redhatkun

[redhatkun]

caposition‌:

Her jaw dropped. Partially in the sheer shock at his confidence, and partially in mild horror. Not to be rude - after all it wasn’t like she had any place to say this - but what exactly did he even know about these affairs?

Yes, it was nice he was volunteering to help, but… Was she just not clear enough? Or was he just being stubborn again? Weren’t people supposed to listen to their elders… even if it was only by one year?

Her fingers tapped against the counter, nervousness giving her the jitters that needed some way out. What was she going to say? How was she going to say the truth so that he would get it?

It took her a few seconds to gather her thoughts in one place, and get herself back together again. Enough for at least some sort of response.

A sigh - resignation - she knew she couldn’t. It was like when he found out about how Quattro really was all over again, but to a different degree and reason.

“I’m sorry, but in this… I don’t think I can trust you…”

Deep down she did, in the deepest depths of her being she wanted this to be possible. However…. the rest of her being was telling her that it wasn’t - in any way - conceivable.

Oh...

Oh, wow, OK! Didn’t expect that response. Like---at all. Absolutely brutal! He’s honestly feeling a little sucker-punched right now. Lookin’ it too if his jaw really is hanging that low and his eyes really are the “oh crap” kinda big the strain on his face seems to suggest, but he can’t help it! What kind of reaction was he supposed to have when the kindest, sweetest, never-say-a -bad-word-to-anyone person he knows just insults him? So bluntly too. 

It was kinda...Sharkish.

Taking a moment to recover from both this sudden trip to a different reality and that kinda bizarre thought he finally found the determination to force out the question he desperately needed to ask.

“What do you meAN...”

....

..............

Shoulders shot up, defensive against both the stare he knew sure he was going to be getting and the sudden failure of his traitorous body. Tilting his hat downward was enough to hide most of his now flushing face, but the redness creeping up his ears was enough to let anyone with eyes know how un-flippin’-cool he saw that little voice crack. And because the world/this meat sack he’s inhabiting wanted to continue ruining his image as a dependable kind of dude and making him wish for the sweet embrace of 6 feet of dirt, his voice wasn’t working.

He cleared his throat, then again because man his throat was tight. When did that even happen? Idly a hand rubbed against the building ache in his chest. A frown. OK, sure, the words hurt, but grow a pair man. What are you going to do---cry? Yeah, that’s going to inspire confidence. Ridiculous. Grow up and get the dang question out. 

He did. Less righteously indignant than hoped for. Softer and less steady than he wanted, but, finally, too many fortifying breaths later, the full question came out. 

“Why can’t you?”

[redhatkun]

caposition‌:

Oh no. Oh no no no no no no. Was this really happening? She had been doing her very best to avoid any talk or even any acknowledgment that her little crush even existed. Now Kosuke was here to try to help her?

If her chords were capable of handling it, she would have shrieked in pure terror. Even her spirits had tried to get her to confess, and it was the only matter she absolutely refused to accept their help on.

Just because! Really! It would never happen! He just just so cool, and strong and she… well…

Was probably invisible to a guy like him, and would always be! So why bother when everyone should know just how it would end! It would be like one of her father’s books! Tragic and horrible!

“L-listen, Kosuke!” She reprimanded in as stern of a tone as she could physically muster. It was no use lying at this point, but she still knew more about this than him. Probably.

“It’s just… it would never happen, even if I did say anything. So, please, just forget about it ok? He doesn’t even know I exist so… so…!”

There was a hint of desperation there that she only recognized after she had said anything, which ended up with her gazing downwards as she fiddled with her fingers for a few moments in a silent plea for him to drop this whole notion.

“Unacceptable!”

And there went his smile, plummeting into the very depths of gloomy frowndom. Previously sunny features clouded over as he stared at her, a miffed stormcloud hovering over her flowers. It isn’t even a surprise to him that she’d say something like that. Hana’s self-esteem is so low you’d have to dig a hole to find it. Like, if it were a physical object someone dropped outside the Litterbots would swarm. 

Doesn’t mean that it didn’t physically enrage him every time! How could a person so nice and awesome just be so down on herself?

Well, that attitude ain’t gonna fly. Not this time. Not anytime in fact, but especially this time! Happiness for Hana is right there---all grabbable and tentacle-haired---and Kosuke will not allow her to throw her shot away. Conviction almost physical in how it burned in his chest, through his veins, until it left his hands curled and quaking in restrained energy. He stepped forward. 

“First of all, hush up. You’re awesome. Second of all, you, me, working together, we can have Shark swooning at your feet by the end of the week!” Winning smile, puffed out chest. Confidence practically shined out of him, “Trust me, we got this.”

[redhatkun]

caposition‌:

What?

What!?

There was some bits of flabbergasted stuttering here and there as she took in what just happened. Then realization; and she would have shrieked in sheer embarrassment had it not been for her fragile vocal chords.

“Kosuke I…. think you heard wrong….”

Yes. That was it. She wasn’t lying or anything to try and keep her secret a secret or anything like that.  

“See, that’s what I thought too...” Equally earnest though the response was, it was noticeably quieter than his previous explosion of a question. The frazzled wild-eyed expression he had when barging into the shop had smoothed into something far sterner. Hana trying to lie was massively adorable and all, but he wasn't going to take it! Answers were needed, details looked into, and a potential date need to be planned. C’mon Kosuke, full speed ahead! “But, like, everyone is pretty confident that you do.”

They had even, to his past self's total disbelief, stayed confident when he’d given them super good reasons why Hana liking Shark was flipin’ stupid. Reasons like how she always hid whenever he came near or never talked to him. Even a reason like how Hana was super sweet and good and how she should know that Shark would break her heart and make her cry and how he, Kosuke, best big bro figure in the world, would have to then duel him in her honor. The friend group would rent asunder, splitting them into camps that would clash in one dramatic duel between friends-turned-enemies and end...!

What was he thinking about again? Oh yeah, his rock-solid evidence that no one was impressed by. 

Well...not so rock-solid he guessed. Kosuke’s eyes slipped down towards his fist, clenching and unclenching. If everyone believed the crush to be true, then he had to have missed something. Which was why he had sprinted over here, to begin with---to get the answers to do the things and make sure everything is happy! Even if Hana’s hesitance basically confirmed it he still wanted to talk to her about it. He turned his newly determined gaze back to her.

“Look,” a step was taken forward, “I’m not here to embarrass or mock you or anything. I just want to say that if you do like him for sure I’ll totally help you in whatever way I can!” 

[redhatkun]

Footsteps pounded up the sidewalk to the door of the flower shop. The door swung open revealing a flushed, manic Kosuke slumped and almost panting at the threshold. Eyes swept over daisies, roses, and orchids until they fell on Hana. A deep breath, another, and finally, almost as a shout, the revelation that had been plaguing his mind since the beginning of this little sprint from the school burst out of him.

“Holy crap, Hana, you like Shark?!” 

@caposition

[redhatkun]

caposition‌:

Good. That means they were done then. A huff left her as she turned back to her own duel disk, as if silently making her intention for him to leave clear. Still, he might not be clever enough to see that, so she gave a dismissive wave towards his direction.

“Good. Now could you get out of here? I’d rather not have anyone see my process since it’s what I’m here for.

Wouldn’t want any of it being leaked and all.”

Did that mean she didn’t trust him? Maybe. Who knew who would do what in this situation. War does things to people, from what she understood. Better not mark the only other person with common sense here any different.

To her, she felt that ominous note was the end of it. She didn’t really need his approval, after all. Hell, she didn’t need anyone’s approval. Still there was one thing she had to say before she turned back into completely ignoring both him and everyone else here.

“Oh, and if you’re suspicious of me - don’t be. People who think that playing this card game is a good way of taking over something are idiots. I don’t ally myself with idiots when I have the choice.”

.....

Upward motion stopped as he slowly turned to look at her again, her last statement enough to draw his attention to her again. His expression was a blank stare, but in the depths of his eyes one might be able to see a silent ‘are you serious?’

What did she expect him to do with that? Smile and trust her wholeheartedly? Oh yes, sweet stranger, that trite reassurance has swept all doubts away. The light has been seen. How, after that impassioned, well-reasoned plea, could he ever doubt her again? Nevermind the fact that she said literally the most cliched line that every doublecrossing character in media has uttered, that he has no reason to trust her, that their way of using card games is not exactly what she might consider smart either, and, oh, war had a way of changing minds (especially cynical minds) real fast. No, forget that, obviously blindly believing her in the name of unearned trust was the best. Go, team!

Seriously, how stupid did she think he was? Kotaro hoped that wasn’t an earnest attempt to placate him, otherwise, he might have to reevaluate her intelligence. 

Nothing for it though. She’s done with this conversation and he’s done as well. Might as well take what he’s learned and do what he does best...engage as little as possible while continuously distrusting her. 

A quick smile, placed quite deliberately on his face, flashed down at the girl. If she cared to look she might see the faintest glimpses of condensation twinkling on the edges of his lips. The smile of a man humoring, not believing but unwilling to push the issue. Turning away he threw a hand up in casual acknowledgment before taking a slumped seat back on the couch. 

A sigh, a push of his hat over his eyes, and a shift deeper into the pillows. If Akaba and the rest were going to take their sweet time getting here, he’d have to make productive use of the waiting. Nap time it was. 

[redhatkun]

caposition‌:

Fun. Fantastic. Now he was starting to pry into her info. That was her job - stop that.

Still, she managed a sigh, annoyed but at the same time mildly amused. At least someone here was going to ask what she was going to do. Or at least, the person asking was someone reasonable and not a complete flop.

Well, he was a little flop based on her observations, but not as bad as some people in here.

“Not very. I account for about one percent of that calculation. Taking into account most of my plans getting sidetracked and derailed and leaving me unable to do my job.”

What she was trying to say, was that if she was able to just do what she wanted things would be a lot better in terms of percentages. Though, guess now she had to say just what that was. Just, to get that out of the way.

“I’m not here to duel. I’m here to keep people from dueling. Hacking and busting the duel disks via my fun little hacks. Even taking into account the possibility of their vaccines outpacing my viruses, I can still do enough wide-spread damage to the lower levels and get them out of the way for a bit.

I think. Maybe. Those odds aren’t too good either, but it’s higher than if I were to get forced into a duel.

That cover it for ya?”

Yeah, by that tired tone, she felt like she explained enough.

Oh, goodness, was he prying?

Amusement suddenly welled up in Kotaro, rising from his chest to sharpen the upturned edges of his lips to sit and shine in smirking eyes. He didn’t waste any effort trying to hide his expression, though he was very, very sure that the girl next to him would find it annoying. Can’t be helped though; she was just so like him. 

Well, she was actually answering his questions instead of telling him straight up screw off so not exactly like him. Still the most sensible person so far and, if her skill was as decent as she implied, ridiculously useful. Having a hacker on their team is one of the best decisions Akaba has made so far. Let others cry their bitter broken “it’s not fairs” and “dishonorables”. Their cries will be sweet music as the enemy is quickly stripped of the skills they oh so gleefully lorded over people. Lips tried to curl into a wicked smile, but Kotaro pushed it back down into a satisfied smirk. Oh, yes, this girl will be useful. 

Such a shame the very things he liked her for make her completely untrustworthy. But that’s life folks. He’ll be keeping an eye out for her inevitable betrayal, probably at the most inconvenient and heartwrenching of times. 

With that decision came relaxation. His smile softened, the shine of his eyes dulled and the corners drooped. Shoulders and posture slumped downward carelessly. Acceptance. What a drug. 

“Yeah.” Arms crossed behind his head as he leaned back against the wall, the very picture of doneness. He spared the girl a glance, “I think I got the picture.” 

[redhatkun]

caposition‌:

“Huh. Touche, red-head.” 

An obvious reference to that hat, but she’ll think of something better in the future. Assuming, of course, they live that long. She put her disk down, and eyed him from the sides of her vision. 

Yeah, just by that tone he didn’t want to be here either. Not to mention the question he asked, which she had ran through at least ten equations with the info she had managed to get a look at before being drafted. The reminder of them brought a sigh to her, hands holding her chin as she slumped in something like resignation.

Or, at the very least, pessimism. Pessimism to an unhealthy degree that littered her tone and posture. If that didn’t answer his question, she was certain to answer it vocally, sitting back up to grab her duel disk and start pulling up some mumbo-jumbo program she was pretty sure only she and that omniscient four-eyed asshat could comprehend.

“Taking our dear leader’s current habit into account and him out of the equation, the sheer number the enemy seems to have, the numbers we have along with our own performance based on that dumb tournament… and it’s not good.”

Another sigh as she stared at the number which continued to cement her disdain at being here.

“This thing’s got about a 78% chance of failure, even taking into account four-eyes’ omniscience. Does that sound ‘bout right to you, fellow grump?”

“Enlightening, actually.” About more than just their chances. Those few sentences and that percentage were plenty for Kotaro to start putting together the picture of this girl: analytical, skeptical, and pessimistic to the core. A kindred dour spirit. It should feel like some fluff piece meeting of like souls, sparkly background not included. And it was, trust him, another actually smart person was welcome, but...

Well, forgive him for not basking, but that number has left him a little stunned.

He knew their odds were bad. They were a specter that lingered over his thoughts and feelings even as he continued on this path. Victory, if they could even claim it, would be a hard-won and traumatizing venture that would probably need therapy. Or a coroner. Hurtful, difficult, almost not even worth it; this little war of Akaba’s was going to be all this and more, he could guarantee it.

Still, and he felt a wry smirk form on his face, even he had estimated more than 22 percent. To find himself as the more hopeful one was...strange. He didn’t like it. Kotaro had to admit it though; in this match of sour outlooks, he was outmatched. Bow to the new queen, ladies and gentlemen. All hail. 

With this new information tucked safely away for further thought and integration into his strategies, he let himself quip back,

“But how do you factor into that number?”

[redhatkun]

caposition‌:

She didn’t want to be here. It’s one of the few times she ever regretted hacking something, because it lead to this. Yeah, sure, avoiding the destruction of her home was important and all, but what the hell did she know about fighting in wars? She could barely duel, and it was mostly thanks to her monsters just being strong! Hell, she had just spent the last half hour or so just looking over her shiny, brand new, pendulum cards. 

Seriously. She was pretty much guilt-tripped into being here. Senko had done her best to keep these…. probably questionable (some more than others, like that edgy teen in the long-coat and that idiot with the huge ego) people away from her with simple glares.

She was thankful it had worked for the most part, but now she was getting bored. How long was their boss and the rest going to be out? Weren’t they in a rush or something? 

Right before she had begun fiddling with her duel disk to get more viruses ready for this big fight, because who knew what kind of tech the enemy would have, someone had the gall to get up and sit next to her.

Oh, it was someone else that felt like their time could be better spent elsewhere - or at least going about this in a far more efficient manner. Good. Someone else that wasn’t a complete idiot. Still, she couldn’t help but let snark slip out of her lips instead of giving an actual proper greeting.

“You must be real desperate to come sit over here rather than mingle with this-” She made a vague, somehow insulting, hand gesture to the rest of the Lancers “interesting crew.”

“No more than you.” A response he made sure was just as flippant as her greeting, even if the tone was a bit ruined by the smirk growing on his face. Being right was satisfying as usual. If he had been wrong and actually had another Kurosaki, Moon Shadow, or, and his soul shivers at the thought, another Sawatari on his hands, he might have wept. But no such disappointments needed to be faced. For instead of just another teammate he may have found an interesting conversation partner to complain with. 

Her snark wasn’t the only thing that was interesting though. Cards in his duel disk, hat back on his head, he glanced up at her from under the brim. What was also interesting was, from what he’s observed, she wants to be here even less than him. 

It wasn’t subtle to begin with and it certainly wasn’t subtle when she insultingly gestured at the rest of the group and said interesting as a backhanded compliment, no matter how much he enjoyed hearing it. She didn’t want to be here with them, and yet she stayed? Curious...

Well, as long as she doesn’t ruin their chances he didn’t really need to care about the whys and hows. He’ll just enjoy the banter. 

“Be honest, how doomed do you think we are?”

[redhatkun]

Well, this was off to a grand start. Twenty minutes of waiting and three people, some of whom he would consider, oh he didn’t know, completely vital to this whole operation, were missing. Truly, the dire solemnity of Akaba’s speeches had been taken to heart. Especially by the man himself. Who seems to be just waiting to descend from on high.

Another card flicked into his overturned hat, assimilating into the already sizeable pile. His last card in fact. Kotaro glanced down at his empty hands with a grief more appropriate for a lost duel than the loss of time waster. He could get up and go get them, but that would involve moving and he wasn’t into that right now. 

But he also wasn’t into contemplating the poor chances and suddenly increased possibility of death by card that he’d been roped into. He eyed the rest of the Lancers. An avenger, a reformed (or so she claimed. Kotaro wasn’t holding his breath) extremist, two showboaters, one of whom was an idiot, and a ninja. Good duelists, but disasters of humans. He questioned their chances and Akaba’s process. Then his gaze fell on her. 

It wasn’t exactly a leap to see how little she wanted to be here. The glares weren’t exactly hidden, and honestly, he respected that. He didn’t want to be here, for this to be necessary. The business of war should be led by adults, not a bunch of teenagers. To see someone seemingly agree with that viewpoint (or at least agree that there were other places for them to be) validated him. Certainly, made him feel a fledgling bond form with this outsider. A certain solidarity in sanity. 

Speaking of sanity, if he wanted to preserve his he’d better move. Sawatari had been sending looks in his direction and the last thing he wanted was to be dragged into his inane grandstanding. Apathy shaken Kotaro got up, retrieved his hat of cards, and moved to sit down next to the girl. 

@caposition

[redhatkun]

redhatkun‌

If that string of condescension was supposed to calm him down or make him listen then she was as dumb as her finishing insult. Irritation that had lingered in his chest since she had spoken oh so softly of his hero’s monstrosity erupted into full-fledged outrage. Kotaro’s eyes narrowed, fists tightening almost instinctually. 

How just like an adult to be so snooty. Lording her extra years over him like that made her more qualified to live his life. Screw her. She didn’t know him and she definitely didn’t know Quattro! 

He was so ready to fight. He wanted to make her take back those words, but the look on her face seemed to show that that wasn’t happening anytime soon. Icy blankness, like she was chatting with an unwanted neighbor and not accusing one of the best, nicest celebrities in the world of being a manipulative jerk. If someone was going to say stuff like that then they should at least glare, or raise their voice! Something! But no, there she was, a glacier woman. Kotaro felt the fire in his chest grow to make up for the lack of passion on the other side. This was a contest of conviction and he wasn’t going to lose to her. 

“Zip it! Just because I don’t believe you doesn’t mean I’m an idiot! If he really is a big liar then there should be tons of stories around saying so. But there isn’t; you’re the only one I’ve heard say something like that.” The smug so there was left unsaid but heavily implied. 

How opposite the two were from the each other. How he would let his ire and anger and foolish loyalty bubble to the surface like a volcano while she simply stood there, hands continuing their twisting of each other as if she could wring the lava inside of her away. 

She had to maintain her composure. She was not allowed to lash out and spill her secrets to this boy in an attempt to one-up him. No, no. That is not what a princess was supposed to do. No, no. This was a dead end anyways. Theresa simply did not have the time to indulge this child in his little tantrum.

T’was not that she could entirely blame him for the anger, if someone had accused her father of such actions she certainly would have retaliated in a similar manner to the extent she was allowed. But, again, she knew her father. She knew what the real Quattro was like. This boy - this ignorant child that was dwelling in the realm of being willfully so - did not.

It was time for her to continue her search elsewhere in this city. If she and he reached the same goal, she was certain she would see him there anyways.

“If you will excuse me, child.”

Her tone, again, like that of a glacier. Cold and indifferent to his anger that was trying to rip her face away.

“It seems that I must continue my search elsewhere.”

She gave him a curtsy as she would always give to others when being the first to leave, and simply turned, and continued on her way. 

A shame, really, that so many must be blinded by his false radiance to look at his darkness.

[redhatkun]

caposition‌:

Theresa stood there, internally aghast at the words this boy was saying. Only the subtlest queues could indicate her shock and horror at not only just how wrapped in that person’s farce this boy was, but at how she was embarrassed at being yelled at in public - to the point of people staring.

A mildly quivering lower lip, the faintest of glares. Though none truly breached the surface, it was like a blizzard was suddenly brewing on the insides - such was the iciness in her demeanor. 

But she wasn’t simply going to spill her entire reasoning to this stranger, though as a lady of her status, she should still defend herself in some capacity. Being called a jerk just would not do at all!

“Have you ever met him outside of the world of television? Have you ever dueled him in person yourself? He is a skilled liar, and it was reasoning like yours that led to my path.

He is taking advantage of you, and you do not even know it. No, rather, you refuse to believe it.”

If that string of condescension was supposed to calm him down or make him listen then she was as dumb as her finishing insult. Irritation that had lingered in his chest since she had spoken oh so softly of his hero’s monstrosity erupted into full-fledged outrage. Kotaro’s eyes narrowed, fists tightening almost instinctually. 

How just like an adult to be so snooty. Lording her extra years over him like that made her more qualified to live his life. Screw her. She didn’t know him and she definitely didn’t know Quattro! 

He was so ready to fight. He wanted to make her take back those words, but the look on her face seemed to show that that wasn’t happening anytime soon. Icy blankness, like she was chatting with an unwanted neighbor and not accusing one of the best, nicest celebrities in the world of being a manipulative jerk. If someone was going to say stuff like that then they should at least glare, or raise their voice! Something! But no, there she was, a glacier woman. Kotaro felt the fire in his chest grow to make up for the lack of passion on the other side. This was a contest of conviction and he wasn’t going to lose to her. 

“Zip it! Just because I don’t believe you doesn't mean I’m an idiot! If he really is a big liar then there should be tons of stories around saying so. But there isn’t; you’re the only one I’ve heard say something like that.” The smug so there was left unsaid but heavily implied. 

[redhatkun]

caposition‌:

Her eyes had some light in them for a second when he mention he was also looking for a Quattro. An assumption that quickly made that very same light of camaraderie drain instantly. 

She had forgotten there were those in the dark about his true nature. She had forgotten, for the briefest of moments, that Quattro was rather skilled in hiding that dark side of him. She would not have believed it herself had she not been there in person to witness it.

It was her duty to inform this boy of how that monster truly was, right? It would be painful, to know the truth, but it was vital. A small sigh left her, lowering her hands and folding them as her fingers twined in knowing. Apprehension in the slightest sense of the word, that crumpled the picture in her hands.

“You should not wish to see him in action,” Theresa sighed out, despondently “he is a monster.”

“What is wrong with you?” Shouted out after a good long while of gobsmacked silence, the resounding echo was a bomb in the suddenly quiet, staring square. Any previous sunniness had been crushed in the weight of his downturned mouth and eyebrows. Only the blaze in his eyes remained, though more hostile than before. 

Celebrities had always had a charmed life to him. Money, attention, freedom, they had it all. The ugliness of public opinion just a fact that he sort of knew, but never fully realized until it was staring straight at him with a fancy dress and headband. Calling someone who had done nothing wrong a monster, who did she think she was?

Well, he wasn’t going to stand for it.  

“Quattro is not only an amazing duelist, he is an amazing guy. He always hangs out with his fans and signs autographs and listens to them and is kind even if it takes forever and he’s late for his competitions. He’ll even duel with his fans for free. He’s not a monster and you,” a finger pointed at her for emphasis, “are just a jerk!”

[redhatkun]

SEND ME A YU-GI-OH! CHARACTER

And I’ll answer:

Why I like them/why I don’t

What I like about their appearance

Do I prefer their dub names or original names?

OTP

NOTP

OT3

Favourite card they use

Favourite moment they were in

Least favourite moment

Would I fuck, marry or kill them

[redhatkun]

Oh! Another fan?

It had taken him a little by surprise, being so suddenly questioned by some stranger. And he means a little because he certainly didn’t jump and squeak when he had felt that tap on his shoulder. He didn’t. But once he saw that picture and heard that question that surprise was drowned beneath a wave of excitement.

She must have seen the rumor on the fansite as well! A smile curled wide across his face as he turned his glowing, ecstatic features to stare up at this fancily dressed lady. Already he could feel a connection forming between them; the unbreakable connection of mutual fans!

“You’re looking for him too? Awesome. I haven’t seen him yet either, which sucks ‘cause I really wanted to see him in action, y’know?”

@redhatkun

This was her best chance to get back at him for what she did to her father. She had prepared her skills, gotten permission to fly to this distant country, and all manner of busy work to get here. 

Her chilled, stern look was nothing short of some form of determination in this quest. It was her duty as someone of her rank to rid this place of such a vile human being. 

Quattro… That vile, pathetic excuse of a human being was still crawling around here - she knew it. Why wouldn’t he be here to gather those Number cards for some nefarious purpose that would harm civilians?

Of course that was what she was thinking, looking around this large city for him. Shame she wasn’t even sure where to begin in a place like this. It pained her, but she really should ask someone from around here for some assistance - they wouldn’t mind helping someone like her anyways, right?

“Excuse me…” She asked, politely as she tapped the shoulder of the first person she spotted that resembled a duelist (a person that would probably know this info), holding a picture she had as a reference.

“I am looking for this individual. Pray tell, have you seen him?”

[redhatkun]

caposition‌:

She knew. She wasn’t stupid. Deep down she knew that this would only hurt the others in the end, and herself. But, she just couldn’t do it. She couldn’t accept this, not any of this. Not what had happened to Satellite, not what had happened to her, not what had happened to her friends, and especially not what happened to Kalin.

“I have to go.”

It was not that she had to leave Keita right now, but she knew she had to leave this city. She needed to get away, take a breathe, recollect, and maybe…

She took a deep breath in, finally able to speak something honest for once. Her tone wavering as what happened began to emerge to the surface of her mind. She didn’t like it - she didn’t like how it made her heart tighten to the point where she felt like she was drowning.

“I can’t leave Kalin alone, and I can’t be here. It’s suffocating, I can’t even think about telling them I’m leaving without that happening.

Keita… I’m going to be leaving soon, and… if you see the rest of our friends… let them know I’m alright if nothing else, just…”

Even though she never said it, it was clear by the silence she left after what she meant.

Just leave me alone now.

An answer he half expected and yet still left him with a sour taste in his mouth. Not helping was the anger smoldering in his chest. Not at her, but at everything that’s happened.

Keita was a man of facts and fact was he was useless. He knew machines. The right part, the right tool, skill, and almost anything could be made good as new. But people were not machines and the scars of a mind couldn’t be solved with his wrench or ratchet. Shadows lingered and he had to admit, however

There was nothing left to say; to linger would be a cruelty to the both of them. Before he left though...

If one were to look away from his retreating figure they would see the small figures of Infernity Guardian and Fabled Leviathan placed where he had been sitting. Plain at first glance, a closer look would see the consideration in the exacting mold, the sleepless nights in the delicate curves and edges of the engravings, the kindness etched for eternity into the faces of his friend’s monsters, who look out into the world not with their usual anger or smirking delight, but with a determination that Keita hoped to offer. A healing found in new toys and old, fond memories.

Closing the rooftop door, he hoped that his gift would express his wishes better than any words would.  

[redhatkun]

caposition‌:

She bit her lip a little, reminding herself that this was just how Keita was at times. Saying things in a way that was like he was accusing others without meaning to. The fact was, it still made her heart tighten a little because it was still true. She really didn’t look for them because she knew she would just be leaving them again.

“You really need to learn how to stop sound like that at some point.”

It was an attempt to move away from that topic, but with how she sighed it out, it was clear what her answer was.

“You know how hard it can be to find them if they’re not in their usual places, and I’ve been really busy at the same time…”

Those were weak excuses, and she knew it.

All one would have to do was glance at Keita’s frowning, dead-eyed features to see how deeply unimpressed he was at her response. Faulty excuses, avoidance, what did she hope to accomplish with those? It wasn’t fooling him or fixing the problem. All it did do was add to the awkwardness lingering like thick, rancid smog.

How she would think this atmosphere was preferable to honesty is baffling. 

Still, he wasn’t a moron. He could see the defensive curl of her shoulder, her bitten lip. That, not her coverup, convinced him to soften his approach. 

“You’ll hurt yourself and the others with your excuses.”

Perhaps...not quite enough though. 

[redhatkun]

caposition‌:

“Recently? No.”

She sighed, twining her fingers together behind her back, about to explain in detail as to why before her mind pushed those reasons out of the way. Those reasons hurt too much, after all, so it’s better to just push them away.

“I wanted to say goodbye to the gang as well but I can’t find them.”

Yeah, that’s good enough wasn’t it? It wasn’t wrong, so…

“You’re done avoiding them?” His response came more from curiosity than irritation---though it was a difficult distinction to make with his tone as bland as it was. Cadenza had, after all, been rather scarce since Goodwin, no, even since Kalin. Not that he couldn’t imagine why, but they were supposed to be friends. Was slinking off and wallowing the better path? More than talking with them?

He needed more information. Answers to the curiosity that clawed at his mind. Answers to soothe the restless tightening of his heart. Answers to stop what could be the past repeating. 

“Or did you even really look?”