CAMPUS WIDE EVENT: EVERYTHING AND THE KITCHEN SINK

[intercom_voice]

[Hopefully everybody likes waking up outside.

Because as it were, in the middle of the night when everybody had been asleep or lulled into a sudden one by the sheer weight of the air around them...the Campus disappeared in its entirety. Left behind was only the cool surface of the concrete foundation.

For now it seems the residents were left to fend for themselves in the wilderness of the island. Not even the voice from over the intercom would comfort them.]

((ooc: the school has disappeared, along with all the NPCs and everything that was inside! no opt-out areas this time around. The temperature is cool during the day, and colder at night.

The event will last until October 20th, and I'll post a closer to signify it. Everything will be returned to its rightful place then.))

Comments

[whiterosefoes]

... Hmm. [Information pertaining to their escape is valuable, although she doubts they have anything that good since they're still around. Still, if it's only for another hint, then it could be worth it.]

All right. You seemed a bit mystified by my earlier hint. For that information, I'll clarify it.

[obeytherod]

Fair enough. [Clarity, for now, is the most he expected to get out of Harriet. If he had that, he might be able to start figuring out their duel style by himself...

Bakura already told him a few interesting tidbits about the monsters being in their souls, and the duelists from their time only needing to summon the monsters in physical form, as opposed to spiritual and physical like he and Bakura.]

Then I'll start. The barrier doesn't seem to be physical, or electric...me and Bakura got close to it on Two-Headed Behemoth, but then as soon as we neared the edge of the island Behemoth was suddenly returned to his card and sent us plummeting. So whatever it is, it's definitely a type of magic, which isn't that hard to believe considering what just happened today.

[whiterosefoes]

I see. Simply returned to his card, huh... That's not a kind of magic I've encountered before. Did anything else stand out?

[obeytherod]

No. Nothing else.

[whiterosefoes]

All right.

In a war duel, the cards in your deck are your army. An army requires a leader - that's why I asked your favorite.

[obeytherod]

...! [His eyes are the only thing that betray his shock, and even that is swiftly covered up. It made sense now that he thought about it. That must explain the thematic armor they would summon upon starting a duel.

Malik may not have a favourite in the more affectionate use of the word, but he did have a card he felt a far stronger connection with and ease of summoning than others.]

I see. Then I know which card to pick.

[whiterosefoes]

[Harriet notices that shock, and smiles a bit quizzically in response. Seriously, Malik... she's glad that it's big news to him since it means she doesn't have to give him anything actually great, but he really should have been able to figure this out just by looking at them, she thinks. They summon this armor all the time. She's wearing it now. But oh well - works out for her. She nods.]

You're a step closer then. [She's a little curious which card he picked... but she won't ask. Don't want to seem too interested in his progress, after all.]

[obeytherod]

[He should have that "army leader" of his come out more often, then. It's too bad his deck disappeared with the school, because this would have been the best time to have spare monsters on hand.]

...I wonder what it would take for something to "change between us". [He tilts his head, smiling coyly.]

You obviously don't trust me, and I don't blame you for that, but on an island this small the more allies we have the better, right?

Especially when I'm so close to finding us a way out...

[whiterosefoes]

You think you're close, [she corrects him.] I have my doubts, especially when the cost of failure is higher for me than it is for you. You already know my concerns about your dark side, which even you said could not be changed. And there would be no way to prove that anyway.

[obeytherod]

My dark side... [Malik frowns, losing his usual demeanor in favour of something much more grave. Is this really what it was going to take to convince her? He could live with that; it was a concern of his too.] I know how to get rid of him, but I need to get out of here to do it.

I know what triggers him now, so don't see myself at any risk of him coming out, but if he does... Well, I won't say kill me on sight, but if you can't get through to me...

Then do what you must. I give you permission. Just do it before I have a chance to hurt Bakura again.

[whiterosefoes]

Yes but the glaring hole in that plan is that the more I taught you, the harder it would be for me to actually do that.... there's also your God card I have to consider.

[obeytherod]

Well, nobody knows my own deck better than me, right? I'll let you familiarize yourself with it as compensation. As for Ra, that will just have to be the risk.

[It's not as if he planned on attacking any of them once he'd learned; Malik just wanted to make summoning Ra less taxing.

Besides, if it came down to that he might still be able to activate his soul fragment even with his darker half commanding his body.]

But maybe I'll keep the God card off my person~ [That arrogance is back.]

[whiterosefoes]

Um, no actually, it doesn't have to be the risk. Because I don't have to risk it. I have no obligation to whatsoever! So that will be sorted out, or it's not going to happen.

[after a beat, she sighs] ... Though, if I'm already to be the cleanup crew for your madder half, then you could just let me hold onto it for you.

[taking the enemy's greatest weapon from him... even if she couldn't use it, that'd almost be worth it.]

[obeytherod]

Feh... [Well he has the counterfeit Ra card, so it's really not a problem. Chances are Harriet wouldn't be able to tell anyway.]

If that's what it takes-- [Malik starts to agree, but suddenly Bakura's scolding words creep into his mind: When you're trying to offer a false copy of something, don't seem too eager. . . Make it seem like your last resort!]

No. You think I'm just going to give up my God card to you as collateral? That would be completely foolish! [He folds his arms.] There has to be something else... I could offer you a fragment of my soul.

[whiterosefoes]

A fragment of your soul. I see.

Well that sounds perfectly reasonable, and not at all creepy, useless or potty.

[obeytherod]

Kehkeh, that just shows how naive you really are! Think of it this way... If something goes wrong, you can break the item I sealed my fragment in. You'll be killing a part of my soul.

It causes physical pain sharp enough to cripple, if only for a few minutes. Do you see where I'm going with this?

[Actually, if she accepts this offer, he could probably live with it. After all, a soul fragment in their dorm and outside of Harriet's body could be useful. More than that, if his dark half does take over again...that would give them time to stop him.

Still, he'd rather give her the counterfeit Ra card.]

[whiterosefoes]

Can I have the part of your soul that's a psychotic killer with bad hair?

[just sayin]

[obeytherod]

[Malik grits his teeth, not finding her snide comment funny.] If I could do that, I would have!

[whiterosefoes]

Have you tried?

[obeytherod]

... [Well, no, but--

Malik growls in slight frustration, but then seems to simmer down a bit as he begins to explain himself.] There's no discretion when you seal a piece of your soul. I can't pick and choose, and even if I could, I don't know how to separate him from the rest of myself.

[whiterosefoes]

Well, see? That's totally useless. And I don't want it.

[Really, she just thinks souls sound like terrible currency. The concept leaves a bad taste in her mouth, however fleeting a vindictive satisfaction it might be to crush his jerk soul in an object.]

[obeytherod]

No? [That was too bad; he'd already figured out a way he could fake giving her an actual portion of his soul if he so desired.]

Then what else can I offer you? Besides Ra.

[whiterosefoes]

Unless you have a better solution to the problem, I don't think that's possible.

[obeytherod]

Well I already told you, I don't see myself at risk any more. That plus the knowledge of my deck should be more than enough! [His voice raises even in his frustration.

Of course he was only acting.]

[whiterosefoes]

Well it isn't, so tough shit. To be honest, I've humored you on this for far too long. My interest in this venture had already waned even before I met you today, it's high time you gave up on it.