the strangest duel [closed to Yugi and Atem]

[blue_ice]

Seto Kaiba was having an emotion. Several emotions, actually, and he didn't like them one bit. Most of them at the moment were caused by two star-haired duelists, and so he needed to Deal with them. That meant dealing with the Kings of Games themselves. And so it happened like this:

Comments

[puzzlers]

[ and this almost feels normal. he's reminded of how he loves to hang out with his friends and shoot the shit. he doesn't need to think of the questions hanging overhead. not now. he'll just enjoy this for what it is; a second chance. though it might not be permanent he's sure to remember his time spent here, so he'll just have to enjoy those memories when the time finally comes to part ways yet again. ]

We know, Kaiba, and we wouldn't ask you to forfeit your role as our rival.

[ yugi had noticed that too, but he really hadn't been thinking about it too much. it could really have just been a spell gone wrong, but he supposes he should definitely consider the other options. ]

They can certainly try to exploit our relationship, but they're going to find that these bonds are harder to break. [ yugi wasn't going to let anybody hurt his friends, so try as they might he'd ensure their inevitable failure. ]

[king_of_egypt]

[Oh come now Kaiba, it isn't that bad is it?]

We would never expect you to completely change your behavior.

[Also, those instances certainly do count it just depends on who is controlling the scoreboard at the time. Then Kaiba proceeded to slip into a speech that could easily be labeled as paranoia or prudence. Still, Atem did trust the other's observational skills. He on the other hand had met a wide assortment of individuals who seemed to range in their positions, giving credence to the fact that this could all be random.]

That is something to consider, but as of yet they haven't tipped their hand. [If this was some elaborate scheme]

[He nodded to Yugi's words] I would even risk saying that they are unbreakable.

[blue_ice]

"And I'm going to keep a sharp eye on them until they do."

That was the typical, paranoid Seto Kaiba speaking. Crossed arms, an icy stare, the works. He wouldn't trust any of them as far as he could throw them.

But it's Atem and Yugi's words about bonds that touch him---and bring him back on track. His original goal with this conversation was to figure out where they all stood, and while they were getting there, there were clearly bumps in the road still.

To that end, he cleared his throat. Mindful of how easily he'd unleashed Yugi's wrath earlier, he resolved to approach this somewhat more gently.

"They've been tested so many times. Even the ultimate test. It's almost made me believe again."

[puzzlers]

It couldn't hurt. I mean, we don't have a whole lot of information about, well, any of this, and I don't really think they're going to be that forthcoming, especially if the magic used for this particular spell gone wrong was formally prohibited. But who knows. Maybe as soon as they get some info we'll get some info. [ he's not really leaning one way or the other. he's going to give everybody the benefit of the doubt right now. ]

Almost? I guess we have some more work to do, but since we're all in this together we should all look out for each other.

[king_of_egypt]

I wouldn't expect anything less.

[Said with a knowing smile and a shake of the head. Maybe he was being too trusting on this matter, Kaiba could be right so he didn't say much to dissuade the other's concerns. If there was more to this school than met the eye it would take time to suss it out. Still, Atem wasn't going to deny that the three of them had a connection he just wouldn't promote it either. If the other students gathered as much from their interactions then so be it.]

Almost? Now you're just being conservative.... [It had to be edged in their favor a little further than that for Kaiba to have called for this meeting at all.] Mm, I agree Yugi. Wholeheartedly.

[blue_ice]

I'm not going to say it.

[Because they already know it. He's just being petulant---but not entirely. It's hard to put his feelings into words, but for all of their sakes...well, he's going to try. And his little drinking session with Yugi has made this somewhat easier than it would've been.]

I know that means we're going to get into some dangerous magic at some point, and barely scrape through. But when we're not doing that, it's going to be...

[He wrinkles his nose, but playfully.]

Normal. Which is difficult, because we've never been normal, have we? It's like we were all caught in a whirlwind, and where you land...it isn't anywhere near where you started.

[puzzlers]

[ he's going to gently rib kaiba. ] Aw, come on, we won't tell anybody if you say it, Kaiba. It'll be our little secret. [ he brings a finger to his lips and winks at him. ]

Barely? You're not giving us enough credit. [ he laughs easily again. ] I'm not saying it's going to be easy, but I think with our assortment of talents and intelligence we'll be alright. [ the power of friendship will see them through to safety! ]

Well that's kind of like it was back home, right? Not that we really hung out together, but things weren't always bad. But I'm not saying we didn't get into a lot of trouble, though... it seems trouble found us more often than not. But either way I don't think we'll have a problem here... not as long as we have each other.

[king_of_egypt]

[Atem was going to say that he wasn't going to push for the audible admission, but Yugi beat him to answering. He'd just let it ride with the teasing.]

It..... will be something. [Not feeling as if he had enough information at this point to accurately predict or hypothesize what they were in store for] There's little point in trying to guess what we may have to face here, but as I said before I have confidence that we'll see it through. Although- I am looking forward to seeing how your magical studies proceed, Kaiba. [You're so outnumbered]

Mm, in a way- the only thing that has changed is the setting. Well, that and the medium through which this world operates. Not solving everything through the use of our duel monsters will be a switch, but we will just have to be that much more diligent in obtaining new skills here.