closed to atem; a children's 🃏 card game.

[puzzlers]

[ as soon as yugi had heard about an exciting new card game taking anastara by storm he couldn't contain himself. sure, it wasn't duel monsters, but he loved games of all kinds, so he jumped at the chance to get in on the fun. ]

[ literally. ]

[ as soon as he learned where he could get in on the fun he called for atem, roll his familiar dice, and took off for the tournament scene. he is so excited, and that much is clearly apparent in the way he volleys between asking questions and watching matches. it seems like it's easy to learn & hard to master sort of games... his favorite! he can't wait to get his hands on some of his own cards and, who knows, maybe he'll be lucky enough to get his hands on one of the fantastic foi- huh. ]

[ he's snapped straight out of his day dream at the sound of a couple of kids crying. ] Hey! [ he says, instincts taking over. ] Leave them alone. [ yugi approaches the scene, stopping to pick up the cards thrown to the ground and deemed trash by the upperclassman. ] Give them their cards back. You can't just take them. [ the upperclassman explain the ante rules, all while laughing. ]

... [ he looks to the kids, giving them an a small apologetic smile. ] Do you mind if I borrow these? I promise to give them back. [ at this point, the kids don't seem too invested in the game, the bullies having ruined it for them, so they have no problems giving their cards to yugi. ] If you want to play, then let's play. [ he spares a glance to atem, a playful smirk turning up his lips. ] We can even make it more interesting and have a four way match. [ oh, look, mittens has even come over to see what's going on! ]

Comments

[king_of_egypt]

[Both Yugi and Kaiba's suggestions sounded plausible. If they did have to prove their gaming prowess first before they could see what the fuss was all about whether it was a rare card or just a bizarre cult of fans then that's just what they would have to do.]

Mm [Atem hummed thoughtfully as he silently decided to keep his speculations to a minimum. Providing they didn't meet anymore obstacles the truth might reveal itself. It was no sooner than a few moments after he decided on this course when they were met by the stone guardian that now blocked their progress. It seemed as if it would stop at nothing to end their little investigation adding additional difficulty to an already challenging game. It all had a certain appeal- but the trio fell back at Yugi's urging to talk briefly among themselves]

We may be able to do better than that. [Whoever did decide to face the statue might manage a decisive victory. Though either prospect was enough to pique his interest] The only question is, which of us is going to accept that challenge? [Although he was eager to step in to the role himself he gave the others the opportunity to speak up]

[blue_ice]

Hmm. I don't trust it not to cheat. Which can mean only one thing. Pharaoh?

[ Kaiba smiles invitingly at Atem, and after a glance at Yugi and a nod, steps up himself. As close as he is to Yugi now, and as close as Yugi and Atem are to each other, he has an interesting synchronization with the pharaoh too. And it just might do it.

He feels a little lighter as their back and forth falls into a familiar routine, and then the statue flips everything on its head. He bites back a curse and locks eyes with his friend---wait, hadn't the loud-mouth said something about a nice little loophole...?

He won't give up. They've come too far. ]

[king_of_egypt]

[Catching Kaiba's meaning, Atem stepped forward to greet this new challenge together.]

I hope you didn't mean to infer that I've ever cheated at a game of cards, Kaiba... [Said in jest, and with a smirk on his features. The questionable way he had been able to draw precisely the right duel monsters card at the right time had gotten him out of plenty of tight spots in the past but this was Fantastic Foils.]

[Still- he was confident that between the two of them they would be able to defeat this latest opponent together]

[The match proceeds normally for a spell, but that's when things really start to become interesting. The additional rules the Golem makes up on it's whims throw them off briefly, but once the trick is rooted out there's nothing left to stop them.] Clever- [A pointed pause] ... but not clever enough. [Rather than doing what the Golem expected, Atem casually passes on his turn. When the round next passes to Kaiba the danger in proceeding should be lifted, he hopes that Kaiba spotted the same strategy and won't hesitate to make his move]

[blue_ice]

In this case it's more of a counterbalance.

[No, he's not backing down from that. But he respects you and needs you at this moment, Atem.

He starts to sweat as he sees the trap rise up in front of him. It's the kind of maneuvering he'd expect from facing his nemesis...but he has just the person to defuse it here.

And of course, Kaiba still has his own wits. He sees his opening and carefully lays the counter, flipping it at just the right time. ]

And unfortunately, 'close' isn't a measure of anything in this challenge. You've kept us at bay this long, but no more!

[ He grins at Atem. It really has been too long. ]

[king_of_egypt]

[The fact that Kaiba suggested the partnership speaks volumes on it's own.]

[Atem doesn't have long to way to see how Kaiba will respond to the new circumstances, and he is pleased with the results. Without having to say anything their moves complimented each others. It's hard to tell whether the stone guardian is thrown off but this turn of events or not, it's fixed expression giving away nothing. One thing is for sure, that it isn't letting up just because of a little setback.]

[A few more turns pass before the guardian is finally and soundly defeated, the earlier bravado becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy of what was to come. The match wasn't as close as it originally appeared]

[Still, the experience was exhilarating all the same]

[puzzlers]

[ yugi is grinning ear to ear the entire time. it’s so different watching them duel from the sidelines instead of, like, from inside his other half’s heart. it’s so exciting!!! ] Great duel, guys! [ he pumps his fist. ] You kicked that statue’s stony butt. [ a laugh follows. ] It didn’t stand a chance, not even with all of those abrupt rule changes. [ it was definitely a treat getting to see the two of them play together. ]

[ as soon as the statue moves aside to reveal the void yugi looks between both of his friends. ] … [ he blinks, a bit nervous, but this is what they fought for, right. ] You guys ready?

[blue_ice]

[ Kaiba's expression is his usual cold smirk as they depart, but it becomes a genuine smile once they've left him in the dust.

He takes a step into the corridor. It's ancient, naturally, with twists and turns suggesting a trip into the otherwordly ahead. Great. He hates that. ]

Absolutely. Now, Yugi...why don't you take the lead this time?

[puzzlers]

[ following that amazing display of card game prowess has him a little nervous, but he's confident in his deck and his abilities, so this shouldn't be too bad, right? but as he steps through and is met with the rare card he hears a disembodied voice asking if he's here for it. ]

[ well, if he's being honest, he hadn't really known what would be at the top of the tower, but if all of these challenges lead up until this moment, then he's certainly ready. he nods, hand moving to his deck as he stands tall, his voice firm as he replies, ] Yes. I'm here for the Deathtoll.

[king_of_egypt]

I'm always ready. [Atem replied confidently. He hung back a little to allow the slightly shorter version of himself to take point. Should Yugi shy away from the task though he wouldn't mind stepping up, he just doesn't think it will be necessary to do so. The space before them is obscured by darkness and there's an air that is both electrifying and foreboding. There is something of great importance concealed within these walls.]

[As they step into the next makeshift arena, the challenge is issued and it's not long before this match is underway.]