( imeeji ) IC Inbox

[puzzlekeeper]

[ He hasn't set up a voicemail.

Figure it out. ]

Comments

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

[Oh. King just said the magic word. So with a very Pavlovian (or maybe just instinctive) response:]

Duel me.

[puzzlekeeper]

[ . . . Laughs. ]

Okay.

Is that why you came?

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

[A slow spreading smirk]

No.

That's just an added bonus.

[puzzlekeeper]

I see.

Duel before or after, then?

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

Oh definitely before.

[puzzlekeeper]

Fine. But we're doing it on my bed.

[ This isn't even intentional innuendo ]

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

[It doesn't even come across at it (by Intensity's obvious lack of flustering). Only dueling now.

Stepping out of his shoes before getting up on the bed.]

Don't think you're going to win this time.

[puzzlekeeper]

[ Settling across from him and pulling out his deck, which somehow is not narration innuendo either.

Making a "bring it on" gesture. ]

Then prove it.

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

[And like the Little Engine That Could, Intensity goes 110% into the duel. To do anything else would be an insult to his rival.

Also, he desperately needs bragging rights.]

[puzzlekeeper]

[ And here's the miracle of miracles, that moment Intensity always craves, that one he can savor more than anything else.

Intensity wins. ]

Wow . . . that was incredible.

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

[Wait.







What?

He still has his hand on his final monster card and is just waiting for King to flip that final trap card.

And yet. It never comes.]

[puzzlekeeper]

[ He leans forward, concerned.

The villain laugh should have started by now. ]

Intensity. You won.

1/2

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

[He studies King's face closely. Ready to raise holy hell if he even thinks for a moment that King has thrown the match. Is testing him.]

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

[But no, that is actual genuine concern from his rival.

And Intensity immediately shoves all the cards out of the way with a wide sweep of his hand so he can pull King into his lap.]

[puzzlekeeper]

[ ?????

Is this a "claiming his prize" thing? ]

Intensity!

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

[Yes!

Wait, ---- no!

And he's pressing the back of his flesh hand against King's forehead while the other one is secure around his middle.]

What is it?

[puzzlekeeper]

[ Craning his neck to peer up at him.

--Oh. Intensity is actually concerned. ]

Something has to be wrong for you to defeat me?

I won't accept insults to my rival so lightly.

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

[Can he hear as well as see Intensity's eyes rolling? (Flattering statement or not.)]

If it was just me winning, that would be a different story.

But you're also preparing to try and sleep by yourself.

[puzzlekeeper]

[ He huffs a bit and then deflates. ]

I'm fine.

Just worried about some things.

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

More than the usual?

[puzzlekeeper]

. . . Yes, I suppose so.

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

. . .

Had a bad kissing game?

[puzzlekeeper]

What? No.

Did you?

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

Didn't play.

Something lingering from the House then? Or D.Va?

[puzzlekeeper]

Both, but more than that.

Why doesn't it ever bother you . . .

[ Trails off, opens his mouth, then hesitates.

And blurts out the rest: ]

--Your relationship to me always creates problems for you. It did with Glory. Now Man Eater. And D.Va is upset, too.