the_campus | Masquerade Christmas Party!

Entry tags:

yugioh dotr

Masquerade Christmas Party!

[Likely to the surprise of most people, the lounge in the Campus has been re-purposed today. Anyone trying to come by has gotten blocked by some strange little girl (or boy), who wouldn't let them in no matter what. Now, near the end of the day, the doors are no longer guarded, and it's easy to see why just looking in.

With Jack and Mahad's help, Henry's decorated the lounge in a very masquerade-party-esque design, with masks hung at the door for anyone who didn't (or couldn't) bring their own, a lot of refreshments of all kinds (both modern and from his time in England), and some music he's managed to rig up through some things he found in the Campus. There's a Christmas tree sort of awkwardly pushed in the corner, with the main area of the room empty of everything for chatting or dancing while a few more comfortable chairs line the wall with the usual tables.

Henry himself might be hard to spot, because for once, that hair of his doesn't give him away. Thanks to Jack's help, it's been tied back and dyed completely black, with a mask and a simple silk outfit further hiding him; after all, it's very rare he's out of his armor, and his deck is safely hidden inside of his clothing.

At the moment, he's simply hovering near the edge of the room, watching everyone quietly and musingly.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

... [Bakura narrows his eyes at that. If this Ryou could take the Ring off, then "getting away from him" wouldn't be a problem at all. So then why?

He remembers, faintly, that the other him could make the Ring fly. That must have something to do with it.

Casually, he releases Ryou's arm and steps back.]

As ungrateful as always, I see! You didn't ask, but I could hear your thoughts, remember? H-heh...but it doesn't matter. You're not the same as my Master.

[Bakura holds his hands up, looking at them thoughtfully and turning them over. Then, just as casually he sets them at his sides. Another time, he'll have to catch Ryou with the Ring on.

Blinking, Ryou looks up at Aniki with a perplexed expression.]

A-aniki? Are you okay?

...

[Ungrateful? Had he truly... wished for that sort of thing to happen? The seed of doubt was settled in his mind now. But...

He wasn't the Ryou that the other Bakura was possessing... so why the hell did he have to bother with that at all? Just to antagonize him? Irritation tints his mind, for once feeling actually...

Angry.

That's right. He felt angry. It was rare for him to be angry for his own sake, but... this time, he truly felt a surge of rage that would have surely amused his past self.]

I'm fine, Shoutei.

[The words are hard to say somehow. He has to force them out.]

Do you want something to drink?

[There's a bit of a break in his memory, but he's not sure. It was short and he'd been in the same spot, so it's hard to tell if it was a break at all.

He nods absentmindedly.]

U-un, that sounds nice, but...are you sure? I didn't say anything weird, did I?

[If it was the spirit, Aniki would let him know, right? He was the only one who understood what he was going through now.]

[Neither of them are going to have to go get the drinks, it seems, because there's suddenly two glasses being offered by the king.]

Are you all right? [After a moment:] Both of you?

Sankyuu, father.

[Rubbing his arm awkwardly - it doesn't hurt, but he still feels a chill from those fingers - he manages an utterly forced smile as he takes his glass. His fingers are trembling just slightly, but it's like Henry just broke a spell. All at once, the tension in his shoulders eases off and he relaxes. That's right... he's safe, here. Totally, utterly safe.]

I'm fine. I just got... a little spooked.

[Looking over at the other Ryou, he sips his drink before continuing, addressing him now.]

You didn't do anything, Shoutei. It's fine. I'm not hurt or anything.

[Father? There's no way this guy was his dad! Ryou gives Aniki a skeptical look, as well as the stranger, before obligingly taking a drink and bowing his head in thanks.]

I'm fine, thank you...

[He glances back at his other self, glad again that the kitsune mask hide his face entirely, because he looked distraught beneath it.

That emphasis on "you"...]

I'm sorry. [He wanted to say more, but couldn't with that man here, so he'll just leave it at this:] I'll just try to talk with him later.

[Reaching out a hand, he gently grasps the other Ryou's shoulder.]

It's not your fault. You're not responsible for his actions. Besides, he wouldn't have gotten away with doing anything here. There's too many people around. It's safe here.

[Whoops. He noticed that skeptical look. Lifting a hand to rub the back of his head, he laughs a little, sheepishly. It really is a little bit awkward, isn't it...]

It's a bit of an awkward meeting, but... Shoutei, this is my adopted father, Henry. Father, this is... well.

[Awkwarrrrd.]

Me.

[Whatever worried thoughts Henry was having about what happened, they're confirmed at that line. There was really only one thing he could be reassuring the other of, and only one thing he could think of that would make his son tremble like that...

He inclines his head politely at the other Ryou, gently placing his hand on his own's shoulder to give a bit of comfort, smiling gently.]

A pleasure to meet you.

[Ryou bristles, not having wanted someone else to hear about his "little" problem so casually, but it's too late. What's been said is said. Maybe Henry didn't know about the spirit, so he was just assuming Ryou was talking about a rowdy friend?

All he can do is be thankful for his mask and bow politely for a second time.]

The same to you, Henry-san. [Adoptive father, though? Really? He glances back at Ryou, as dubious as ever. What would his real father think?

He shakes his hand and brings a hand up to the Ring hidden beneath his shirt. Maybe he could just rip it off really fast and chuck it?

A small laugh in his head suggests otherwise.]

[...he can tell what that look means. He didn't mean to upset him, but since Henry knows about his little problem, he would figure it out pretty easily. And he had deliberately used the same vague terms that Ryou had.

Smiling at Henry, he relaxes fully at last, calm now.]

I'll explain properly later, Shoutei. It's a long story and it's not really fit for a party. Why don't you come over later, or tomorrow? I'll cook you dinner and explain everything there.

[That way, he can work everything out and explain it without fear of being listened in on by the other people here.]

In the meantime, please just try to enjoy the party. It's a really cool experience.

[He nods at the invitation, silently agreeing to it. Maybe that would be for the best. While he's there, he can tell Aniki about Rin-chan too.

But as far as having fun goes...]

I'll try, Aniki. [He brings his glass up to take a sip, but knocks it into his mask instead and spills some on himself.] Ahh! Oh no!

[Henry can't help but laugh a little at that, shaking his head some. No matter if it was a different version or universe, his son really was cute at times.]

It's a little difficult to eat or drink until you get used to the mask. I'll go get you a towel.

[He doesn't leave right away, however, lowering his voice quietly and still speaking gently.]

And I know about the Ring and its... inhabitant. There's nothing to fear from me regarding that.

[Ryou was about to thank Henry when he continued on, the confession easing his nerves a little. Not having to hide it was a relief, but not the core of the issue.

He speaks back quietly as well.]

Thank you, Henry-san, but if you know that much, then you'll know it's not you I'm afraid of.

Yes, I do. And all I can say is that you don't need to worry. Jack is here, I am here, and both of us can call upon our monsters. Even if we couldn't, Mahad is here as well. If that spirit tries anything, he will not get away with it.

So please... at least try to relax and enjoy yourself. And tell me if I can help.

[He blinks a few times, looking a bit shocked. He's thankful for the sentiment, but Ryou has no idea who either of those people are! Let alone what this guy means by calling upon his monsters--wait, monsters?!]

...Um, okay.

[He glances sidelong at Aniki.]

[He has to laugh. That's such a flood of information that he's sure his younger alternate doesn't have a clue about.]

The easiest way to explain it, Shoutei, is that father is basically a 'Diabolist'.

[The Monster World class that specialized in dealing with devils. It was the closest thing he could offer as an explanation.]

Oh, right, o-of course!

[Oh god what kind of people is he dealing with here?! First spirit-possessed Ancient Egyptian artifacts, then Lisa explodes in the bathroom or something, then his roommate turns out to be a robot, and now real-life Diabolists--what next?!]

[Lifting a hand, he pats him on the head in a comforting manner. Speaking in a soft and comforting tone, reminiscent of someone's mother, he smiles brightly.]

Now, now... You'll get used to it.

And I assure you, my monsters are far from intimidating unless they want to be.

[As if on cue, Lyna appears in spirit form, giggling and waving at the other Ryou as her fairy chitters happily.]

But I'll return momentarily.

[Brb, grabbing towel.]

[Ryou has a distinct feeling that he'll have to get used to it.. He hangs his head and sighs as his Aniki pats it.

...But then, seeing that little spirit girl? He just screams.]

G-g-ghooost!

Ah! It's okay, Shoutei! She's nice. This is Lyna-san, and she's one of Father's summons.

[Lyna nods in agreement, smiling brightly and holding her hand out in a friendly way. She gives a sound which is clearly apologetic; she didn't mean to scare you!]

One of his what?

[This was really too much to take in! Ryou gives the girl another look, wincing a little.]

...Um, hi? [He smiles nervously (not that they can see it), awkwardly waving a hand.]

He can summon the monsters he's allied to. She's in spiritual form right now, so she can't really speak or even properly touch. Anything she can do will be harmless. So there's nothing to worry about, even if she was hostile, which she isn't.

[Even without seeing the look on his face, he can see the signs that the other teen is overwhelmed.]

Sorry, Shoutei. It's been a bit of a roller-coaster for you today, hasn't it?

... [Ryou just nods, averting his eyes from the strange spirit girl.]

It would have been nice to learn one thing at a time instead of all at once--I mean--not that I'm complaining! It's just...

[SIGH]

Masquerade Christmas Party!

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)