(no subject)

[blue_ice]

who: Kaiba & OPEN (+ closed prompts in comments)
what: Adjusting to an increase in population, various prompts
when: First few days of the new term
where: Around campus and in town, various locations
warning: discussions of minor injury, others to be added if needed, none anticipated


some spellwork

It's been a rough few days for Kaiba, as evidenced by the noticeable wad of bandage on his nose. He's quiet and focused in his classes, and the work gets done, but as soon as he has free time, he jumps back into the next stage of his plan. He has some scrap paper piled in front of him, a wand ready for some glyph work...and he chants his calculation.

That little pile of paper scraps in front of him? It doubled in size. And then doubled again. What an efficient spell! He crouches and immediately begins to draw a counterspell, but the trash pile soon takes over that space. Time to switch gears. The trash pile is closing in.

"Should've put a brake in the glyph..."

Students passing by this lab may notice paper scraps starting to spill into the hallway.

nightly drudgery

If there's one thing that Kaiba needs, it's money. And how is he going to get it? With a job. He's spent the last few months searching for work that suits him, and at last he's found it...by filing paperwork at City Hall. Learning about the ways magic influences property disputes and reading about late night brawls was amusing at first, but nothing can last.

Every evening, after class and homework, he rushes out the gates in a simple navy suit. If a student heads out to dinner, maybe they'll find him seated on the steps for a dinner break, sorting through a giant pile of rubbish.

"If I never hear another case about trees crossing property lines, it'll be too soon."

Comments

for atem

[blue_ice]

It's a rather unfortunate day for Seto. He'd received a package from the War Games Association---a pristine coat, perfectly suited to his tastes! He'd naively assumed it was part of his ongoing initiation...this meant the group had finally accepted him as a full member, right?

Sadly not. Donning it has ended in him wearing a glamorous blue ballgown that absolutely will not come off. He's tried every spell he knows, and the thing is nigh-indestructible. Worse, if he tries to throw his robes on over it, it itches like nothing else.

All of this has led to a rough solution: desperately racing across campus, ignoring the stares, and hovering at Aer et Calculum's spire entrance. Atem surely would've understood his request and waited for him, right?

"Where are you?" He holds up his skirts as he whirls around---not that he cares about the dress, but just because he looks ridiculous doesn't mean he should look ragged too.

His face is essentially like the icon right now.

[king_of_egypt]

Well, Atem had thought he'd understood Kaiba's request but upon seeing the other male he's not so sure about it now. Pressing his lips tightly together as he leaned casually against a support column, he tries his hardest not to snicker.

"I was under the impression that you had a matter of some dire importance, Kaiba. I ... didn't know it was going to be a formal affair or I would have procured a suit for the occasion."

[blue_ice]

Kaiba huffs and plants his hands on his hips, accentuating the flattering waistline. It's a floor-sweeping and thin-strapped piece, collarbones and a hint of cleavage on display. The skirt doesn't take all that much space, it's light, but it does flare out when he twirls around.

Which he will not be doing, thanks.

"The package was labeled from the War Games association. It was a white coat when I opened it. Looked like an improved model of my old classic. I thought it was the initiation gift I've been expecting for a while---but as soon as I put it on, the trap spell activated and turned into this. And I can't get it off."

[king_of_egypt]

Abandoning the column, Atem moved close enough to circle Kaiba once just to take it all in. "It's not a bad color for your eyes, if you get a few accessories to go with it... maybe a little strappy purse and some flats.... you don't need heels..." Making sure to make eye contact as he said this,".. you'd be set." Yes, even with the explanation the teasing persisted.

"Oh- and just a touch of makeup, you wouldn't want to overdue it. Bring out your natural tones." Cracking a smile, Atem decided that maybe, just maybe he should be more sympathetic. The roles could be reversed someday and he wouldn't want to dissuade Kaiba's assistance in future.

"It sounds like you're being hazed." Expression darkening, as he could almost feel the Millennium puzzle urging him to take action for the offense dealt to his friend. Placing a hand aside it, he tried to come up with a more sensible solution. "The spell likely won't last for long, so if we aren't able to break it beforehand you'll need to stay out of sight. Come on.." Motioning with his shoulder, he tried to lead the way to one of the dorm rooms that was awaiting occupants. "We can conceal you in here.."

[blue_ice]

Kaiba's scowl only grows as he listens. He does not like this, not in the slightest---and the comments set him on edge further. But he follows anyway, skirt sweeping behind him.

"Oh, I'll be planning my revenge. But this...I'd wear heels, if only to step on their faces with."

He ducks into the empty room, looking thoroughly disgusted by anything. "I have to break it. Classes start again tomorrow, and I'm not going like this."

[king_of_egypt]

As the silence stretched from Kaiba, Atem realized he might have taken it too far but it had been too opportune to pass up, and it was so amusing to get a rise out of his rival. All good things, as they say, must come to an end. "All joking aside.. remember that something like this isn't an uncommon occurrence and I don't think anyone would truly think less of you for falling into this predicament. We've all been there in some form or another." Trying to soften the blow.

The word revenge sent another pulse of energy through the puzzle to the point that the pharaoh halted prematurely in his steps. Something wasn't quite right with his item and he didn't know what it was and still hadn't confided to anyone about it. Oh, well, he'd just.... deal with it. On his own. Seems safe...

Turning to look at Kaiba again, he drew out a wand. "You also realize that I might be a little out of practice?"

[blue_ice]

"...like this, exactly?"

Seto's still sporting a look of disbelief as he settles into the room. Doesn't really go with the dress. But he'll try to behave long enough to get this solved.

"And I do, but you're one of the few people I trust in this instance. Any ideas, I'll try them."

[king_of_egypt]

"Not.. exactly, but in equally embarrassing ways, surely."

Yeah, Atem was trying, but he had no examples ready at hand. No wonder Kaiba wasn't convinced.

"Just give me a moment," Trailing off, he quietly started weighing his options. Was it a flick to the right and a swish to the left? Maybe it was the reverse or a different combination altogether. "Also.. no judgement on any of the incantations attempted." He was a pharaoh not a lyricist.

[blue_ice]

Seto has to wonder about that.

"...If something this theatrical needs lyrics. I doubt it needs a precise counter, anything to get this off---!"

[king_of_egypt]

"Alright.. here goes."

With that he waved the wand through the air making a circle.

"A stunning dress in shades of blue,
revert to the form that's true."

Essentially he was attempting to turn it back into the jacket.

[blue_ice]

Oh, the spell does something, all right. The air shimmers, Seto feels an odd breeze again, and then...

...it's somehow even poofier.

"This might be its true form."

The skirt's almost filling half the room. "Can we get it to separate from me, or..."

He reaches behind himself to where it's laced up, and tries to untie it. It doesn't budge, as if the lace is glued together.

[king_of_egypt]

Atem leaned slightly forward, eager to see the results. If they were lucky this would be all it took.

.. But no. It was not to be.

"Then they really sent you a dress disguised as a coat." He huffed and crossed his arms over his chest, looking thoughtful. "... probably should have tested the fasteners first." A little amused at the oversight. if it turned out that magic wasn't necessary that would be ideal.

Atem circled around Kaiba and had a look for himself, but he couldn't reach the top most laces, which ended in a knotted bow. "If you'll just kneel down a little... if you can with the additional volume of your skirts, I'll see what I can do. Maybe it just needs a firmer tug.."

[blue_ice]

Seto knelt in front of Atem somewhat awkwardly, balancing on his knees in the midst of all those layers.

"You should be able to feel if there's magic holding the tie together. I've tried casting some spells on the dress already, it resists most."

[king_of_egypt]

Atem appreciated the attempt since there was no way without either levitating himself or using a stool that he was going to reach those fasteners otherwise. Giving it his best effort, he gave the cords as much of a tug as he could muster but it was clear that they would not be budged.

"Definitely magic, I'm afraid." Confirming what they likely both already knew. "If it's so resistant to spells.. maybe we're going about this the wrong way. Perhaps there's a potion or a glyph it would have less resistance too. There's no way they could have prepared for any sort of interference."

[blue_ice]

No luck. Of course. Seto shifts forward, picking up his enchanted chalk, and starts to draw a glyph on the ground. He hands Atem a piece of the chalk.

"I'm a master of glyphs, but it might be stronger if you cast it with me. If you draw a jagged line through mine, here....it's a shredding spell."

He points to the spot. Awkward move, but he's getting desperate.

[king_of_egypt]

Atem briefly thought to warn Kaiba that if he leaned over too much in this dress it could lead to a wardrobe malfunction but, he shook his head and thought better of it. It was only the two of them in this room, and he would just stay out of that line of vision out of mutual respect. He accepted the chalk easily.

"I had started studying them before I departed but, you've had an unfair advantage." A gentle tease. "It's a good thing I'm a quick study."

"Have you given any thought to what the results might be...?" Again, it was just the two of them in here... probably shouldn't worry about it. "Alright, let's try it." Moving the chalk nimbly across the ground where the glyph already graced it, he added the jagged mark and awaited the results.

[blue_ice]

"Don't care. There's a reason I'm not trusting someone else with this."

Kaiba was well aware of the possibility, drew the final line to complete the circuit, and held his breath. A moment's pause, and when he locked eyes with Atem...the invisible shredder moved into effect immediately, creating jagged cuts in the material and slicing away.

Did it work completely? No. But was there far less of a dress on Seto now? Yes.

The neckline and back were shredded deep, exposing his chest almost down to the bellybutton, and the skirt now barely came to mid-thigh. And Seto's only response was to laugh. They'd almost cracked it.

"That's it. It's stubborn, isn't it. But if we cast a full banishing together, it should come off."

He's already drawing the banishment glyph, again leaving space for Atem to finish it.

[king_of_egypt]

"As you wish," As long as Kaiba wasn't going into this blindly they could proceed. There was a moment after the glyph was completed where their eyes met as they waited with anticipation. As the magic went into effect the tearing of fabric sliced through the silence. When everything settled Kaiba was the only one laughing.

Unable to prevent it, Atem's eyes couldn't help following the v neckline downward, and let's face it Kaiba had a physique that was appealing to the eye. The expression on his own face was quite comical, shock replacing stoicism. Maybe Kaiba should have selected someone else for this afterall. With a cough, he made himself stop looking at anything below the neck. He had made great strides to forgetting about certain interests but this wasn't helping.

Don't act as if you've never seen a bare chest before, don't make this weird, he trusts you.

Full banishing.

There was a delay in his response, as he bit his lip and his brain temporarily checked out.

"Yes, right. Of course.... almost there." Hopefully, this was all it would take and then Kaiba would be free of this trap. This glyph he actually remembered and didn't require the instruction to complete it. Before he could see the results, he preventively cast his eyes to the nearest wall.

[blue_ice]

Was Atem...flustered? Seto reacted with a lifted brow, a smile playing across his face. This had been too long of a ridiculous ordeal for him to be embarrassed now. For the most part. He was still a little red-faced, but he made the choice to own it.

The line is cast, the stones are thrown, and then...the cursed fabric thankfully dissolves. Even more thankfully, the initial spell and then the vanishing have left his navy briefs intact. And Atem is still watching the wall.

"It's off," he says bluntly, breathing a sigh of relief. "But I was in too much of a rush to bring clothes. Please tell me you have tall housemates."

[king_of_egypt]

He sure was. There were few that could get such an undignified reaction out of Atem, so relish it Kaiba. The pharaoh would find the humor in it later, when the awkwardness was resolved.

HE SURE IS. JUST LOOK AT ALL THIS MARVELOUS STONE WORK. How many masons do you think it took to construct this fine tower? Cough.

"Oh good," Atem chimed in genuinely relieved though still boring a hole into that wall with his gaze. "For a while there I wasn't sure if we could remove it or not. Excellent selection of glyphs." Inching closer to the door, he called back. "I'll see what I can find- we know that anything of mine would be terribly ill fitting for you."

[blue_ice]

"Right. Thanks."

And once Atem leaves the room, the shock of it all hits him. He really did...just strip off, casually, and he left Atem in shock. That was sure something.

In the hopes of not further scarring the poor pharaoh, he looked around the room and found...not a full-sized sheet, but a towel which he took and wrapped around his waist. That should do it.

He idly cleaned up the remnants of their magic, then sat on a spare stool in the room to wait. It was odd. From what little he knew, social nudity was hardly a big deal in Atem's time---was it something about the dress specifically that was embarrassing?

He'd have to ask. And when he heard footsteps, he'd call out.

"I'm covered enough, nothing's going to blind you in here. Can we try talking like normal humans?"