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 face is carefully controlled, but there's a definite tenseness to his shoulders now. He's never forgotten this dangerous game he's playing with you... but things like that only reinforce his inherent caution.]

Hmph. Unless they willingly accepted your terms knowing very well what it entailed... I'm inclined to disagree with you. I'm glad to hear that Ryou fought you so strongly, inflicting such a thing on those he had tried to befriend.

[But that's interesting. So it's Ryou's will that makes Bakura plunge him into sleep... now he wonders if there's a way to guard Ryou against that as well.

...One step at a time.]

[fluffydeathdealer]

He fought me even with the pain of the Ring's defenses... That foolish child.

But I didn't say it was a view that humans would agree on. It's the rules of the game. Even if they don't know the consequences, once they accept the game... if they didn't ask, they still don't get away. They still have a chance at freedom even then - the soul-transfer is reversible... and recent events have proved it can be done multiple times if the initial loss has occured. But if nobody's willing to continue the game, then they're screwed.

'I won't let you hurt my friends'... What a strong-willed boy. He was willing to even sacrifice his own soul.

[helpusduelist]

...A good child.

[Henry closes his eyes, the note in his voice almost wistful. Perhaps it was a simple mind of his... but a child like Ryou was something he had dreamed of, if not exact. That he has such a son now is a wonderful comfort... but the feelings are still enough to make that ring true.

After all... Ryou hadn't decided yet. He could choose to stay home, but if he did... Henry's certain a piece of his heart would as well.]

[fluffydeathdealer]

His feelings for you are strong... I can tell. Even with his sleeping right now, that warmth resonates.

[He can't locate those memories, and nor does he want to. But that wistful tone... coupled with Ryou's loving feelings, it's strange.]

What is he to you, Henry Tudor? The way you act about him is something I don't understand.

[helpusduelist]

To me? Hm...

[Henry's eyes remain closed as he thinks.]

He's an example. As close to an angel as a simple human can get. He's soft and warm, giving me a view and a comfort I've never been allowed. ...He's a son, one that I've wished I could have to hold close to me. A son who tries to hold me close as well... who I can look to, and who I can feel looking up to me.

He's important... very much so. Not the most important thing here by far... but one I would give up most anything personally for.

[fluffydeathdealer]

...

Heh. No wonder he loves you. You're practically complementing his nature.

But admitting such a thing so openly to me... is it really wise?

[helpusduelist]

No less wise than telling you about where, precisely, the souls of my monsters are, is it? Or do you intend to use him against me?

The latter seems a bit unnecessary... you already know that I'm willing to make a deal with you, after all, aren't I?

[fluffydeathdealer]

I don't intend anything in regards to my host. As long as I can keep using this body, he can do what he likes with whoever he wants.

...Assuming he doesn't get it into his head to start kissing Yugi or something.

Unfortunately, I don't feel inclined to simply abandon this body.

[helpusduelist]

I never said that you were.

[Henry leaves it at that. No need to let Bakura in on his plans... especially since he has no idea how well any of them will work.

Instead, he sweeps his cards off the duel disk, storing them away despite Eria's slightly disappointed whine.]

...How do I turn this thing off?

[fluffydeathdealer]

It'll shut off on its own if detached, but there's a switch, too. Here. On the underside.

[He points it out.]

[helpusduelist]

[Henry flips the switch, moving it off his arm and rubbing that spot a little.]

Those must take some getting used to in order to wear for long periods of time.

[fluffydeathdealer]

Once I got mine, it literally never left my arm until I ended up in hospital. I didn't notice the strain. It feels familiar, somehow. Like my mind recognized it.

But I don't think most people who wear them took them off too often during that tournament.

[helpusduelist]

Hmm. It must be like a sword. Carry it enough and the weight becomes a comfort, so much so that it feels odd when you don't have it.

[fluffydeathdealer]

I wouldn't know anything about that. But I know I felt uncomfortable after I lost mine to Kaiba.

[helpusduelist]

...I wasn't aware you carried a sword.

[fluffydeathdealer]

...

[He's got to be kidding.]

I meant my duel disk! I've never wielded a sword in my life.

[helpusduelist]

[Henry laughs, unable to keep the expression.]

Yes, I know.

[King be straight-up trollin', yo.]

[fluffydeathdealer]

O-oy! You...!

[He snickers, realizing how easily he'd been tricked.]

Not bad. I fell for it.

[helpusduelist]

I hadn't thought you would. Nice to know even you can still be tricked.

[fluffydeathdealer]

Kh, even I get fooled... as annoying as it is. Or didn't you notice how many times your monsters have startled me?

[helpusduelist]

Oh, I notice. I just wanted to try my own hand at it.

[fluffydeathdealer]

Oy... I don't mind it so much, but shouldn't you behave a little nicer?

[helpusduelist]

I'm perfectly nice, aren't I?

[fluffydeathdealer]

I wonder... But I don't find you annoying, so that's close enough.

[helpusduelist]

I'll take that as a compliment.

[Henry stretches a little, glancing at the door.]

Well. I suppose I should take my leave before Malik arrives.