Check one angel and boy.

[valueofnothing]

[There's a new face wandering confusedly around Campus today! It's a young boy who's age is hard to tell -- likely somewhere between 14 and 17 -- who's dressed in some kind of weird medieval hoodie and pants with rather thick, metal-plated boots. The bag slung on his back is definitely big enough that he must be hauling a bunch of stuff, while the sword tied to the top of it has an odd sheath that's almost too ordinary.

Whoever he is, he appears to be completely lost, occasionally peering out of windows or looking into doors, as if he's trying to find someone or something. He looks almost terrified of any actual technology that he stumbles across and sometimes just stops in the middle of the hall to tilt his head, as if he's listening to some far-off voice.

For anyone with a high magical or spiritual sense, the boy is absolutely radiating a holy, angelic aura, to the point that it's almost visible. For everyone else, he seems completely normal, if with an odd, comforting aura instead.]

Comments

[fluffydeathdealer]

[The minute he feels that energy, the spirit retreats into the Ring, leaving a confused Ryou staring off into space as he tries to gather his senses. Where...? In the halls, right. Why? Not sure... But there's another boy standing nearby, with an equally thoughtful look on his face.]

Hello! Are you lost?

[valueofnothing]

[Zero seems a little surprised, turning to blink some at the older boy. Ah... another person.

After a moment's hesitation, he nods slightly, looking suddenly uncomfortable in Ryou's presence, almost as if he expects to be yelled at or something at any second.]

[fluffydeathdealer]

[Huh...? That awkward look... It throws him off and he fails to conjure up the words for a moment.]

What are you looking for? I might be able to help.

[valueofnothing]

[He presses a hand to his mouth thoughtfully, then gestures all around them at the surrounding area, giving Ryou a confused look.

Where is this be, strange white-haired person!]

[fluffydeathdealer]

...? Can't you talk?

[Poor thing... It fills Ryou's heart with pity, seeing that. From the gesture, he guesses the guy is new, too. What an unfortunate boy.]

It's kind of hard to explain. Everyone else is just as lost as you, and we can't get out yet. But this place is some kind of a non-functional school on an island. There's no connection to the outside world, but don't worry, okay? Whoever's waiting for you outside probably won't even notice you're missing.

[valueofnothing]

[At the question, Zero simply opens his mouth wide, showing Ryou the very noticeable lack of tongue... and very obvious method of removal. Namely, the fact that it looks like someone violently went at the inside of his mouth with a knife.

At the mention of someone waiting for him, his he looks away from Ryou, giving an uncaring shrug. There's no one waiting for him, after all... the only person who cares is nestled safely inside of him right now.

Still... a non-functioning school on an island with no outside connection... it could always be worse, he supposes.]

[fluffydeathdealer]

Uh- [He blinks and stares as the boy opens his mouth to show him... something. He shouldn't look, but-]

UWAH!

[Ryou stumbles backwards, falling over on his backside and covering his mouth in shock. Someone... someone really did that to a kid?! That was like something out of a horror movie!]

[valueofnothing]

[He jumps as Ryou yells, scrambling backwards and grabbing the hilt of the sword. But... then the other boy just falls over, staring at him in horror. Ah... that look...

His fingers slide off the grip and he adjusts the straps, turning to go with the air of someone all too used to that reaction, if for different reasons.]

[fluffydeathdealer]

... [Right, stupid, stupid, don't make the boy feel worse about his condition... It had to be bad enough being unable to talk, let alone having someone react like that...

Reaching out, he snags the boy's sleeve, to halt him.]

Sorry... I didn't mean to freak out.

[valueofnothing]

[The grip on his sleeve makes him jump again, but the soft words seem to just confuse him more than anything. He tilts his head a little, giving Ryou an unsure, baffled look, as if he's not entirely sure how to react to the apology.

He finally just nods a little awkwardly, trying to show he accepts it.]

[fluffydeathdealer]

[He smiles a little shyly, getting up off the ground and letting go of the boy's sleeve.]

I'm Ryou Bakura. Can you write in Japanese or English? I can grab some paper really fast, if you'd like.

[valueofnothing]

Writing will not be necessary, but I can relay that he appreciates the effort regardless.

[The voice is warm and gentle, calming like one would expect from a sweet older brother, or even a father. It's certainly not the boy's voice, being far too old for that...

And also, you know, echoing in Ryou's head.]

[fluffydeathdealer]

...eh?

[He'd be more shocked by the voice in his head if he wasn't used to such things. But new voices inside his head is still a surprise. He feels a little calmed by the tone of it, at least. There's something kind about the voice...]

Uhm. Excuse me, but who are you?

[joeywheeler]

[A certain blonde was wandering around the halls with a bit of a bored expression on his face, his hands shoved into the pockets of his jeans. He had been gone for awhile; apparently he had somehow clawed his way back to his own universe and battled his way through Duelist Kingdom, but he still hadn't gotten the chance to use the money to save Serenity before he got dumped back here. Because of this circumstance, he was absolutely miserable.

Unfortunately he didn't seem to be paying much attention to where exactly he was going, considering he walked straight into some weird kid in the middle of the hallway. He blinked, taken aback by the sudden obstacle, before he looked down to see the boy he knocked over.]

Oh, sorry kid, my bad. Ya alright?

[He asked, holding out a hand to help the guy up.]

[valueofnothing]

[Zero was not exactly used to people touching him in any way anymore -- really, most people were too afraid -- so being suddenly walked into and sent sprawling was kind of a new thing.

He glances up, blinking at the strange look of the teenager before glancing at the hand, somewhat warily and unsure.

After a moment, though, he takes it, getting back to his feet. There we go...]

[joeywheeler]

[Once he helped the other boy back up onto his feet he laughed awkwardly, rubbing his neck in embarrassment.]

Didn't mean ta walk right into ya. Guess I should be watchin' where I'm goin', huh?

[The smile that spread across his face was good natured and very friendly.]

Hey, now that I got a good look at ya, I ain't never seen you around before. You new ta this place?

[valueofnothing]

[That smile, that demeanor... it does the opposite of comforting him, instead putting him a little on edge. The people who were like that, they only ever really wanted something from him, or just wanted to get close enough to --

-- ...the look Joey is getting is almost reminisce of a rabbit, one foot half-up as if he's ready to run at any sign.]

[joeywheeler]

[Now, Joey wasn't so stupid as to not notice the sudden change in the boy's attitude. He seemed apprehensive, cautious... like he was about to run away at any moment. The blonde frowned.]

Uh, hey, I didn't mean ta scare ya. It's okay. Really. What's your name? I'm Joey, Joey Wheeler. I've been here for a little bit, but I'm still pretty new.

[valueofnothing]

[He tilts his head a little, confusion seeping in to mix with that unease. Why was this guy... someone he'd never met... being so nice? It's not something he's used to.

After a moment, he lifts his hand up, "drawing" a 0 in the air to answer the question.]

[joeywheeler]

[The brown-eyed boy looked just as confused then, raising an eyebrow and scratching his head. What was with that weird hand motion? It looked like he was making an "O" in the air. What was that about?]

Um... I don't really get what that means. Er, can... can ya talk?

[valueofnothing]

[Ah... that's a familiar question. In reply, he opens his mouth wide, letting Joey see the lasting scars of a knife that had viciously been yanked around in it and the very noticeable lack of a tongue from that harm.]

[joeywheeler]

[The teenager's eyes widened in shock, frozen there for a moment. Who could do such a thing like that? To this poor kid no less? He felt a rage boil beneath his veins for whoever did this to him. He hope they weren't here, as well, or else he would probably go berserk on that person.]

Holy... alright. Um. Is there anyway ya can show me what yer name is? Or was that hand motion supposed ta be it? Er... "O" somethin'?

[valueofnothing]

[The look of rage is one all too familiar and Zero takes a full step back, his hand dropping to the sword hilt as if he somehow assumed it was directed at him.

...and then the question comes up and confuses him again. After a moment, he mimes writing on his hand, trying to indicate a need for a pen and paper.]

[joeywheeler]

Oh-! It would probably be a good idea ta get paper, huh?

[He chuckled awkwardly.]

Okay, erm... I'm sure there's gotta be some in one of these rooms somewhere, this is a school after all. Come on, let's go check the rooms, kid.

[valueofnothing]

[Zero nods after a moment, still unsure, and falls into step behind and slightly to the side of Joey, much like someone following a prisoner or a person they intended to have in stabbing distance at all times.

It's nothing personal, really.]