the_campus | For moderndaydragon and fluffydeathdealer

[Those words make something in Bakura's expression flicker, like he's trying to hold back the urge to say something insulting. Like many others in the game, Bakura's pride as a duelist means that he tends to look down on those who aren't willing to put in the effort to get better... and those who just suck. Kai's admittance pisses him off on a high level and he has to look away to hide the irritation on his face.

Okay, delaying tactic; answer the other bit first.]

Of course memories are important. But even if those two were willing to help, it's probably rude to just approach them out of the blue about it. I'll get Henry's opinion on it later. Ryou can handle Jack.

[It's impossible. He can't possibly answer Kai's comment on dueling in a nice manner...]

With that attitude, it's no wonder.

Edited 2014-01-31 08:14 (UTC)

And it's not like I'm getting so bad I'm forgetting who you guys are. It's scary, but it's not going to kill me or make me lose everything right now. So if they are doing something really important, it can wait.

But if Bakura-kun and Ryou-kun are willing to ask, that's probably better than just one of us.

[STRANGERS and all. Karasu frowns a little at Bakura's reply, sighing some. She's not anywhere near as prideful as Bakura is, nor is she as skilled, but she does have some pride in it. She'd been going easy on Kai because of the whole "other worlds" thing, but...]

That's a little harsh, Bakura-kun. Even if you do have a point. [To Kai, now:] You'll never know until you actually try it. And you have to believe in yourself! Otherwise, how can your monsters do the same?

[Well, not like he can mention he knows Jack just a bit more than in passing conversation. Not that there's been much happening on the training front anyway. Kai sighs and raises a hand to rub the bridge of his nose. If Bakura does do anything to help, he'll be surprised. Hell, he might even thank him.]

Okay. I'll stick to being a library gnome then, I guess.

[Just...not going to snark at Bakura about attitude. See, he can be mature. Or something.]

Then we'll have to start building my deck soon. [He falls silent for a few seconds, then nods.] Yeah...guess it's not too different from wielding a Keyblade.

[Strength of Heart and all that fun stuff.]

...

[Bakura frowns, but nods.]

Sorry, Karasu-chan. I just don't like it when people give up on things too easily using bullshit excuses.

[Turning his head, he looks Kai over thoughtfully. He's sure Kai will never learn the type of magic required to summon from the cards - and he'd better not have told that little tale to Karasu, or he'd have to lie about it - but even to be a regular duelist requires some dedication.]

Listen, Kai. I know you don't like to take advice from me, but I'm offering it anyway. Dueling isn't all strategy. Apart from the luck factor, there's something else that Karasu might have mentioned.

Cards have a heart all of their own. If you build a deck that feels right to you, it'll serve you well. Your deck should be constantly improved as you gain more cards; even a veteran needs to rework their deck between duels. But despite that factor, if you're drawn to a card, keep it. It doesn't matter if it's in your deck all the time, or if you keep it in your side deck - the cards you keep on hand to trade into your deck between duels. Call it instinct, or a connection of hearts, or whatever you like... That feeling is what makes a duelist. The bond between your deck and yourself.

[Feh, he's said too much. His brow furrowing in annoyance, he looks away.]

Something like that.

[She nods a little back at Bakura, flashing a smile, though she stays quiet so he can talk.

When he's done...]

Pretty much exactly everything Bakura-kun said. It's why it's not the same as anything else you play, and why I think anyone can do it; especially you. It's why I always use the Samurai; they feel connected to me, so I feel like they're trying to help me out in duels.

And once you find yours, all you'll need to do is practice with them! Everyone starts out on the "bottom rung" no matter what it is, right?

[Wow Bakura, you've surprised him. Enough that Kai almost stops in the middle of the hallway before he gives himself a mental kick. Geeze, what's that about? He'd be tempted to not trust him if Karasu hadn't backed him up.]

...Thanks Bakura. I'll remember that.

['Bottom rung'...She has a point. It wasn't as if he'd instantly known what to do the first time Heart's Star had appeared in his hand; it'd taken a lot of practice.]

Right. I'll try my best, then.

... [Don't read too much into it, Kai. He's a duelist. That's all it is. More than anything else, he detests hack duelists who can't put in effort. And non-duelists almost never gain his respect. Tolerance, perhaps... But never respect.

If Kai is willing to try it, then that's good enough. He still won't respect him if he becomes a duelist, and from what he knows of Ryou's interactions with him, he's got not reason to believe he'll be anything but a weakling that plays for fun... but it's still good enough to garner that little bit of information. All duelists have their signatures, and it's rarely because of strategy. There are thousands of ways to win. No deck is perfect. It comes down to that connection.]

Don't mistake me for being helpful. I'd rather there be fewer hack duelists who think the key to victory is piling their deck full of strong monsters; that's all.

Kai-kun's a little rough, but he's already doing pretty well with cards, I think. We just have to get it together in the right way.

[And no, she won't tell you what it is. That's a secret~. ♥]

Edited 2014-02-07 18:34 (UTC)

[Ha, he won't. He's only trusting Bakura on this one because of Karasu; otherwise he doubts pretty much everything that comes out of his mouth.]

Rough? I'm wounded. [And completely kidding by the smirk he's got, but whatever. Not going to comment on the cards; he tends to give Bakura unintentional heads-up with almost everything else. Instead he just falls silent the rest of the walk, only speaking up again when they get to Karasu's door.]

Okay, so. You can look over both of the books, I'll go back to poking around the library for some more. Let me know if the calligraphy one drives you nuts, and I'll deal with it.

There's no need for that. I already volunteered to help. I'll read through them too.

[There's no need for you here... Just disappear like a good boy, won't you? he thinks, coldly. The last thing he needs is interference. As it is, he'll have to reinforce his memory locks on Karasu. He'll need to check them for leaks too. He doubts any of this memory loss is his fault, but if there's a weakness in his skills due to her nature, he'd rather he discover it before Kai.]

I'm sure we can figure it out, Kai-kun, don't worry. Even if I can't, Bakura-kun's smart, too.

[And he can probably read that sort of thing better than her, considering what he is.]

We'll get together again a little later to practice with your deck, okay?

Oh yeah, I don't doubt that. [Smart and a pain in the ass. But at least Kai's starting to admit that some of this is his own fault.]

Sure, I'll have some cookies ready too, if you want. [He looks over at Bakura, the expression on his face, if not friendly, at least neutral.]

Hey, before you get started Bakura, there's stuff I thought we ought to talk about. I won't keep you long.

...is that so? I suppose I can spare some time.

[The look he casts Kai is suspicious at best. Distrust is a nature to him and even if it wasn't, Kai is hardly among his favourite people. He might owe him for the Heartless event, but that doesn't mean much on that front.

More importantly, Kai is the one that's intent on laying his hands on his pet. And he's undermining his efforts. He has to tread carefully.]

Karasu-chan, I'll be back to help you in a little while.

[Stuff to talk about, huh? She can't help but be curious, but it's really not her business, unfortunately. Even if she has a weird feeling about it.]

Sure thing. I'll see you in a bit.

[She'll just take the books and disappear into her dorm.]

Edited 2014-02-07 23:32 (UTC)

[Kai watches her go before turning to Bakura and pointing back the way they came.]

Around the corner.

[He kind of wants to just grab him by the collar and drag him over, but nope, he can keep his temper. Just a talk, that's it. Maybe not a polite one, but using his words is good.]

Hoh? Are you really so afraid of what Karasu-chan might hear about you?

[Smiling coldly, the friendly attitude dropping to his usual malicious sarcasm, he whirls on his heel and strides back. Once they're around the corner-]

So I've been hearing some worrying things about you, Kai-chan...

[Folding his arms over his chest, he leans against the wall and meets Kai's gaze with a haughty expression.]

Don't tell me you're really so foolish as to mess with what you should not be able to touch.

[Is he? Partly, if he's actually bothering to make the effort to do this out of earshot. But maybe he just doesn't want her interfering and getting hurt, either.]

Really? And I was hearing worrying things about myself from you. Thanks for getting her going about my Darkness, I appreciate it. [He catches that honorific and he's just going to ignore it, because somehow it's not as annoying to him as Shade-kun.]

What, I can't be friends with her? [His smirk from earlier is starting to flicker back to life.] Or anything else? It's none of your business what we do when we're alone anyway.

[Which, honestly, is playing with the dog and hanging out, but let's piss off the Creeper some more.]

I know what you two do together... heheh, if you're trying to trick me into thinking you two are fooling around, you're dead wrong! AHAHAHAHAHA!

[His laughter dies fast this time. Tch, this annoying brat... he'll get him back for that foolish attempt. Anger makes him a little rasher than he should be. Ah well. Kai can assume he was listening at the door, if he wants. He doesn't care. It's not like it would be possible to figure out what he had done to her. Not with so little information.]

And you... "I'm in control of it!" How pitiful! Like a person so tempted by darkness could ever become partnered with her! You'd do nothing but taint her purity.

You two being friends doesn't concern me... It's what you intend to do with her that matters to me.

Karasu isn't yours to screw with. She's my 'friend'.

I'm not trying to trick you into anything. [Just irritate the hell out of him, which isn't the best idea, but he's kind of pissed right now. The deranged laughter isn't helping.]

...What, you listen at keyholes too? [Yep, just going to assume the Creeper does in fact creep around and eavesdrop, because it seems the most obvious answer at the moment. Though that next bit...Nope, not throwing the first punch.

Bastard.]

More like your toy. Go find someone else to screw with, she doesn't deserve to have to put up with you.

[Kai takes a step back, flexing the fingers of his left hand slightly. Not going to punch him, or fling Blizzard in his face...though the thought's appealing.]

[Bakura's lips twitch into a vicious smile.]

Toy? Karasu is my dear friend. She has nothing to fear from me... and she enjoys my company. A lot more than she does yours, I fear.

After all, it was me who found her when she first fell from the sky, and me who helped her. It's me whom she fell in love with, though it was never meant to be. Compared to you, who seems to have hung around solely for the chance to get in her pants... which of us looks better?

If you think for a moment that I'm going to let some snot-nosed kid drive me away, you're mistaken. You might have magic on your side, but if you use it... I'll make sure Karasu hears about it. Moreover... I won't use mine. She'll figure that out quite fast from the difference in damage between the two of us. Attacking an unarmed teenager with magic... That won't look well upon you.

And it's not me that'll be suffering for it.

[His shoulders shake with repressed laughter.]

Wonderful, isn't it?

[That-

It really does take an amazing amount of willpower for Kai to not just haul off and knock Bakura's head back into the wall. Briefly, in the very back of his mind he thinks of Ryou, but that concern is quickly replaced with trying not to screw things up for himself any more than he has. So instead of responding to any of that, Kai simply stares at Bakura wordlessly before giving a sharp shrug. Okay.]

Guess you have a point. Suppose we're done here.

[Kai takes another step back and then swings around, walking away with his head down. His left hand goes into his hoodie pocket, and when he's a decent distance away, but sure the action'll be easily seen, pulls it free and holds it up over his shoulder. In his hand is a little black digital recorder that he'd stumbled on earlier in the week.]

Bite me.

[Kai moving away was suspicious enough, but... His suspicions are only confirmed.

In that instant, something snaps within him. If Kai had kept it secret, he could have gotten away with it. That taunting gesture is what cements his fate.

Kai's physical strength is likely greater, and he'll be expecting to be tackled or at least chased. What he probably won't expect is for Bakura, who had claimed to be unarmed, to draw a knife.

Even as he does, he throws himself forward in one fluid motion. He has to get that recorder from him. It's a straight run down the corridor to where he is and Bakura is fast. He has a chance.]

Not so fast, bastard!

[Even as he moves, the knife flashes. He has no intention of killing the boy. That would be too hard to explain. But an injury wasn't a problem. If he can't reach in time, he'll simply throw it. He's a thief, after all... his aim is good.

His target is Kai's exposed arm.]

Edited 2014-02-08 01:15 (UTC)

[Kai wasn't planning on taunting him with it, initially. Just getting away unscathed would have been good, but if there was one thing Kai was still learning how to deal with, it was inheriting his mother's temper. He literally couldn't stop himself from one last 'Screw you'.

He whirls around, meaning to try and shove the recorder back into his pocket before Bakura reaches him, and then he sees the knife. He's not sure where the psycho is going to try and stab him, and he brings his left arm up to block it. That...is not the best idea he's ever had. He cries out as the blade sinks in and drops the recorder, barely aware of it clattering on the floor.]

Fuck!

[Yeah, this maybe hurts worse than Heartless, he's not sure. His next move is instinct, throwing out his right hand to summon Barrier right in Bakura's face. The spell usually manifests as a translucent blue swirl of solid air, but this time warps into being mostly in shades of black and purple. He pushes the spell away from him with all the force he can muster. He doesn't care if it throws the Creeper back five feet or fifteen, but he wants him as far away as possible. Hopefully he'll take the knife with him.]

[Bakura hears the clatter and moves, his foot slamming down hard on the recorder. The crunch of it beneath his feet makes his lips twist into a gleeful smile, but even as it happens, that spell is in his face.

The spell shoves him back, slams him all the way into the far wall and he cries out in surprise and pain. Damn... wasn't expecting that. But the grin doesn't leave his face. Lifting the knife, he slides it back into the hidden holster. He needs to thank Henry for this gift. His old knife wouldn't have had nearly the amount of flair this beautiful thing does... and he didn't have a hidden sheath for that one, either.

Having never seen Barrier before, he can't tell the difference, but that curse was enough. Kai is angry. It's wonderful.]

Heheheh... Does it hurt? Now... show me more of your hatred! More and more until that darkness overwhelms your heart...!

[His voice is breathless, excited.]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

[...it probably doesn't have the same effect from several feet down the hall.]

Edited 2014-02-08 02:06 (UTC)

[Angry doesn't really begin to cover it. Absolutely furious is probably somewhere in the neighborhood. Kai glances down at what's left of the recorder - wonderful - before smirking at where the Creeper ended up. Well, nice to know he's got that in him. Too bad he didn't use it sooner.]

...

[He'd realized somewhere along the line that Bakura was epic levels of batshit insane, but this takes the cake, honestly. Instead of responding, Kai brings his hand up to cover the wound on his arm, casting Cure. The familiar green light settles over it, slowly knitting things back together. Kai scowls as it only manages to close the worst of it; he's still bleeding enough to warrant a visit to the nurse.]

Look at the tear in the sleeve...You wrecked my favorite hoodie.

[Yep, stabbed in the arm and he's being taunted, and that's what he's seemingly worried about.]

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