the Disk.]

I may have to ask him about that sometime.

[fluffydeathdealer]

Heh heh... You'd be surprised. Someone like that, coming from such a lonely childhood... it's impressive, even if it's stupid.

[helpusduelist]

Care to share with me, then?