#tributeshipping

[zxlo-hxlo]

The fact that I had to come up with a name for this ship myself is devastating. I looked everywhere and couldn't find one. It should be more popular I can't believe I'm the only one that understands The Potential. Smh yugioh fandom be better /lhj

[cannotflyarc]

he's capitol. as much as she pities the capitol, as much as she envies the capitol, she can't forget that the games are the core of their entertainment. did her pathetic performance entertain him? her broken back and pathetic cries for art? did they create a beautiful tableau of suffering, a grand reminder of a war that happened long before she was born? she politely rejects a drink from an avox. ❝ i'm sick of celebrations, ❞ johanna mumbles. her whole victory tour was a string of celebrations. eating food she didn't want, being offered drinks that made her eyes sting when she saw them, never a moment to herself.

sometimes, she isn't glad she made it out. there are moments here and there that ground her back to reality: art tucking a curl behind her ear, his gentle voice murmuring the words of a story out loud for her, the back of his thumb rubbing away tears. as much as she talks about being a victor, a survivor, she barely feels that. she's been dead since the beginning. both of her parents were in the arena. her guardian was a gamemaker, smart and cunning and knew worse ways to punish her than being thrown in the arena.

❝ i have people who made it worth it. ❞ just one man. if the arena hadn't killed her, she would surely be dead without him. a beat. ❝ would my attempt at convincing you work? ❞ a sheepish smile. ❝ it's my first time. i'm rather certain most people just remember me for hitting someone before my games. ❞ not that she regrets it---never---but johanna has noticed the lack of an after-party between tributes and sponsors this year. she has the feeling she has something to do with that. ❝ i don't know how anyone could stomach. . . ❞ remember who you're talking to johanna! ❝ mentorship is different than tributeship. ❞

GREG ISN'T INTERESTED IN HER MARRIAGE. he's a very, very selfish young man : the only marriage he could care about is the potential of his own ... nigh impossible with his partner still in the districts, but it doesn't matter. he has a set of questions he's meant to ask. good television, they want. good writing. they want stories, a spun tale of romance and love and beauty. you will not find beauty in the districts, his cousins remind him. you will not find any meaningful love. greg knows better, a heart tied to district two, his chest tightening every year when edward could make it back into the capitol. johanna is not edward, and she is not capitol made. thank goodness.

greg understands : he wears a ring of alexandrite, a beautiful blue - purple promise, an engagement ring, that he holds close to his heart. there is no discernible suitor, no prince charming in the capitol that greg's found himself hanging off of. outside of his grandfather, well. no one would know. greg smiles softly, understanding, when he sees the ring. it's a part of you : your better half the best part. he doesn't mention it.

' i see no reason why we can't celebrate both. ' gregory will never be a sponsor. he has the money, but not the money of his grandfather. not the money of a roy. and if he had — it would go towards district two. he doesn't say this. ' you don't have to work to win me over, ' he says, smile genuine, almost sheepish — he's the one to impress, but he's not the person to focus on. good luck winning ewan over, sweetheart. ' i'm a fan. ' he cringes, minutely, at his own embarrassment. he doesn't treat this like sport. he didn't mean for it to come out that way. ' i'd love to see her make it out. ' not win. there is no winning here. ' i'm glad you did. i can see you are too. '

[shiirojasmine]

I dunno

[mutemwija]

Pridecember Day 3: Game

Yeah… I’m not really happy with how this turned out, but I didn’t have enough time to change it ;_; The idea was so cool in my head but when I started writing, it suddenly wasn’t anymore. I tried to save it as best I could, but I’m not sure if it worked^^’ I still hope you like it though ^_^

“It’s been quite a while since we were summoned like that, right?”

“Yes! It’s been too long if you ask me!”

“Ladies, please. We were not summoned yet, we’re still here. So calm down.” Mahad sighed a little at Mana’s and Kisara’s excitement and tried hard not to let their bright eyes and even brighter smiles infect him too much.

They were right though. It had been too long since their respective masters were dueling against each other like that and he was glad it was happening once again. As much as he tried to hide it, he was excited. He always enjoyed fighting against Kisara and Seto Kaiba the most, but over the years the times were they stood face to face on the battlefield decreased and both of them and Mana regretted that a little. They were happy that Atem and Seto had found something else to entertain themselves with, but for them as their signature monsters it was still a drop of bitterness.

Kisara’s chuckle brought him out of his thoughts. “Mahad, you know Mana for such a long time now, you should know that she doesn’t do calm.”

Mana nodded gushily at him and all but bounced up and down, scolding him a little for his calm appearance. “Exactly!”

Mahad sighed but when he wanted to answer them, Kisara’s body slowly started to lose its solidity and became more and more translucent. She smiled so brightly, it seemed to spread from ear to ear. “It’s happening.”

In the next moment she was gone and Mana laughed. “Aren’t you happy that they’re dueling again?”

“Of course I am.” He smiled and ruffled her hair, what she hated, but he did it anyway – or exactly for that reason. “This has always been their game, their time they shared with us and they trust us the most to achieve their goals. It’s an honor.”

“It’s fun!” Mana corrected, still that scolding look in her eyes, but again Mahad wasn’t able to answer her properly, when he started to fade as well. He took a deep breath to ready himself and grinned at Mana, his deadpan finally faltering. She chuckled and her waving hand was the last thing he saw before he closed his eyes.

When he opened them again Dark Magician couldn’t help his excited smile now that he saw Kisara in her dragon form again. Out of the corner of his eyes, he saw Dark Magician Girl appearing on the field next to him with her usual charming smile, but he only stared right ahead at Blue Eyes, just as Blue Eyes stared back at him. They were just as much each other’s destined opponent as Yami and Kaiba were.

Or… had their feud turned the monsters into that in the first place?

Well, probably.

But every time he stood face to face to them on the battlefield like that, his excitement flared up and he could feel his blood pumping through his veins at breakneck speed. He swung his rod at the dragon, then looked up at its wielder… and froze. He did not look into the blue eyes of Seto Kaiba, but into the violet ones of Atem.

Dark Magician stopped moving altogether. He looked at Atem with wrinkled brows, wondering for a second if the Duel Disk he used had an error but when saw his pharaoh looking back at him with a strange mixture of wonder and disbelief, he knew that his king knew what he was doing. To confirm his suspicion, Dark Magician turned slightly to look at the person who summoned him and froze again, when he saw Seto Kaiba looking down at him with that dueling face of his.

A shiver ran through his spine and luckily brought his muscles out of their stiffness. He turned back to him and shot Atem a disbelieving, reproachful, almost hurt look. All Atem did was shrug his shoulders, the smile still on his face. That really wasn’t the answer his servant wanted. Dark Magician wanted to go back on his side, the side where he belonged. He was Atem’s servant and Atem’s alone; he would only obey his commands and no one else’s. That had always been something he shared with Kisara but now he felt it more than ever before.

So again, he took a deep breath and after a last glance at Dark Magician Girl and Blue Eyes White Dragon, he closed his eyes and started whispering.

“What the…” He heard Kaiba say and felt a little sting when the CEO immediately started to push some buttons on his Duel Disk. He looked up and into Atem’s eyes only to see bewilderment reflected in those violet orbs, but he wouldn’t change his mind. He didn’t know what was going on, if he was dreaming or imagining things, but the last thing he wanted was to fight against Atem. He tried telling him that with the look he gave him and when Atem’s features slowly softened and he saw the smallest nod, he solemnly completed the spell he was casting.

Dark Magician became more and more translucent with every passing second and when he was nearly gone, he heard Blue Eyes White Dragon making an aggravated, sad noise. He knew he was betraying his comrades, but Blue Eyes also only fought for one person, so she would understand.

A few seconds after Dark Magician had dissipated completely, the dragon started to as well. Only Dark Magician Girl was still on the field and as the duelists both looked at her expectantly and confused she just laughed and nervously scratched the back of her head as if apologizing for her fellow fighters and herself. She winked at Atem and waved again, then turned and stuck her tongue out to Seto. The next moment she vanished into thin air as well, leaving the soft sound of her giggle and two dumbfounded duelists behind.

When she returned to her human form, she found Mahad and Kisara already absorbed into a heated discussion on what just happened.

“Why did you go?”

“There is no way in hell I’d let myself be wielded by someone else than my pharaoh, let alone by that man.”

“Oh, come on! They’re so cute!”

“That doesn’t mean they have to use us like that.”

“So you admit you find them cute.”

“That’s not the point.” Mahad tried to explain, but there was something in her eyes that made him suspect something else. “Don’t tell me you of all people would have fought for someone else than your precious master, let alone Atem.”

Kisara only shrugged. “I like him.”

Mahad’s jaw dropped at the sheer casualness with which the girl spoke. She smiled at him and his anger faded into nothingness, replaced only by a tinge of uneasiness. “But he’s my master!”

“So what? I can’t like him?”

“Again, that’s not the point!”

“Well, what is your point then?”

“This had been our game all the time. The both of us against you and Seto Kaiba and now it’s just… it’s just gone.”

She smiled at him, when their eyes locked again. “It isn’t just a game for them anymore, Mahad. I dare say it never was. And now they have finally turned it into something more, into what it should have been for a very long time.”

He stared at her for a moment, considering her words and before finally tearing his eyes away from her intense gaze. “I understand.” He whispered and he really did, kind of at least. “I just… need some time to adjust to that.”

“I think…” She started again and Mahad forced himself to look at her. “They trust each other so much by now that they’d even give us, their most trusted companions in the other’s hand they wanted us to know and to share it with us.”

Mahad stared at her for a while longer, before turning and retreating slowly. “If you say so.”

“I do.” Her smile didn’t falter one bit as she followed him. “You can trust me on that.”

They were both so absorbed in their banter that they didn’t notice Mana standing next to them all the time, watching closely. And as they walked away now, a bright smirk spread on her face, eyes gleaming in realization and she giggled. “Like monster, like man, I suppose.”

[ygospamproduction]

this is just a curiosity; after Puzzle- which ships would you say are your "runner-up" ships? :D

Hmm, interesting question anon! Do you mean runner-ups for the two boys, or YGO!DM ships in general?

Either way, I’ve definitely grown more picky in recent years. Not that I dislike more, but there are far fewer ships that interest me at all. Pretty much the only ship involving Atem or Yuugi that I might like that doesn’t involve the two of them together is Liberashipping: Yuugi & Malik. An intriguing and nice ‘what if’ scenario, particularly in a post-canon situation. But it’s still no contest, Puzzleshipping all the way.

As for non-Yuugi or Atem ships, I have a strong fondness for Puffshipping. I’ve also always liked Trustshipping, and since I’ve come to headcanon both Seto and Isis as aromantic, I’ve shifted that to imagining them as queerplatonic partners. Truly, it’d be kind of bombing. And Thiefshipping and Tendershipping BOTH are a go-to interest, but it’s very dependent on how Yami no Bakura and his dynamic with Malik/Bakura Ryou is portrayed.

Beyond that, nothing too strong. Minorshipping, Polarshipping, Devotionshipping, and Supportshipping all play through my head at times, in the same way I might consider pair-ups for characters in a Fire Emblem game, if you’d like a comparison. But all of those are more ‘That’d be nice’ than ‘I ship that!’ Still, strong enough interests that you might see me slot them into a story. Maybe. I try not to do side pairings unless they’re going to have ‘screen time’ or a narrative point.

Everything else is a very simple ‘sure’ at best… except Tributeshipping and DMG x Apple Magician. I consider those both almost crack, but imagining Mahaad with Kisara and Mana with a magical girlfriend fill me with the silliest giggles.

[magicians-playground]

☂

☂: Kiss in the Rain

It was a rare sight, to see the god’s tears fall to the desert sands. Such a phenomena almost never occurred. Mahaad could only remember seeing it fleetingly once or twice during his younger years.

Even now, the priest found himself utterly transfixed by the sight. The water fell unrelenting from the gray skies, crashing to the earth and seeping into her skin. The sands became sluggish, moist. It clumped and formed an odd sort of ooze Mahaad had never seen before.

The man pulled a face. He certainly hoped he would never have to touch such a vile thing, whatever it was.

From his perch atop the royal balcony, Mahaad could see far into the surrounding villages. The inhabitants went about their days as usual. Some were huddled into tiny nooks and crannies, others simply stood upright and allowed the gods to pour their essence down unto them.

But…there was one thing that caught the priest’s eye.

A shock of pure white, huddled up against one of the many walls of the nearby buildings. Mahaad’s eyes went wide. There was but one — one maiden, to be exact that could possibly posses such a strikingly pure white pallour.

"Kisara…?"

Without so much as a second thought, Mahaad turned swiftly on his heel, his cape billowing behind him as he went. His steps were quick, his stride long. He bypassed the guards, the servants, and even a rather surprised Isis along the way.

If the woman had called to him, Mahaad had no clue. For now, he was focused solely on reaching her. His maiden.

He only hoped to Ra she hadn’t gone.

Out into the rain he went, flinching only the slightest bit with the first drop of water hit his skin. He pushed forward, never minding the surprised gasps and stunned looks of the villagers. He never once halted until he spotted her.

She was still there, knees pulled up to her chest, arms folded neatly atop them. Her white hair was flat, lifeless due to the water that poured down on her.

But even so, even so…

She was still beautiful.

Mahaad said not a word as he approached her. His steps were cautious, silent, as though he were cornering a frightened animal, the slightest noise scaring it away. Kisara heard the faint sound, of course, and soon her head was lifted.

She was met with the sight of the priest, knelt down before her, soaked to the bone, just as she was, and a smile adorning his lips.

"…You have chosen fine weather for an afternoon out, my lady." He began, his words warped with a slight chuckle. Kisara blinked.

"…Sir?"

Mahaad’s features softened, his eyes slowly trailing over the woman’s face, careful not to miss a single detail. And before either of them knew where their bodies were leading them…

A kiss. Chaste as it may be, though sweet and tender nonetheless.

It was Kisara who pulled back first, her usually pale cheeks alive with colour. Mahaad was left hanging there, his eyes fluttering open only a moment later.

"…The Pharaoh…will come looking for you, my priest." The woman managed to say, her eyes trailing off to one side. Mahaad said nothing, only plopped himself down on the ground beside her. He brought his cape around, up and over her head.

Deep blue eyes met gentle azure.

"Let him look."

[shiirojasmine]

Merry christmas to @jelli-art for the @yugiohsecretsanta2017

It was loads of fun painting this! ^^