( imeeji ) IC Inbox

[puzzlekeeper]

[ He hasn't set up a voicemail.

Figure it out. ]

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[puzzlekeeper]

[ He turns properly now, Heart Weapon still clutched white-knuckled in his hand. ]

Go, Intensity.

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

No.

[Takes another step.]

Wash the streets in the blood of these shitty demons if it soothes your anger. Tear apart as many city blocks as you like until you can't lift your sword anymore.

But I'm not letting you stand alone.

[puzzlekeeper]

And if I want to stand alone?

[ Which is not all that believable but still ]

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

Then take me out. And continue on your path of destruction unobstructed.

[puzzlekeeper]

[ That just seems to piss him off more. A muscle in his jaw works for a moment before he grits out, ]

Why are you doing this.

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

Because what kind of rival would I be if I can't stop your self-destruction?

You told me not to go easy on you, and I won't. Especially not now. So if you want to stop me, then stop me.

[puzzlekeeper]

[ He laughs, with no humor in it at all.

Self-destruction? Is this self-destruction?

Well-- they may as well find out.

He brings his blade up and crosses the distance between them in a flash. Going to run, Intensity? ]

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

[From King? Never.

Or perhaps the real answer is not anymore.

(Even if there is a flash of a bottomless chasm and bridges and a gunshot and blood running from King's forehead as he rushes forward in a similar manner.)

But that was practically a lifetime ago. When he couldn't identify the swirl of emotions that tore at him whenever he looked at King. When he just wanted to destroy what he couldn't understand.

But he knows what they are now. Knows what they have built up to becoming through weeks and months of trial and error and stumbling. And so.

Intensity stands his ground.]

[puzzlekeeper]

[ Maybe he's relieved that Intensity doesn't run. Maybe that would have been another blow, one he doesn't know if he could take right now.

Or maybe it's distressing, that Intensity would just let him do whatever he wanted. Wouldn't stop him. Wouldn't fight back.

Either way, it's not like he knows what he even wants right now.

He thrusts the blade straight into Intensity's stomach -- but it phases through him harmlessly, like it's a mere apparition. His Heart Weapon is a blade that couldn't harm Intensity no matter what its wielder does with it.

King just makes a low, frustrated sound in his throat, hands trembling on the hilt. ]

1/3

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

[Intensity doesn't flinch. Even though he was expecting some little sting or irritation. Some inner desire in King that he did in fact just wanted him to go away. Did resent his presence here.

But it doesn't. Nothing at all. A gust of wind would have had more effect.]

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

[God he doesn't even have time to parse the million of emotions that hit him like a freight train when that happens.

Relief. Surprise. Warmth. Appreciation. Affection. Love. And most importantly, trust. Pure, simple, and bottomless.

But there's no time to linger on that. No time because King is still...]

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

[Slowly. Carefully. He places his hand over King's trembling ones]

Just when I think you've played every card up your sleeve. . .

You never disappoint me, Atem.

[puzzlekeeper]

[ He doesn't lift his head. ]

Wrong. I fail everyone.

[ The Heart Weapon dissolves, leaving his hands empty and bereft. ]

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

Oh really?

[Empty hands just means Intensity can lace his fingers with one of them. And grip the back of the base of King's skull to pull him even closer]

How so?

[puzzlekeeper]

[ He tries to pull back, but it doesn't exactly work. ]

. . .

[ Softly, after a moment: ]

Don't just let people stab you.

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

[It does not work. Not in the least. And Intensity, unlike King, is not nearly gracious enough to give him an out]

I don't. It's reserved for rivals only. And only when I'm feeling generous.

So.

Are you going to explain what you mean by that? You won't like the alternative.

[puzzlekeeper]

[ There's a long pause, and then it seems like some of the fight goes out of him, replaced with a bone-deep exhaustion. ]

I don't care.

Do what you want.

1/2

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

As if I'd do anything else!

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

[But it seems that what Intensity wants is to walk King backwards until he's pressed up against the nearest wall.]

[puzzlekeeper]

[ Oh.

Okay?

Why are we doing this though? ]

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

[Why does Intensity do anything?

Maybe it's because King's avenues for escape are fairly limited like this. Maybe it's because Intensity can press his palm heavily next to King's head so he can loom over him.

(Maybe it's because there are no convenient Ferris Wheels to toss him out of. That worked last time. ... Sort of.)]

So.

If I am to understand this correctly.

You dying to save your kingdom, imprisoning your soul for countless years, was failing your people.

[puzzlekeeper]

[ His arm jerks suddenly, like he has a renewed investment in breaking free. ]

What does this have to do with anything?

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

You say you fail everyone. Not true.

. . .

The only person you've ever failed is yourself.

[puzzlekeeper]

[ He bares his teeth, anger suddenly flaring again. ]

And Yugi? You think I didn't fail him?

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

Has there been even one second since you found out where you haven't been thinking of how you're going to get to him? How you're going to get him back?