diatu | ow the edge (open)

ow the edge (open)

Who: Kaiba (

blue_ice) and you!
When: One early September morning
Where: All over campus!
What: DUELS. In any and every game. Or try to talk him down from this madness, idk.
Warnings: Excessive edgy shonen rival behavior. Possibly some dark themes, will be labeled in subject lines!

Kaiba's request, in hindsight, was a foolish one. Every interaction between their worlds and this one thus far had been a disaster with unintended consequences, why would this be any different? And why would he risk his most priceless possessions this way? He could kick himself, but that's not going to save his Blue Eyes White Dragons. His hand trembles as he holds them, watching their attack and defense values slowly tick toward zero.

You are not the worthy heir we chose, says the trio of voices in his ear. Your emotions have made you weak. We seal our power from you until you prove that the spirit of a champion lurks within. Crush your foes with precision! Or are you now a coward?

No. He's no coward. Kaiba sweeps through the hallways with an icy expression, searching for prey. Any instrument they might hold for a game draws him...a deck of Fantastic Foils cards. A basketball. A chess board. A wand. Any game, anywhere...he absolutely must win. He swivels to face his chosen opponent.

"You. Duel me. Now."

Are you game? Or more inclined to tell him he's out of his mind? It's your move.

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She's good. Kaiba's long legs make it fairly simple to catch up, but she has the head start. He lunges, misses, and takes possession with a breath.

"Watch this."

He's more confident this time, darting forward, trying to dodge her and leaping high above---but not over---the line. One shot, all he needs right now is this one shot...he lands in a crouch and hopes, watching it bounce.

But he's ready to cover her this time. Let's hope it's enough while he feels this game out.

Oops. How does he keep getting himself into these things? Kaiba steps back, dialing down the aggression and leaving the traces of worry behind.

"A game. I'm looking for someone to play a game against. And it has to be soon...but if you can't it's fine."

"Fine. Good luck."

He has a stack from some of his previous winnings. He'll dole that out on the table. "Gin rummy will do. Go ahead and shuffle."

He'll pull out his own basic deck (obtained after his first few gos at this challenge) and shuffle as well to have it ready. He's apparently very used to handling cards. If not these particular cards.

"Ready?"

Uhhh.

What.

"Normally I'd say 'explain while we play', but frankly I'm wondering if someone's cursed you. Or just tricked you," he adds, raising a brow. "Why on earth would your dragons 'leave' you with that kind of condition, you and I both know that conflicts with the reality of things."

Is he casually making note of the fact that he has, at one time, trawled Seto's head? Yes. It seemed important.

Long legs, height difference. He has inches on her, and it'll mean everything with this one-on-one game.

At least she can foul him with impunity--just short of actually hurting him. It wouldn't really teach him anything, and Isabel doesn't want to harm their friendship, as quirky as it is. It's something she values--that and the fact that she's one of the rare few who can get him to smile. That's more precious than...just about anything, really.

It's easier to just go for this basket again, and Isabel does her best to drive around him. She hip checks him out of the way if she has to, shoves against him--everything but pushing him down, really--and takes the shot

...which swirls around the edge of the hoop, tantalizingly...and then falls out without making the basket. At which Isabel swears under her breath. She doesn't usually give in to her competitive streak, but that doesn't mean it's nonexistent.

"Well, Fate says it's your go." Isabel reclaims the ball, only to throw it to Seto.

It's definitely not a map. That would be too easy. It's just a hint about which direction they should have chosen. A bit cryptic, of course, but they could have probably figured it out if they had taken the time to. At each intersection they'll find something like this, though it's not always going to be obvious which path to take and just because it seems like one path may be better than the other that doesn't necessarily mean that one is going to be free of traps. In some cases they'll both contain traps. One might just not be nearly as bad, as it were.

"It's because I've been here before... And, no, that's not it. I can summon Gandora now, though whenever I try this is what happens. Like you I think it's something I must overcome if I want to do so without..." He trails off for a moment. "Without fail, so to speak." He gives Kaiba a small smile, though it immediately falters when the ground quakes and Kaiba is grabbing him and leaping forward?!

He makes an undignified noise and tries not to yell, though they're eventually on solid ground again. He breathes out a sigh and gets to his feet, though he's a bit shaky on them now, and especially after that. "The maze is meant to wear us done which tricks of all kinds and it's different every time, so unfortunately I can't tell you exactly how to beat it, though I can certainly help with the puzzles at the intersections. They're meant to be hints about the paths we're about to choose."

In a normal fight he would probably have been right about his opponent, but Lady doesn't move. In fact, she stands her ground and discharges the necrotic magic at the same time as the flame attack to counteract it. She does feel a slight lick of the flames, but she doesn't seem all that bothered by it. As such, the lightning isn't something she has to worry about, because she didn't move into it.

Her next spell is cast at the ground, something he can't exactly see, but is very obviously making his way toward him. It ripples, tearing apart the dirt and cobble as it gets closer and closer, eventually a series of chains pop up to knock into him and, assuming they hit, throw him back.

"Look."

He impatiently flips one of the cards over, revealing that its ATK and DEF are much lower than they should be and still ticking down. He's running out of time.

"I can't wait much longer. Trick or no trick, it should be simple enough to prove myself in a game against any opponent before time up, right?"

"Heh. Some game, aren't we?"

Kaiba had little trouble getting back up. He crouched into position, took the ball, and took off, making a sharp turn and going right for the line. He crouched low to keep his balance regardless of what she did, got knocked slightly aside, and lifted his arm to compensate just in time.

The ball whirled around the rim once more, and this time...it sunk in the net. He exhaled as he allowed her to claim it, charging with a more confident grin.

"We make our own fates in this world. Your move!"

"...you're serious. If I ever decide to ask the researchers for anything again, I'm consulting you first."

Kaiba wouldn't be in this mess with his cards if he'd just gone for direct summoning. Granted, he could be in a bigger mess. And he seriously doubted he was going to ask them for anything ever again. He sighed, dusted himself off once he was sure Yugi was alright, and crouched to study the next markings.

They look jagged, but there's a space above them. They have to climb over, somehow...? If they had to be at a magic school of all things, why didn't they have flying broomsticks? He muttered a curse and used modification to turn some of the vines of the walls into ladders, setting up a mundane climb over.

Just as he's about to touch down on solid ground again, the voice returns to his head. He looks at the cards' values, now dangerously low and flashing red. The voices return, echoing only inside his head.

Clever, clever...but you're still weak, Seto. You cling to the boy you once vowed to defeat, hiding behind his greatness. No more. We should ally ourselves with a true master, one who will bring us glory!

The wind howls and a fog lifts. Kaiba reaches back for Yugi, trying to haul him through and duck into the next corner before it gets worse.

"No. You're wrong. I'm going to prove it."

He reaches, but he can feel his grip slipping. Sorry, Yugi.

Kaiba curses. What did she do? Ugh. Something rumbles, barreling toward him, and he hates to do it but he jumps, flinging a shield downward. He mostly knocks the chains back, sustaining only a few lumps.

He throws his arm over his head and calls down a fireball, sacrificing some power for size.

"Feeling the burn?"

She frowned a bit, and she couldn't help some concern. There was something in his tone or expression that seemed to suggest it was more than just a game.

"What kind of game is it?"

"Hmmmm." Hmmmmm. Hmmm.

"Fine. Jan-ken." Yes he's asking you to play rock paper scissors. Frankly he's surprised you didn't try that one first, it takes seconds.

"Heh. I don't think I'm the authority. I'm not sure asking them for anything is a wise decision, honestly."

And that's not necessarily. He'd be in a different mess. Perhaps an even worse mess! It seemed like no matter what they asked for it came with a price and Yugi wasn't so sure it was worth the price tag. He just hoped that he could help Kaiba realize his own strength with this maze. It... would be difficult, but he believed in the strength of his boyfriend. Himself too. Together they'd get through this.

As soon as Kaiba changes the vines Yugi follows his lead and begins climbing up behind him. It's a long climb and he can't really see ahead because of Kaiba, but he's sure they're headed in the right direction. "What?" He blinks, squinting when he hears Kaiba talking to himself. "I know that..." Is his head getting the better of him again? "Kaiba?"

Because he had decided to go for bigger rather than stronger the bounce spell she casts doesn't keep her from getting burned. Bringing an arm up she hisses, eyes tearing as she feels the pain feather out, because she couldn't completely stop it. Whatever. It's fine. She'll deal with it later. "I don't know you tell me." Since it's now heading back in his direction. Not to mention she's going to fire off a similar spell, so he'll have to worry about deflecting it twice! Pew pew!

"Any game, so long as it's a contest between two people. I have to challenge someone, anyone....but the stakes won't affect you at all."

They're just very high for him. He's really trying not to lose it here.

"Fine. Janken pon!"

His throw: paa (paper). He looks like he's about ready to karate chop the nearest object.

Was that Yugi? Kaiba faintly recognizes his boyfriend's voice in the distance, but he's distracted by the much more immediate voices in his head. Yugi's voice feels further and further away, but the dragons' shrill calls grow louder. They even choose to let Yugi hear their call this time. A little humiliation all around is fun!

It's no wonder humans were slaves to dragons in this world. You so arrogantly thought you could master us? You're weak, Seto Kaiba. Without your wealth and power to hide behind, you're nothing! You can't even save the one you debased yourself for...perhaps we should ally ourselves to him? Or maybe Wheeler...

Ah, the classic bridge too far. Kaiba suddenly goes rigid, and when he looks up his eyes are blazing with fury. He extends his wand with a flourish, radiating a cold fire.

"THAT'S ENOUGH!"

He modifies the fog into heavier water droplets, soaking them but immediately clearing his vision. He reaches Yugi in a single bound and clasps his hand.

"You're wrong about humanity, you're wrong about Yugi, and most importantly you're wrong about me. I should congratulate you, Blue Eyes---if that's really who you are. It takes a special kind of talent to so consistently miss the mark!"

He scoffs, his old swagger back in force.

"I don't hide behind anyone or anything. I forge advantageous partnerships with talented people, and I learn from them as much as they learn from me. Even love is no weakness---it's my guiding force, the one I'll hold to while I burn through this maze!"

He confidently steps forward crouching at the next set of markings. He looks up at Yugi with a great big blur of emotion in his eyes---relief, admiration, love. Kaiba even laughs weakly.

"Dragons are a real piece of work."

Kaiba's practiced his warding. He should be prepared. But he's blown back by this, thrown into a nearby wall with a yelp---but still standing, if only through sheer willpower.

"Chill out, would you?"

Using ice after a wave of fire is risky, to say the least, but he concentrates his will on her dueling spot and draws on any remaining moisture in the air, sending an ice wall flying at her from a short distance away.

"GHYY-!"

Noa doesn't have a throw, Noa has a leap backward, while choking. "A little less violently maybe..!?"

It's at this point that Jude first senses something suspicious: it's weird that he's so... eager doesn't quite fit. Forceful? Of course, this is the Magicademy, and weird things are an hourly occurrence, but still.

Probably better to be cautious; she raises her eyebrows at the amount on the table. "Easy. Half of that will do."

Nevertheless, she nods at his query, and deals.

"You wanted to play a game, didn't you? It was your idea, Kaiba." The ice wall he conjures where she stands does finally knock her back and obviously off her game, she's temporarily stunned and does get a chance to chill out as he'd asked. She sits up, shaking her head out and staring down the duel field at him. "Isn't this what you wanted?"

Is this what Kaiba has had to listen to? And, what, slaves to dragons? Do the Blue-Eyes really feel that way too? It's not like they were even a part of this world, but have it's influences already corrupted them? He frowns, looking up at Kaiba when they try to tell him he's weak, which is a fucken lie.

He feels Kaiba's hand clasp tightly around his, which isn't something he can actually see, because his hair is covering his face now that the fog turned water has soaked them. He does smile though, and Kaiba might not be able to see it, but the way Yugi holds his hand back he can probably feel that he's absolutely behind him on all of what he says.

"Not all dragons are like that, Kaiba. I'm not really sure what's gotten into your Blue-Eyes, but I'm confident we can break them of their strangeness clouding their own minds." His hand moves to his heart. "Me and Gandora haven't had nearly as much experience together as you guys have, but the bond we share is strong. We chose each other for reasons that go deeper than deep and he helped me in three of the most important battles of my life." It's almost like there's a light glowing from within him.

"Choosing to be able to call on Gandora was definitely dangerous, but he's my partner, and there is no master servant relationship. We help each other and there's mutual understanding and..." He smiles, looking at Kaiba. "I know it's the same for you and your cards. Your bond is strong too, Kaiba, and we'll get that back no matter what. Again, I'm not sure what's going on now, but we'll get through to them."

"Oh...okay." She thought for a moment. She wasn't too competitive (at least not at all the time), but if the game would help him somehow, she didn't mind.

"Would checkers be okay?"

"Hey, it's just as much game as we make it--hey!"

It was really an impressive move, and Isabel grinned a bit. It was good to see him smiling, at least.

"Okay, but that's only one basket, you've got two more to beat me, and I've got the ball!" Surprise and skill and luck--that's what it'll probably take to beat him with his greater height, and she's really only got one of those things--but did she really need to win? Sure, her competitive ire was up, but...

He's not gonna make it easy on her, in any case, so why should she make it easy on him? Isabel sidled around Kaiba, then, dribbling and sprinting down the court--and it's baskets, not points, so even if she did make it from the three-point line, that's still just a basket. Hmm.

She did spend a moment in thought, but decided to make the throw from the three-point line anyway. Just to prove she could, if anything. She'd almost hit it before, right? And she had to try before Seto and his inches caught up to her.

But fate or whatever was on her side, this time. Nothing but net, and she darted forward to catch the ball and send it back to Kaiba.

"Evened it up--your turn now!"

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