For moderndaydragon and fluffydeathdealer

[shadowscall]

[Kai's managed to dig up at least two books on memories, but they aren't as simple as 'How to recover lost memories in five easy steps'. The books he's found look to be similar to the spellbooks he's studying from, and that means he's definitely going to need Karasu's help going through them. Even if they find something useful, he wouldn't dare try to cast anything on her; he's hoping it'll at least point them in the right direction. Kai has a sneaking suspicion the Creeper's involved in the mess somewhere, just based on what Karasu had told him.

Honestly, if it weren't for Ryou...

Kai takes another bite of his carrot stick and glances over at the closed bedroom door from where he's sprawled on the couch, flipping through pages. He'd put Surge in just a while ago, and so far the big Labrador's being as quiet as a mouse.]

Comments

[moderndaydragon]

[Oof. She'll let him do that for now, petting still. If he rolls over, she'll get his belly!]

Anubis?

Also, he's acting pretty calm around me... I guess I don't smell enough like a dragon to worry him, huh?

[shadowscall]

[Probably won't take long for that. Surge likes his belly rubs.]

Yeah, Malik's dog. I don't know who else has one, and Surge needs to socialize. It's the most awkward thing ever, those two playing and Malik and I just...not getting along.

[Kai leans against the door frame, tapping the glass absently.] They need to be with their own kind sometimes, though.

[And Surge would like his belly rubs now please! He flips over, feet in the air as his tail thumps against the floor.]

He's a pretty good judge of character.

[Also an excellent Creeper alarm. Quiet laughter forever.]

[moderndaydragon]

Ah, right.

[Belly rubs for the big doggie! Karasu seems to be pretty comfortable like this; it is relaxing in the way, with a good friend and an adorable puppy here.]

Maybe I should have gotten one... it would at least make my dorm a little less quiet.

[shadowscall]

If they ever start spilling out of nowhere again like that, I can grab one for you? In case they start disappearing before I can find you. But you're welcome to visit with Surge anytime.

[Really, Kai's not sure where that tidal wave of dogs went. This place is beyond weird. He moves over to the pair and kneels down next to Karasu, offering her the water.]

Here, I can distract him for a bit.

[Big old goof of a dog.]

[moderndaydragon]

I'd appreciate that! A husky if you can: they and German Shepards are my favorite breeds.

[She takes the glass, shifting a little to drink it comfortably without deseating Surge.]

That's all right. I don't mind it that much. I missed having an animal.

[shadowscall]

I'll keep an eye out then.

[He doubts it'll happen again anytime soon, but maybe he'll get lucky. Being dumb enough to ask the intercom lady would probably result in Surge disappearing, so he'll keep his mouth shut.]

I never had one. [Kai reaches down and scratches Surge's belly, laughing as the dog twists around to lick at his hand.] We lived in an apartment, and mom thought a dog was too much work. Actually, she compared the idea of having one to my uncle visiting. He was- is pretty energetic. Asked for a hamster once, but the sound they make when they skitter around reminded her too much of Shadows, so.

[Boy, that'd been a fun conversation for a kid to have.]

What'd you have before?

[moderndaydragon]

Thank you.

[Hee. More bellyrubs for the doggie!]

I had a German Shepard from my father. His name was Mamoru and I loved him almost more than my dad did. He was an old dog when my... [Hesitation.] ...Well, he passed on. I hadn't had a pet since.

[shadowscall]

Welcome.

[Surge is the happiest dog right now. Belly rubs from the dork-in-charge and his new friend? He loves you both so much right now.]

That's...I'm sorry. Sure you want another German Shepard? I mean, memories- but whatever you want, if one turns up.

[Kai shifts a little uncomfortably before focusing on trying to grab one of Surge's feet. He's rewarded by being nipped at, and he snorts, tugging gently at his hind leg again.]

[moderndaydragon]

Mamoru was an old dog and whenever I think about him, I just remember how happy I was to play with him and the good things about my father. It doesn't bring up any real bad memories, so I'm sure.

[She laughs a little, poking Surge's belly.]

Don't like your feet being tugged on?

[shadowscall]

Okay. Maybe one'll knock me over in the halls, like this weirdo.

[Kai grins a bit before pulling away to dig in the closet.]

He likes actual tug of war a lot better...where's that toy- I found the weirdest thing for him. He really likes- ha!

[Kai sits back on his knees and dangles a really weird shaggy toy in front of Karasu.]

This! He snuggles with it when he's not trying to pull it's legs off.

[Surge lets out a sharp bark and scrambles to his feet, latching onto one of said legs and trying to pull the toy away from Kai.]

[moderndaydragon]

I don't think I've seen that before.

[She laughs as Surge grabs for it, shifting to let her legs stretch out and get the feeling back into them.]

Make sure he doesn't tear your arm off!

[shadowscall]

Kind of reminds me of this little puff toy I had once...well, that one didn't have any eyes or legs.

[Nooo, Surge only wants to tear the poor toy's limbs off, not Kai's. Which is totally why he's trying to get enough of a grip to hold the thing down and chew on it while Kai snickers, doing his best to yank it back.]

I think I'm safe. Geeze Surge, I fed you already.

[moderndaydragon]

[She rubs along Surge's back, chuckling a little more.]

Have you taken him for walks around outside yet?

[shadowscall]

Before the- oomph, c'mon - snow, just in the courtyard, and not for very long with it so cold. Long enough to do his business. Most of his exercise is in the gym.

[Speaking of exercise, Kai's definitely getting some. He gets up on his knees to pull at the toy, and as he shifts his grip on the arm, Surge gives a hard yank. Kai loses his hold and falls backwards, colliding with the closet door.]

Ow!

[Give him a second, he's just surprised. Obviously not hurt, because he starts laughing.]

Thanks!

[Triumphant at last! Surge proceeds to drag his toy back under the bed with him, settling down to gnaw on it awhile.]

[moderndaydragon]

I was actually thinking about taking Bakura-kun it on his offer to learn how to hunt. We'd at least have fur blankets to burrow into when it gets too cold, in that case.

[Silly dog. Karasu lets him go back under the bed, standing up to make sure her legs still work.]

I know, if nothing else, I should be able to do something in dragon form. And it's not learning from that thief king jerk.

[shadowscall]

...At least he can teach you something useful. I'd probably start getting squeamish again if I tried. Enjoying already dead food and cotton blankets too much now. I mean, not that all 'Jem and I ever did was hunt. But my sense of direction with the Corridors used to be dismal. A lot of the time we just ended up in places that- Eh, it doesn't matter anymore.

[Kai gives Surge one last pat before getting up too, rubbing his back. Yeah, tug of war in a bigger space next time.]

I haven't seen him lately. Kind of glad.

[Okay, more than 'kind of'.]

[moderndaydragon]

Especially if the building disappears again. I'm not that squeamish, but that doesn't mean I can just dive in.

[Yeah... about that.]

Bakura-kun said you two didn't get along... why did you ice his hand?

[shadowscall]

If it does, I might just try and build a tree house.

['Because he deserved it' is the first thing Kai thinks, though thankfully not what he actually says.]

That...I'd done a drawing of Ryou, this really nice one where he didn't have to- anyway. Bakura was threatening to rip it out of the sketchbook, and I cast Blizzard on his hand. It was just a quick flash, and more instinct to get him to back off than actually-

[Kai sighs, running his hand through his hair.]

I didn't mean to hurt Ryou. It pissed off Bakura and he let Ryou back in charge, and I felt rotten and kept apologizing...walked him to the nurse. He was okay, it wasn't too bad.

[Wow. Maybe 'because he deserved it' would have been better. So much for trying to avoid mentioning Bakura's not the 'nice guy' he's been pretending to be.]

[moderndaydragon]

I'd help, but I'm terrible at building anything. Otherwise I might've made something like that myself so I wouldn't have to live in a cramped dorm.

[But that's odd. Why would Bakura threaten to rip it out? And what was that weird phrasing? "Let" Ryou back in charge? But Bakura was the one who was being lent the body.

But the way he says it makes it sound like... the other way around, of course. What Bakura first told her to hide it. Kai is magic, he probably saw Ryou's spirit, so that would make sense that Bakura would tell the same lie to get Kai to back off. Especially if they didn't get along.]

I see.

[It must've hurt a lot for Bakura to pull back. Then again, that sort of ice on a burn would hurt.]

Well, it was an accident, right? And at least it wasn't too bad.

[Sorry, Kai. Bakura's weaved things a bit too tight for it to be that easy.]

[shadowscall]

...Yeah, you don't believe me.

[Well, as if he actually expected her to. Would've made his life easier, so nope. Surprisingly, Kai doesn't feel like pushing the issue. Not after their earlier discussion. It doesn't mean he'll be giving up, however.]

Complete accident. I still feel bad, when I think about it. Ryou kept insisting no harm done.

[He half-laughs at that, shoving his hands into his pockets.]

[moderndaydragon]

What makes you think that? I believe you.

[She's completely sincere -- she does believe Kai. She doesn't know why Bakura would want to rip something out of Kai's sketchbook, but hey, they're boys and they don't get along. It's probably that sort of thing.]

Especially since you feel bad about it.

[shadowscall]

['But not what I'm trying to tell you' almost comes out before Kai just shrugs.]

Anyway. I know it's not fair since I asked you to come over so I could help you with the memory thing, but can we maybe go through the books tomorrow? I'm starting to feel a little off.

['Off' is probably the best way he can describe feeling sick and frustrated and wanting to drop Bakura via Corridor into the middle of the ocean without actually saying it.]

[moderndaydragon]

That's just fine. We have all the time in the world here, don't we?

[Considering they're trapped and all. Karasu frowns a little, though, concern showing on her face.]

Kai-kun... what's wrong?

[shadowscall]

Starting to seem that way.

[Kai tugs his left hand out of his pocket and eyes the ring on his finger before glancing up at the question. Sorry Karasu, you're not getting much of an answer.]

Nothing, I probably just ate a bad cookie or something. Don't think I baked the last batch all the way.

[It's as good an excuse as any.]

[moderndaydragon]

[Of course, she doesn't believe you at all for that one. If it was something like that, it would've hit him a lot sooner.]

...All right. I'll go, then.

[Why you gotta be like this. She can't even guess why you're upset besides not wanting to hear about Bakura, just that she's definitely stepped wrong here. Either way, she can take the hint of "GO AWAY" that he's giving off.

Standing up and straightening out her hoodie again, though more out of an upset tick than anything.]

I hope you feel better soon, Kai-kun. See you later.