#♢ || Two Faces of the Same Coin (V: Mirror Shenanigans)

[necrostar]

He figured that was going to get brought up. And, well, it was nice being able to explain the situation to someone who could get it.

"I've never had a problem with heights." No, no. That wasn't it at all.It was something else that he didn't like to talk about. Something worse. "Malik just made it worse, honestly. They hardly got along as it was, but... They... I... was unraveling. I felt it." Even now he finds it hard to describe. But, for Gold, he'll do his best.

"It wasn't painful at first. Just a weird feeling. Like something was out of place. I wasn't built to house three like that." The crowding, so many people talking to him at once. Gods, just thinking about it now recalled the headache he got from it. "Nobody would shut up, everyone's backseat gaming, did he do that to you too?" How he wished to be able to reach inside of him and strangle everyone who opened their gods-damned mouth that day.

"Lo and behold, all of us get shipped off to the Shadow Realm, and guess what? They have this massive fight, and I start coming apart." Even now, he had to pause and pinch himself to be sure that he was right there and real. He didn't come away from it unaffected.

"It's like someone shoved me into a paper shredder, lit it on fire, steamrolled it, pounded it with hammers, lit it on fire again, and then stabbed it into oblivion. I could not recommend that less." It was a miracle he remembered any of that at all! "You can imagine that it's hard to remember things when you're slowly dying and they decide to puppet you in a last ditch effort to get anything done. Everything after that is an out of body experience that I barely remember."

Felt kinda nice to get that off his chest. Really nice. Like, wow, he had all that shoveled down because nobody would understand. Yet, well, here he was!

"Anything else you want to know?"

"....Unless you were the cause of this? I don't need your apology." Of course, Bakura was aware it was being extended toward the situation, blase pleasantries and all. He didn't want it, regardless if it was genuine, or spoken right out the ass.

...As least, as far as he told himself. Truth be told? It was.... Nice to hear from someone in such a similar situation. No otherworldly abilities, well, part from the two companions his counterpart had holed up in his skull. But he'd hardly call that an ability.

A pause, thinking. He himself had very clear memories of Battle City-- running his arm through with a knife, swallowing his pride and catering to the whims of a certain blonde with a god complex...

"Battle City. You mentioned having a distaste for that blimp-- and I'll assume that wasn't due to a fear of heights."

[necrostar]

That question alone was enough to change his tune completely. His gaze became downcast. The feelings, the emotions that came with it, all of it came to the forefront of his mind. Shove it down, Star. Shove it down. That's not you anymore. He turned to go clean himself up, only pausing to state just this one little thing . . .

"...If you knew what he did, does, to me, you'd be cheering too." And he started walking away.

Star's soul, as sweet as the exterior was . . . the inside betrayed quite a bit. It was dark. Cold. And... empty. Zorc's presence was still there. It was thick. It was a black sludge, draped over the Thief's red, shattered remnants. It pierced every part of him. It was woven tightly, forcibly holding cracked pieces, both of Zorc and Thief King, into one. It was almost as if he was holding the soul together. Or... souls? Upon closer inspection, it had been split into two smaller pieces. Only conjoined through Zorc's efforts.

And, it would seem, that the prying didn't go unnoticed. 

The black goo suddenly tightened its grip, violently pushing the two halves against each other. Star stopped dead in his tracks. He stood uncomfortably still for what must've felt like an eternity. Slowly, shuffling, he turned to face his counterpart. The light in those eyes wasn't there. His posture had straightened. That face held no emotion, nothing. It was like someone else was standing there. Someone who didn't quite enjoy the prodding.

"I would not advise prodding into that which does not concern you." Even his voice didn't sound the same. Cold, commandeering. Not quite monotone, but suspiciously calm. Reminiscent of someone... thing... that was perhaps once in power. "I do not take kindly to intrusion on my domain. You, of all things, should know that. There is a reason it chose wisely to hold its tongue."

"He did." Godling confirmed. He didn't let it show, but the phrasing had struck him in an unpleasant way. He'd taken years to stop feeling misery at the thought of his creators demise, the pure joy on his alternates face was startling.

"You didn't enjoy your time with Zorc." He surmised, trying to surreptitiously feel out this alternates soul to feel for what links to Zorc he might have had.

"Down the hall you'll find the shower to the left. There's towels and clothes in the cupboard you're about my size so it should fit. I won't watch. I'll put the tea on." This wasn't one of Godlings usual homes, but he still had thought to fill it with supplies. Sometimes versions of him needed a place to stay and he tried to anticipate their needs.

Godling padded to the kitchenette and set to making tea. He had honey cakes somewhere too. And he needed the time it took to set everything up to think. This was going very well so far but he couldn't completely let his guard down. Even if his other self had seemed to sweet and needy, cold and wet in the forest.

[necrostar]

His expression immediately betrayed his discomfort at the question. Do you live together? Oh, did they. Did they ever. His gaze immediately diverted to the incense that he made, silent while considering how he should word the answer to that, quite frankly, loaded question.

"...Define 'alive.'" It was dawning on him that he was stuck with a, quite frankly, unique situation. Everyone else was the Thief King or threw him out with the Tuesday trash (as they should, in his opinion). So, he was on his own on how to navigate this tentative situation. He can feel how the Thief King is dying to know how he's going to try and explain this without sounding insane.

"We definitely live together. He's a roommate I would do absolutely anything to evict." Oh, there comes the cackling. It drove him up the wall. "It's a long story that I'm starting to realize sounds completely fucking insane, even for Bakura standards." Can they talk about something else now?!

"BUT I mean, I cook too. I like to hike, stargaze when the weather's good. I collect things." Started a small gemstone collection because it makes the Thief King happy, but this ain't about him! "I'm afraid this is the most impressive hobby I have, sorry to disappoint!" Anything to not have to open that can of worms.

"Your Thief is alive?" It shouldn't have been so surprising, he had met many versions of his thief and many versions of himself still attached to theirs. But this him seemed so .. put together. "Do you live together?"

He smiled softly at the question, watching the smoke of the incense curl delicately into the air.

"I- no. I don't. I have my mission. Sometimes I make food or watch my people to make sure they're safe. I don't do things like this. This is impressive. I always tell my followers they must cultivate a creative skill. Do you have many others?"

[necrostar]

He... made them little homes? Like houses? Front door and all? He knew nothing about keeping pets; Ryou was never allowed any in his apartment. And admittedly neither of them often went anywhere that had them. So this was an... interesting experience, to say the least. 

"I don't know a lot of people who have pets." Bakura admitted, shoving his hands into his pockets. "It's not like Ryou ever had a lot of friends." That didn't need elaboration. What happened between them all those years ago spoke volumes in their own right. "Do you have any other pets I should know about?"

"Oh no no, no more cats I promise," Atem laughed quietly. "Just two small spiders I caught in my bathroom. It's a weird hobby I know, but I was curious about it so I made them little homes."

He was leaning over one of these containers, reaching in with a feeder to drop a horn worm in.

"You look shocked, is it really that weird that I have pets?"

[necrostar]

There was a sharp gasp when his back slammed against his own table. His eyes were wide; all the saliva in his mouth had seemingly dried out. This... this was bad. Very, very bad. Bakura racked his brain, desperate to find something, anything, that could explain the other's volatile, rage-filled reaction to the very stupid and impulsive thing that fell from his mouth in the heat of the moment. Yet, he came up with nothing. There was death in those violet eyes and full intent to kill. What could he do about it?

"Wait, hold on, let's talk about th--"

The slam of his wrist into the table got a cry of agony out of him; it wasn't expected and by the gods did it hurt. His internal silence exploded. One one side was a panic, a desperate wrestle to get control and handle the situation. On another, a dumbfounded silence that was giving into fury. A second contender to yank control and discipline this insolence. The struggle to be in the forefront, the pain of his wrist and chest, it was overwhelming. It was too much. 

His vision started fading in and out, everything at once was starting to feel like nothing at all. His gaze was half-lidded, struggling to not shut down entirely. There was little, if any, resistance or fight to be had. Hell, Mariku's enraged words went in one ear and out the other. It was code red, and whatever Mariku was saying to him didn't matter. All that mattered him and his components was who got control.

"̶̳̥T̩̦͠H̡̟͙̳͖̭͙AT̳͚̳͝ͅ.̮͇̳̬̜̘̫̕ ̴̘͙̺̜Y̼̝̱͔͢Ọ̜̫̙̬U͘.̭̺̲ ̞̙͢D͙̯̦͖͘I̺̺̞D̥̼̭͉͉.̙͔̬"̘͙̪̪͠

The advice was icy, his inside felt like a tense cobra, hissing and ready to strike. Everything inside of him had pulled together into one rowdy, tense being and his sight had formed into a pin prick form onto the other.

Dully he realized, a voice telling him in panic that he was falling into old patterns and while Bakura flashed before his eyes and may have become Marik's father for a millisecond, he stomped that voice out violently and without regard.

He had the gall to let go of a dark full belly laugh with the other ones scrambling excuses, before he grinned at him widely, toothily.

"If you insist, you abusive, little F̞̟̯͎Ṳ̷̝̠̻͖C̶͍̺̬̲͕̰K̬͔͎̫̩̩̹͜!"

It took him one abundantly strong yank, to let Bakura's back connect to the table, where he fisted it into the front of his shirt to keep him pinned. "Hope you're comfortable, Bakura."

It was mockery of the other ones name, personality, his very existence, like nails screeching over a slate.

"Because I promise, this next part will only h̢̗͓͖̥u̲̱r̨̳̝̱t̪̪̮̭ ̩̺͇̲a͏̣̫̩̞͚͓r͙̠̲̲͉̝o̻̻u͘n̨͈̩͔͈̞̱d ̢̤̲͇̩A͉̮̞̟̟͈͈͜ ̻̞̣̺̠͙͕Ḿ͈͖̟͚̣I̻̺̣̥L̡̥͓͚͖͙̗ͅL̲̞̳I̘̫͓̦O̵͉̱̤͎͚N͕̝̳ ͉͎͙̳͕͎T̡̬̜͖̥I̠M͕̻̜͚̻̰E̫̘̬̭͙͈S̯̙̘͖̹̪.̖̥̮̮̣͓̥"̠͕

He felt more than he really caused it, how the shadows behind him crawled up the kitchen walls and ate over the ceiling, his hand slammed one of the pale wrists down into the table so hard he felt the crunch underneath his fingers.

Mariku was breathless by now. He had been kicked around the fucking realm, he had seen how broken Ryo was when he was around him, his psyche completely tortured and decimated to nothing that could regard himself of any worth-

And this... DISGUSTING COCKROACH dared-

This was righteous fury. This was payback.

His hand ripped the front of the other ones shirt clean through and slammed his hand down so hard, his hand split the skin immediately, before he dragged it down like a claw.

He didn't care if the other one would put up a fight, or how much he would hurt him, he wanted to claw him open and rip him to shreads.

It was Bakura's saving grace, that he was so violently enraged that he didn't remember to use the nearby knife, or the shadows, which were at his beck and call, yet, or he would have been split open like turkey dinner.

[necrostar]

Did-- Well not entirely!! He did want it real bad, truth be told. But, it wasn't about to deter him. Wasn't about to show it. His mind was made up. The other couldn't understand how much it meant to him to be free. Away from them. But, still, he had to play it cool. He really was genuinely interested in the other's experiences, don't mistake him. That part just really caught his fancy.

"So you and I are in the same boat. I don't remember mine, either." At all, whatsoever. Nothing. Just the pain that came from it. "Sorry about your loss. That power meant a lot to you, even I can see that. Besides, it's a shit state to be in. Can't do a damn thing and everything you had was just ripped away from you," he snapped his fingers, "just like that." He let a moment pass before adjusting his position, crossing one leg over the other.

"I really am interested in what happened to you. Figured you wouldn't want more of my little sob story than I already gave you." Outwardly, he hardly seemed bothered by it. He wasn't. He was going to do what it took to cut those ties, and that was that on that. Mark his words. "All of us have had a unique experience. I don't think it's that odd to be curious. You can ask me things too, you know. I'm practically an open book."

"That's the part I said I wouldn't be able to tell you much of." A half shrug of his shoulders, he couldn't recall much of anything after that final game. "I assume the Thief was weighed and judged at the scales, and Zorc.... I really don't know." Vanquished completely? Sealed away? Whatever the case, he assumed the Gods dealt with him as they saw fit.

"Bits and pieces of them remained in the shadows. I can't recall much part from swirling darkness, until I was haphazardly sewn together and spat back out here."

Another shrug, and sharp eyes flickered toward Star. "You seem awfully curious about my experiences. If this is out of some far-fetched hope to be in the same state as I am-- you've lost your goddamn mind."

[necrostar]

His hands were immediately held up defensively when he was corrected about the situation. He didn't want to concede it either, but... he supposed he was now in the same boat. He, Zorc, and the Thief King cannot survive without each other. They are one being now, whether they want to admit it or not.

"Force of habit, sorry." He was so used to referring to them in the third person, putting distance between them and himself. It was hard to break that, especially when it was another him. As he listened intently, Star sidestepped the plates and hopped up on his own counter to have a seat. Normally he got pretty angry when people did that but, well, it's house. He does what he wants here. 

"And, look. I know I talk about them separately, but--" They were dead. For once, there was a period of quiet. The inside of his cheeks were bitten in an attempt to contain his excitement. They could be killed? Separated from him? Maybe not in his case, but others have gotten that lucky?? For a fleeting moment, his blue eyes glistened with joy. 

"No, I get it. I don't recall much on my way down. It was like... I could see it, but it wasn't me. All I really remember is feeling like I was being ripped in half for gods know how long. Could've been weeks. Days. Months. I have no idea. Sheer agony. Wouldn't recommend it." Now that some time has passed, he can reflect on it pretty calmly. "Who knows, maybe they pity us. Maybe they want us to suffer more for shits and giggles." He wouldn't put it past them.

"Sounds to me like you weren't held together by duct tape and a prayer." He paused. The thought had crossed his mind many times, and he'd always wondered if someone out there who understood felt the same. Was now the right time to ask? "But... aren't you worried that it won't hold together now? I'm held together by strings. There's nothing left but you. Do you think we'll just... crumble one day without warning?"

Well, luckily for Star-- those plates had been the least of Gold's worries, he'd have to go mining with a pick axe to unearth up any shits he gave regarding some broken dinnerware.

"I've been telling you this entire time-- they weren't they. They were me. In the ring, we weren't three separate entities, we were one entire being. Zorc and the Thief became me." Certainly not to say they were one coordinated being with one singular plan of action-- thoughts pulled, thoughts strayed, desires came and went. One entire being, but one always in flux.

"They left because they're dead." Or at least, so he assumed. Despite his longing for the shadows, for his powers to return-- for some reason, he had never tried to seek them out. "I was too-- kill two halves, and you kill the whole." Could something that was never really alive be dead? It was more along the line of him ceasing to exist. "--But the gods so graciously had it in them to pick up what remained." He spoke with a snarl, detesting their choice.

[necrostar]

It was true, he did look highly upon him. It was a shame to admit, but that was true for almost any other Bakura he'd seen. Compared to them, he was young and didn't really know what he was doing. He was navigating a new world with no map and two companions who utterly despised him.

"I recall most of it, if that's comforting." There was just one teeny tiny thing that drop kicked his entire power tripping joyride into the abyss. "I only started having problems on that stupid blimp." Oh, that was vivid. That... ruined his internal stability, to say the least. That's when the pain started. And by the gods, it hasn't stopped. 

But that's a story for another time.

Luckily for him, he had an answer ready to go. Been a while since he had dust that old nickname off the shelf.

"They called me Star." Wore it like a badge of honor. Long since forgotten why they called him that, but hey! It's something! "Don't worry about those plates. Couldn't care less about them." Finally, he stepped out of the doorway to show the rest of his house. It was quaint, if not a little dark. Very dusty. Smelled heavily of frankincense and dotted with lit candles. Only light in this house that worked, honestly. A silent invitation to come in like an acutal guest.

"So you said that Zorc and the Thief King just kind of left? And you're still alive?" It amazed him, honestly. How? Who did he have to sell his soul to? Why wasn't he that lucky?? "What was it like when they were still around?"

It was quite the boost to the ego, being looked so highly upon by a fellow Bakura-- he was used to downcast eyes and sneers from those who still had full control over the shadows. ...But this one was in a similar enough state to him.

...Still, it was bittersweet. He wasn't being held in high regard-- who he used to be was.

"Incessant voices, and you don't recall all the power you once had?" Yeah, this guy had it rough all around from the sounds of it. Despite still having all parts of him, Bakura didn't envy him one bit. Imagine, not being able to remember every second of drunken power...

Awful. Like it wasn't even worth it--

...He seemed to want to move on, so Bakura moved on in stride. "I've been called Gold by others like us. Is there something you wish to go by?"

[necrostar]

He could see that the other him was starting to understand. He wasn't looking for pity. Nor empathy. Just for someone to understand. It was tiring and hard to do this alone, with no one who could even begin to comprehend it. Besides . . . the other him sounds like he got a way better deal than he did.

Why'd he always get the short end of the stick?

"I wish I could lose it." Having nothing left to lose would make it easier to cope. "Maybe then I could pretend I had it as good as you." Even just pieces of them holding him together, like hot glue holding a pulverized vase, sounded like a much better deal than having the entire package. 

"I absolutely assure you, they don't ever shut up. I've never known a moment where it's just silence." Even now, he can hear them talking. Still gathering their bearings, angry about this sudden appearance, discussing a course of action. The heat is off of him for once. Felt great, honestly! "To be honest, I don't really remember having Zorc's power. Things got a little hazy after a while." That was an entirely different can of worms. One thing at a time. Just met the guy, after all.

"So... all things considered, is there a name I should call you by? Something that isn't Bakura?" Both of them being called that is going to make things very confusing in very short order.

It would seem they had vastly different experiences-- Bakura took keen note in how the other him spoke of the other entities. They all appeared to be entirely separate in his case-- with him being a marionette, led about by painfully tight strings. Far, far from his own more fluid fusion.

"Of course I treated myself as real. And I wasn't a creature, I was practically a god." Speaking on drunken power and a skewed perspective, of course-- but it was his truth, it was how he saw it, so he spoke it into existence, regardless of how close it was to reality.

"--But similar to you, I think I would lose my mind if they were around, separate from me. Nagging voices in my ear." He couldn't empathize, but he could recognize his counterpart's distress. "I want their power, I don't want them. I'd say it'd be nice to become whole again-- but I think they'd weigh me down, bring more of their baggage."

[necrostar]

Not a word left those lips as he listened. So this one savored that life... he must've been treated like a king if he's talking like that. It was eye opening, how different it was. To think that there could've been a place where he was more than something. More than an object. He could've been someone. And gods, that stung. That cut deeper than any shattered plate the other could've thrown.

His gaze lowered. How he hated being able to feel like this. The way his other self spoke about Kul Elna, he felt it. Him. The Thief King's emotions were deeply intertwined in his own. The Thief King's desire to yank him from control. No. No, he will not. This is not his closure.

"I see." What else could he add that the other didn't know? This was a mirror held up to his own face, and he could barely stand to stare. The other clearly liked what he saw. But him?

All he saw was something he should've been.

"A promise is a promise." Maybe now the other will see. Understand. Feel. The deep breath he took was shaky. He never liked recounting this open wound that doesn't have a chance in hell of healing.

"I wouldn't even call it a birth. I was just... there. Couldn't breathe. Couldn't see. Couldn't think. It was dark and cold and tight--" Just thinking about it brought back memories he didn't want. He was silent for a moment to gather his thoughts. Was it bad to say he was deathly terrified of tight spaces? "But there was screaming. Just... screaming. Coming from everywhere. It was loud. It could've been hours, days, years. Maybe even millennia. I'll don't know. I'll never know." Wasn't it cruel, to not even be able to say when you came to be? He certainly thought so. Anyone else could be able to say it. Was that not something to be jealous of?

"Then, suddenly, for the first time in my..." What's the right word for this? Life? Being? "...existence, I have two new voices talking to me. They're shocked. They can't believe it is sentient. They don't even know what to do with me. They tell me, your job is to kill the pharaoh." No matter how badly he tried to swallow his devastation, the pain that came from it, it dredged itself right back up. His Thief King and Zorc were reveling in his misery. He felt it.

"They never even considered me a person. They never call me by my name. They hate me. They wish I wasn't there. I'm something that shouldn't be there. I'm a mistake. And there's not a day that goes by that they don't make sure I know it."

He swallowed thickly. He's just recounting his experiences, but that didn't change the fact that it stung. It was a slap in the face.

"I know you want that power back. You talk about it like it's something anyone would kill to have. But tell me, is it worth being called less than a creature? Is it worth being a cosmic error? This isn't freedom. Having them around isn't freedom." His voice finally managed to swallow the sadness. Instead, all that was left was an emptiness. "It's a big bow put on a cage. We're less than nothing to them. At least they had the courtesy to treat you like you're a real person." 

This was it. He'd opened Pandora's box thinking he had the answers he wished for. He didn't like what he saw. And there was no closing it. 

The pure desperation in his tone had Bakura questioning if he'd lost his memories-- surely not, not if he had Zorc there to relay it all. Though, the way he spoke of the dark god was far, far from kind. No doubt he was giving the same energy that he got back.

"....Being born, it was freedom. As I saw it, at least." A smile flickered upon his face, memories of true power, of being a force to be reckoned with. ...A force limited to a singular gold ring, but he hardly allowed that to stop him.

"The Thief's vendetta. Zorc's power. It fused, molten gold, like all those bodies from Kul Elna." He didn't have any qualms with comparing his creation to the tragedy-- he didn't feel much of anything when it came to that place. "The perfect combination. Really, you couldn't ask for anyone better to snuff out the light of this world."

A pause, and that smile fell from his face. "....But, I'm sure I'm just repeating everything you already know. We are nearly the same-- you knew that power. You knew that purpose-- taking the Thief's desire for revenge to the extreme."

[necrostar]

Ah, another kick in the balls. He had been so hopeful that the possibility was there. The secrets of true freedom, of nothing but him, were in reach. How stupid he was to believe that. The stars in his eyes dimmed when the reality set in. Shattered like glass when he found out that not even the smallest morsel of closure could be given to him. He always prided himself on composure, this air of confidence and just not giving a shit about anything?

But he... He couldn't. Not when the bar he had was dropped to the hells below. In the back of his mind, there was a very acute awareness that other him was right. They were Zorc. They were the Thief King. They were their will made manifest. Now they were nothing but forgotten luggage.

"Tell me what you know." His eyes were clenched shut, tone waivering. "Anything. Please. I'll show my hand if you show yours. Please. I need to know." His voice wasn't angry. Not even sad. It was desperate. Give him something, anything, to justify himself. His existence. There was such a swell of emotions that couldn't be placed. Pinned on anyone or anything.

Please, his other self. Show him he's truly real.

"Exactly. They're gone-- but they didn't exactly leave without a trace." Like evicted roommates, leaving in a hurry, not bothering to bring all their belongings along with, leaving half-empty boxes and confusing remains. Fragments of memories here, disconnected emotions there...

At least if he had Zorc in his ear, he'd have someone to tie it all to.

Irritation softened as he learned of the other's lack of shadow magic-- knocking him off that bitter high horse that he'd placed the other on. "Zorc was the reason for our magic. We were Zorc. His whispering was our own-- his and the Thief's. And without him, we're..." He pursed his lips, letting his thoughts vanish. He didn't know why he was letting his dirty laundry air so freely-- maybe it was the other's eagerness to talk that compelled him. Maybe he was this eager all along-- thoughts begging to be spoken. But, why bother letting them out to anyone who would never understand?

"....Are you talking about the past, or the final game? One was when I was born, and the other was when I died-- so I'm afraid I can't offer you much of the later."

[necrostar]

Y'know what. He's not even going to question it. He's seen enough insane shit to make this sudden change of scenery look completely normal. Besides, that's not his biggest concern.

Zorc is dead. Star must look like the happiest man on earth with that news.

"That stupid son of a bitch kicked it??" The sudden feeling of being kicked in the head certainly signaled his own Zorc's distaste, but he was more than happy to brush it off. The stars in his eyes never looked brighter. The future never looked brighter! That could be him someday! . . . That will be him someday . . . mark his words on that.

"And helping us sounds great and all, but knowing us . . . there's a catch, isn't there?" Star wasted no time cutting to the chase on that. He knows this song and dance, Godling. He's young, not stupid. Regardless, he deeply appreciated not being lost on a trail anymore. Plus he'd like to not be covered in mud anymore.

"I'll take you up on the offer though. Just tell me where to go." He'll wash his clothes separately in the shower, just like he does at home. "Not much of a coffee drinker, so tea is fine, thanks." He also wasn't about to be rude to the guy who pulled him out of that mess. He's young, not stupid.

"Not Zorc." He said firmly. The mistake had been made before, and he didn't want new himself to be afraid of him. Or worse, eager for Zorc's brand of cruelty and domination.

"But I am, yes. A god. Most of us call me Godling." He admitted. It wasn't the most glamorous of names, maybe he should put effort into changing it. "Zorc.. the one from my version of reality, is dead. Now it's me. And I use my fortune to help others of us who didn't get the power we deserve."

Godling took a moment to rebuild his smile, and then with a sudden soft tug he pulled Star into the shadows around them. Within the space of a breath they were back out into the world, the warmth of existence chasing away the cloying chill of the darkness. But they weren't at the start of the trail, they were in a dim room. A living room of an apartment, curtains drawn and carpet soft and dry.

"I can answer your questions, but maybe you'd like to get cleaned up first? Do you like coffee or tea?"

[necrostar]

He didn't understand. How could this not be freedom? How was this not the best thing that ever happened? His eyebrows furrowed, finally giving into confusion. Full circle, he supposed. There was a bit of silence as he redirected his attention elsewhere to gather his thoughts. How-- But-- One thing at a time.

"But--" He finally returned his uncertain gaze to his other self. "They're gone. They're not there to string you along like a puppet, try and wretch control from you when they feel like it. I know it looks like our ex-host, but it's yours. It's yours and no one else's." If he said he wasn't envious, he'd be a liar. How joyous it must be to have something truly, undeniably yours. As for the powers...

"Don't make me laugh. You think that prick would let something useless do whatever it pleased with his powers? I have nothing to my name but constant migraines and insults." If he had that much, it'd cushion the blow a little! His hands were shoved in his pockets while he leaned back to think a little more.

"Don't kid yourself, I have just as much as you do. At least yours doesn't come with strings attached." How much he craved that idea of freedom... to be his own person, in his own body, and nobody else to fight him for it. "You know how it was to have Zorc around. I'd be more than happy to hand mine over, if I could. I'm just dead weight to him. A mistake that shouldn't be alive. Something that just won't break and die already." He shrugged. "I don't know why you'd be so envious of that. My shit aside, what happened to you between whatever-happened-in-Egypt and now? I'm very curious." 

And honestly? He doesn't even remember Egypt. Who better to ask than you?

Now his own interest was piqued. Not Zorc, not the Thief-- had he found someone truly in the same abysmal state that he was in? Hope dwindled at the other's explanation-- especially how he seemed to cast Zorc aside, as if he were a pesky annoyance, a needed parasite-- but he was truly at a loss for words at his final statement.

"Free?" The other's excitement at the prospect was impossible for him to comprehend. Freedom from the Thief's humanity, perhaps-- but that was only replaced with his own.

"What the hell are you talking about? This isn't freedom-- how can being caged in a body like this, a human body, ever be freedom?" His words cut cold-- this wasn't freedom, this was an existence devoid of meaning, one that he didn't ask for.

"You've still got Zorc-- and I'll assume you can draw upon his powers. Why don't you brag and boast about how that is-- tell me how it is to still control the shadows with ease, and be connected with the realm that this one is so terrified of?"

[necrostar]

"It's never bothered me," He blew out the match. "And it doesn't bother the Thief King, believe it or not. Not this kind of smoke. It only bothers him when he can't see where it's coming from. He oh-so-graciously taught me how to make incense, actually." He didn't say it, but it took a long time for the Thief King to even get to that point. Which is better than nothing. He was, though, a little caught off-guard by the question.

"It's just a hobby for me. Not sure how this is going to get me to where I need to go, but I guess it's something to do." Or, maybe it is? He found it easier to talk to the Thief King after lighting one in his own home. Seemed more relaxed than usual. Hm. Gonna have to remember that for later. Speaking of things to remember later... "Do you have any hobbies?" 

There were few things in any world as enjoyable to watch as one of his other selves caught up in their passions. Godling did his best to follow the demonstration perfectly rather than simply enjoying watching Star work. His hands moving with graceful confidence, the incense set up and set to burn expertly.

"You've done this a lot." He commented, rewarding Stars work with another wide smile. "Is this a hobby for you, or is it part of your current mission for your life? I see what you mean, more smoke than fire. And smoke doesn't bother you?"

[necrostar]

Being thought of as cute was a shot to his heart, but what Star didn't know couldn't hurt him. He always thought of himself as being quite charismatic, so it was more than pleasing to see that the Bakura Charm™ was working as intended. He didn't even notice how Godling struggled to keep it together!

It was an even bigger relief that no, he's talking to himself, thank g--

Wait. Did he say God of Shadows?

How come everyone but HIM got magic bullshit powers?!

"'God of Shadows?'" Was he being fucked with?? Somehow, he knew in the bottom of his heart that he was being completely serious. Oh fuck he was for real. Now what?? He immediately averted Godling's gaze to think of something, anything, that might cover up how floored he was. But his relative youth had a bad habit of betraying him.

"Like, you're in charge now? What happened to Zorc?" Is he dead? Please gods let him be dead that'd be so fucking funny-- Oh, right, didn't he say something else to him? He's just all over the place, isn't he?

"No, no, doesn't matter. I'm just glad they're not involved." Even though their names never left his mouth, he's certain Godling can pick up what he's putting down. "Would it be intrusive to ask how-- well--" He made a general gesture towards him with his free hand. "--this happened? How'd you luck out like that?"

For how nosy he can be, he's lucky he's cute.

Godling tried his best to remain composed. It was a difficult task. It was rare he met a version of himself that was so cute! There were no teeth, no snarls or spat insults. Of course, that was surely a matter of time, and of how well he performed, but it made for a pleasant surprise.

He clasped his alternate selfish hand in his and smile his best sly but pleasant smile. All charm, some danger.

"You are most welcome." He assured smoothly. Shadows rose around them, darkness creeping in as Bakura called the world to open before them and-.. oh?

"I'm not my Thief." Bakura said softly, relaxing his arm and his grip. "I am Bakura, the Dark One, God of the Shadows and Lord of Darkness. And I am you, if you are me. Does it matter to you?"

[necrostar]

The absolute euphoria of discovering the he wasn't talking to the Thief King was immediately smashed by the (warranted) question. He sputtered for a moment before coming out with a clear, strong, very offended,

"Fuck no!" 

He did, however, have to pause to reassess that. It wasn't completely true, but at the same time, it was. Hm. How can he explain the current situation...

"Well, it's more of a half-no. If I got rid of him fully, I would be..." Dead? Non-existent? What was the appropriate term to use? "...y'know. Not here.. He isn't in control, if that's what you're asking. Never is and never will be." But wait! If he's not the Thief King, that means...

"Wait, they're gone for you? They're not there?" The hope and astonishment in his voice couldn't be smothered if he tried. The way his mind took his thoughts and emotions and ran with them was... certainly something to behold.

The absolute whiplash of emotions was going to be paid for later, but right now that didn't matter. It didn't matter. Was there hope for him after all? Could he, too, be free of them? Before he could even stop to reassess, everything he's been meaning to say fell straight from his mouth. Threw his cards right in the open. And all he could do was watch.

"Doesn't it feel great? Isn't it peaceful? Tell me what it's like to be free!"

"Why would I be-- no!" Confused for a moment, before recalling that yeah, right, the thief was also them. He gathered his thoughts. "Depends. Are you Zorc?"

Just to add another layer of confusion to the mess of a trifecta-- the thief king, the dark god, and the unholy spirit. He had no idea how he managed before he was like as he was now. ...Not that it was any less confusing, but at least he wasn't existing as three--

Bakura lifted the cloth from his wound momentarily, just long enough to fold it, and wrap it around his hand, tucking in the ends so he didn't have to hold it in place. This Bakura didn't look like he was about to jump on the offensive, but just in case...

"If you are, unfortunately, I'll have to disappoint."