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

[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.

[shadowscall]

[As soon as she says that he knows he screwed up. Way to go, genius. As much as he's tempted to just not say anything and let her go, he can't quite bring himself to. Ugh, what the hell. It'll either help or it won't.]

Hey, Karasu, I'm not mad at you or anything, okay? Just- I guess I don't want to explain right now. I'm sorry.

[moderndaydragon]

That's all right. You don't have to explain anything to me if you don't want to.

[It's true, really. He didn't even have to explain about the whole darkness thing, so she won't hold it against him if he doesn't want to explain this. Not that it stops her from feeling unwanted, but hey.]

Bye.

[Just. Gonna head out now.]

[shadowscall]

[Okay then. Kai just sighs, managing to not smack himself in the face for being an idiot before he follows her out. He'll just go put the books away before something happens to them.]

1/2

[fluffydeathdealer]

...

[What an interesting little conversation those two had. Kai had very nearly cut the threads of the lies he'd wound into her... It was only his luck that the boy was clumsy at best.

For a duelist of his caliber, to have had to rely on luck to such a level... if he hadn't given her that soul fragment, he'd have been entirely unaware. Kai was becoming a problem. But even so... He had to play this calmly.

They were out of the room now, so it wouldn't look so suspicious.]

[fluffydeathdealer]

[Stepping around the corner, he spots them and calls out.]

Karasu-chan! Kai! Good afternoon!

[moderndaydragon]

[Karasu's grateful for the escort out, even if it just feels a little awkward and tense. Bakura's voice, thankfully, breaks through her own thoughts and she looks up, smiling and waving.]

Oh! Hi, Bakura-kun!

[shadowscall]

[Oh, perfect.]

Hey Bakura.

['Go away' goes unsaid. Kai just shifts the books to one arm as he locks his door. Going away to get rid of these, right. He can just dig them up again later.

Probably a lot later.

Idiot.]

[fluffydeathdealer]

Hoh, those books... then you managed to find a way to fix her memory, Kai? I'm impressed! I didn't think you were the type to ever open a book.

[He gives Karasu a friendly smile.]

You two look like hell. I hope you haven't been fighting.

[moderndaydragon]

No, nothing like that. Kai-kun just isn't feeling well and wanted to rest in quiet, so I'm leaving him alone.

We haven't figured out any way to fix my memory yet, either. But it's not like we don't have time.

[shadowscall]

[Oh, bite him Bakura.

Kai's grateful Karasu actually answered that. He's not much in the mood to make smartass comments, but the ones that do come out are probably only going to cause more trouble for him.]

Lots of time. Karasu, I'll let you know when I'm up for this, okay? It'll be soon.

[Go to the library, Kai. You can leave her alone with him.

Gah.]

[fluffydeathdealer]

Is that so...? It's probably all the sweets. Kai really needs someone to look after him! He doesn't eat well at all.

[At least from what he's seen through Ryou. He shakes his head, looking a little mournful. Though he's actually quite pleased. It gives him a chance to try to fix things before Kai starts messing with memories.]

That's too bad about the memories, but I'm sure Kai'll figure it out. He's really quite reliable, so I've heard! Ryou has lots of good things to say about him.

[moderndaydragon]

Ah, maybe! He did say it was probably a bad cookie.

[She'll just leave it at that, fidgeting with her hair a little. She nods at Kai some, waving a little without managing a smile this time.]

Alright, Kai-kun. See you later.

[shadowscall]

I had a carrot earlier. [As if it's any of the Creeper's business what he eats. Kai suddenly laughs though, because gee, the tone that came out in is familiar.]

Very reliable.

[Behaving, behaving, everything's fine...he looks over at Karasu and inwardly groans. It's not like she'll be comfortable if he sticks around, but damn it.]

Maybe I should walk you back, at least.

[fluffydeathdealer]

What, Kai? If you're feeling ill, you should go back inside and lie down. I'll escort Karasu-chan home.

[Bakura's not terrible at pretending to care, but considering the friction between the two of them, it's a little harder.]

That is, if Karasu-chan doesn't mind?

[moderndaydragon]

I don't mind it at all. If you need to lay down, Kai-kun, you should.

[She knows he doesn't feel sick, but she's a little confused now. He didn't want her to stick around earlier, but now he doesn't want to leave her? Conflicting messages, man!

Not that there's anything else she can say besides going with what he told her, but she does leave it open for him to correct her if he really does want to stay.]