Yamada, Mamoru (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
thestudyof) wrote2022-03-04 11:27 pm
thestudyof) wrote2022-03-04 11:27 pm
[Story/Post]
Mamoru was working.
It wasn't late for once, but it was after most people had gone home for the day, around 8pm. After being given strict orders to not do anymore late nights, he himself was packing up his work to leave, but dawdling on purpose to go over his thoughts-- namely about Akira, and how to handle the recent news and issues about him, but also about himself.
He knew he had to deal with this sooner than later. He'd been feeling more and more weary each day he let it wait, honestly, and it might be the thing that Hasegawa had warned him about: that ignoring it would only make it worse, now that he was "aware" of it.
But every time he thought about talking to Failnaught about it, he felt a searing aggravation that he couldn't fully place the source from. Sure, he was annoyed at him personally for basically... projecting this identity upon him, and making Labrys get involved, but he felt like there was something deeper to it, too. Something he couldn't put his finger on.
Which made it all the more awkward when he turned around and saw someone standing in front of the door, having let themselves in. A figure he didn't immediately recognize, having never met him, himself.
But a part of him knew exactly who it was, feeling that anger well up inside of him again.
"F-- Failnaught...?!"
Failnaught looked around the testing room, taking in the surroundings, the robotic machinery on the walls, the Action Dueling control booth... Before settling on Mamoru with his steely stare.
"I got your ultimatum. So I'm here."
Mamoru unconsciously attempted to grasp at something around him, as though he felt like he needed to defend himself, but found nothing but his work bag. He had been warned about Failnaught's "timing" as it were, but somehow he didn't expect it to actually happen. He took a hold of his bag in leiu of any real form of defense, trying to calm himself down.
"Yes. I can see that. Why are you here?"
Failnaught stepped forward, calmly. Mamoru couldn't help but remember the last time someone approached him when he was trying to leave for work, and took and unconscious step back. Failnaught, noticing this, stopped himself a decent distance away.
"I think the reason is obvious enough. I'm here to help."
Mamoru's mouth twitched at the words. "Help with what? I'm doing fine, without your involvement. Why don't we keep it that way for the moment?" He attempted to zip up his bag in order to take his leave, but Failnaught didn't budge, or really notice the venom coming from the man.
"Duel me, then."
Well, that made Mamoru stop at least. "... What?"
"Duel me. It's the normal form of conflict in these matters, isn't it?" Failnaught took a stance, a disk forming on his arm, metallic and green, like his weapon. "Unless, of course, you'd prefer I take you back to our home by force, Scythe?"
Now that made got Mamoru pretty irritated. Labrys had been really good about not calling him that, so hearing it made him see a little red. He opened back up his bag, pulling out his disk, and that deck. That deck he'd been stuck with this whole time, White Rider and all, before loading it up. "I'm not going anywhere, especially not with you. Or with anyone. I'm going back to my home, where my nephew is waiting." His nephew, who he needed to keep an eye on. Who he had to keep at least relatively safe...
No, he couldn't afford to have this interrupt anything. If Failnaught had gotten any closer, Mamoru probably would've tried to knock him out with the duel disk instead. But instead, he kept his distance, his disk activating as he loaded it up, and Failnaught's activating in response.
"We'll see what you say after this duel, then." Failnaught took Mamoru's anger in stride, realizing this is the quickest way to get anything done. No... if anything, this was the ideal situation.
Nothing wakes someone up faster than intense emotion, after all. He needed to confirm as much as possible, if this was how it was going to be.
--
"Are you going to do nothing?"
At this point in the duel, Mamoru already had out The Pilgrim of the Burning Abyss, as well as Dante, Virgil, and a Libic in defense, while Failnaught's LP was at a measily 1400. He had done virtually nothing the whole duel, and he had kept his expression unreadable the entire time.
"What do you wish for me to do? Have you worked through your aggression towards me, yet?"
Mamoru's fingers twitched, his turn ending. "Have you just been going easy on me, so I could "work out my aggression"? There's nothing to work out, Failnaught. You've been nothing but a problem on my mind. So stop--"
"Stop what? "Going easy" on you? I haven't been "going easy" on you, Scythe-- I've simply been waiting for the right moment."
Failnaught drew, before pointing to the card he'd had set. "Activate, Bujinunity!" His one Bujin, Mikazuchi, returned to the deck, as he threw away his whole hand: Hare, Boar, Boar, Wolf, Asada. "I add to my hand! Bujin Hirume! Bujin Yamato! Bujin Torifune!"
The three cards came to his hand, as Torifune was immediately summoned, and then tributed, forming into Bujin Mahitotsu and Bujinji Centipede. "Form the Linking arrows!"
Mamoru was surprised at those words-- a Link summon?! But indeed, the two arrows formed from the two monsters, as it appeared: Bujinki Ahashima. "I use it's effect-- summon from my hand, Bujin Yamato. From my grave, Asada!" The two monsters appeared, as Failnaught raised up his hand. "Yamato, Asada. It's time to Overlay!"
The two monsters nodded in response, before jumping up and turning into a dust that swirled around the field. "Xyz Summon! Bujintei Susanowo!"
The monster landed on the field, surrounded by the two wisps of light that formed the materials, before absorbing one. "I add Bujingi Crane to my hand." Mamoru winced slightly. He knew that monster doubled ATK, but... "I then banish the Asada I just removed. Special Summon, Bujin Hirume!"
As though in an instant, Failnaught immediately had a formidable field. Mamoru wasn't sure how it happened, a part of him reeled, as though going, "where was this strength before, you fool--?", which he quickly quieted. That wasn't him that thought that. It didn't feel like him. He could feel a searing pain in chest for a moment, pulling himself back to reality as Failnaught started up his attacks. Virgil went down as he drew. Libic went down as well. But the Dantes stayed...
"I end my turn."
Mamoru drew his card. ... It wasn't a great option, but... "I activate Allure of Darkness." He drew two, and then banished his one monster that he drew. Malacoda. The two cards he drew though... would be useful, but then he looked at his Dante, the Xyz, sitting there... maybe he could do something at least...
But he thought to himself. Should he take that risk? Should he allow himself to use that monster? With Crane in Failnaught's hand, he wasn't sure what was going to happen, but--
No, if there was any time to use it, it'd be now. He'd been working so hard restoring that card. He should use it.
"I reconstruct the Overlay Network!" Mamoru held out his hand, as the searing pain in his chest started up once more-- something he had to go to great lengths to ignore. "I don't control any Spells or Traps, so I use Dante as the material." His hand clenched into a fist as Dante vanished into dust, as a glitched number appeared overhead and on his hand. "Harbinger of death, guide the souls to the abyss...!"
Failnaught stood firm, knowing what was coming, but looking mildly concerned as the image seemed... Corrupted, somehow. It was amazing at it was, that it was being summoned at all, but he could only imagine the disconnect, the pain...
"Xyz Summon! Number 1XX: White Rider of the Heavens!" The monster seemed to crash into being from the space that formed, it's one material surrounding it as it stood next to the Pilgrim. "I use the material it has to negate Susanowo's effect, and halve it's ATK until the end of your turn!"
Susanowo faulted, going to one knee as it's strength was sapped from it, but Failnaught seemed mostly unconcerned, staring at White Rider with a mournful look. But Mamoru was a bit out of sorts, not wanting to notice Failnaught's expressions. The pain in his chest had intensified, and he could feel the sweat on his forehead...
He had to end this duel quickly. Very quickly.
"Battle! Dante, Pilgrim of the Burning Abyss! Attack Susanowo!"
The Pilgrim went in to attack, but Failnaught then simply discarded his card. "Bujingi Crane. I increase Susanowo's ATK to be double of his original strength."
Oh, that's the wording I couldn't remember. Mamoru mildly cursed to himself as Susanowo made a sudden retaliation, destroying Pilgrim with nothing to show for it but the damage dealt.
But--
"White Rider! Attack Susanowo!"
Susanowo's strength had left it as quickly as it had come to it, as White Rider sliced through the monster. Leaving it undamaged, but the force of it going through to Failnaught, who was left at 200 LP.
"I set-- I set two cards... and end my turn." A 50/50 shot with that Centipede lying in wait... If he could just win this coin-toss...
"I draw." Failnaught simply drew, and then looked at the two cards, as though a pathway in front of him. He took just a moment to think, and went with his instincts, pointing to the right hand side. "I banish Bujingi Centipede to destroy your set card."
Mamoru let out a more audible curse as the ghostly Centipede appeared, destroying the Mirror Force.
"I then banish Bujingi Boar to force the White Rider into defense, and reduce it's defenses to 0!"
The ghostly Boar then appeared next, it's spirit twisting around White Rider, before it was forced from it's white steed and made to kneel, similarly to Susanowo before it.
Mamoru knew already that he had no means of recovery from what was to follow, as White Rider was destroyed by the weakened Susanowo, and then he took the attacks from Hirume, from Ahashima, and then from a Yamato that was summoned before the battle had begun.
In the end, he was left with only 100 LP. Exactly 100.
And as Failnaught ended his turn, Mamoru felt the aggravation just... ease out of him, helped from the removed presence of White Rider causing the pain in his chest to lesson, and yet...
No, he was still annoyed. But he had absolutely lost this duel.
He drew his card, and knowing what was to come, he placed his hand over the deck, the monsters vanishing in response.
--
Failnaught waited a moment before saying anything, noticing the exhausted look on Mamoru's face. "... I'm surprised you had opted to surrender."
"Did you expect me to stand there and take your attack head-on, instead?" Mamoru held his head, feeling the ache coming on, compounding the soreness he was already feeling from before. "Really, Failnaught...
What do you want from me, that we'd be doing this?"
Failnaught allowed his duel disk to vanish as he stepped closer towards Mamoru, carefully. He may have won, but approaching too aggressively seemed to be an ill-informed decision. However, once he got close enough, he carefully put a hand onto his shoulder.
"Scy-- no, Yamada is the name, right?" Failnaught looked just as weary. "Whether or not you want to accept this, I saw it in the duel. You're in pain. Whatever happened, it hasn't wholly assimilated with you. And it's only going to get worse, the longer you avoid this."
Mamoru stared at Failnaught, wanting nothing more than to push his hand off of his shoulder, to ignore him, but the ache in his chest came upon him again, causing him to seethe.
"-- Fine. Fine, I get it. I don't like you, but you're not exactly lying that this is a problem." Mamoru clenched his jaw, the gaunt definition seemed clearer. "What can you do about it, then?"
"Come back to our home--"
"Your home, you mean."
"My home, yes." Failnaught corrected himself. "I can help to fix what might be causing the issues. Physical bodies are admittedly... a blind spot for me. But I was able to help Morall-- Koyo. I was able to help Koyo, before. I can likely help ease your pain."
"And why can't you do it here?"
"It'll be easier for me to access the material offered by the Legendary Numbers, if we're on the island, to help fix what's inside of you." Failnaught squeezed his hand slightly on the shoulder. "And to be quite honest, in the time it would take me to get the permissions to remove one of the cards and come back here to retrieve you, I can't trust you won't have second thoughts and run away, Yamada." Failnaught put emphasis on the name, trying desperately to keep in mind. Don't call him Scythe. Don't.
Mamoru, however, didn't entirely appreciate it, but understood the lack of trust. "... Fine. I get it." He finally pushed the hand off of him.
"Just how long is this going to take?"
-----
[Post]
I'll be taking a couple days off for the weekend, for medical reasons.
Akira, stay at home until I get back. You can have over friends, but I'd prefer you stay inside for the moment. If you order out for food, just tell me and I'll reimburse you.
It wasn't late for once, but it was after most people had gone home for the day, around 8pm. After being given strict orders to not do anymore late nights, he himself was packing up his work to leave, but dawdling on purpose to go over his thoughts-- namely about Akira, and how to handle the recent news and issues about him, but also about himself.
He knew he had to deal with this sooner than later. He'd been feeling more and more weary each day he let it wait, honestly, and it might be the thing that Hasegawa had warned him about: that ignoring it would only make it worse, now that he was "aware" of it.
But every time he thought about talking to Failnaught about it, he felt a searing aggravation that he couldn't fully place the source from. Sure, he was annoyed at him personally for basically... projecting this identity upon him, and making Labrys get involved, but he felt like there was something deeper to it, too. Something he couldn't put his finger on.
Which made it all the more awkward when he turned around and saw someone standing in front of the door, having let themselves in. A figure he didn't immediately recognize, having never met him, himself.
But a part of him knew exactly who it was, feeling that anger well up inside of him again.
"F-- Failnaught...?!"
Failnaught looked around the testing room, taking in the surroundings, the robotic machinery on the walls, the Action Dueling control booth... Before settling on Mamoru with his steely stare.
"I got your ultimatum. So I'm here."
Mamoru unconsciously attempted to grasp at something around him, as though he felt like he needed to defend himself, but found nothing but his work bag. He had been warned about Failnaught's "timing" as it were, but somehow he didn't expect it to actually happen. He took a hold of his bag in leiu of any real form of defense, trying to calm himself down.
"Yes. I can see that. Why are you here?"
Failnaught stepped forward, calmly. Mamoru couldn't help but remember the last time someone approached him when he was trying to leave for work, and took and unconscious step back. Failnaught, noticing this, stopped himself a decent distance away.
"I think the reason is obvious enough. I'm here to help."
Mamoru's mouth twitched at the words. "Help with what? I'm doing fine, without your involvement. Why don't we keep it that way for the moment?" He attempted to zip up his bag in order to take his leave, but Failnaught didn't budge, or really notice the venom coming from the man.
"Duel me, then."
Well, that made Mamoru stop at least. "... What?"
"Duel me. It's the normal form of conflict in these matters, isn't it?" Failnaught took a stance, a disk forming on his arm, metallic and green, like his weapon. "Unless, of course, you'd prefer I take you back to our home by force, Scythe?"
Now that made got Mamoru pretty irritated. Labrys had been really good about not calling him that, so hearing it made him see a little red. He opened back up his bag, pulling out his disk, and that deck. That deck he'd been stuck with this whole time, White Rider and all, before loading it up. "I'm not going anywhere, especially not with you. Or with anyone. I'm going back to my home, where my nephew is waiting." His nephew, who he needed to keep an eye on. Who he had to keep at least relatively safe...
No, he couldn't afford to have this interrupt anything. If Failnaught had gotten any closer, Mamoru probably would've tried to knock him out with the duel disk instead. But instead, he kept his distance, his disk activating as he loaded it up, and Failnaught's activating in response.
"We'll see what you say after this duel, then." Failnaught took Mamoru's anger in stride, realizing this is the quickest way to get anything done. No... if anything, this was the ideal situation.
Nothing wakes someone up faster than intense emotion, after all. He needed to confirm as much as possible, if this was how it was going to be.
--
"Are you going to do nothing?"
At this point in the duel, Mamoru already had out The Pilgrim of the Burning Abyss, as well as Dante, Virgil, and a Libic in defense, while Failnaught's LP was at a measily 1400. He had done virtually nothing the whole duel, and he had kept his expression unreadable the entire time.
"What do you wish for me to do? Have you worked through your aggression towards me, yet?"
Mamoru's fingers twitched, his turn ending. "Have you just been going easy on me, so I could "work out my aggression"? There's nothing to work out, Failnaught. You've been nothing but a problem on my mind. So stop--"
"Stop what? "Going easy" on you? I haven't been "going easy" on you, Scythe-- I've simply been waiting for the right moment."
Failnaught drew, before pointing to the card he'd had set. "Activate, Bujinunity!" His one Bujin, Mikazuchi, returned to the deck, as he threw away his whole hand: Hare, Boar, Boar, Wolf, Asada. "I add to my hand! Bujin Hirume! Bujin Yamato! Bujin Torifune!"
The three cards came to his hand, as Torifune was immediately summoned, and then tributed, forming into Bujin Mahitotsu and Bujinji Centipede. "Form the Linking arrows!"
Mamoru was surprised at those words-- a Link summon?! But indeed, the two arrows formed from the two monsters, as it appeared: Bujinki Ahashima. "I use it's effect-- summon from my hand, Bujin Yamato. From my grave, Asada!" The two monsters appeared, as Failnaught raised up his hand. "Yamato, Asada. It's time to Overlay!"
The two monsters nodded in response, before jumping up and turning into a dust that swirled around the field. "Xyz Summon! Bujintei Susanowo!"
The monster landed on the field, surrounded by the two wisps of light that formed the materials, before absorbing one. "I add Bujingi Crane to my hand." Mamoru winced slightly. He knew that monster doubled ATK, but... "I then banish the Asada I just removed. Special Summon, Bujin Hirume!"
As though in an instant, Failnaught immediately had a formidable field. Mamoru wasn't sure how it happened, a part of him reeled, as though going, "where was this strength before, you fool--?", which he quickly quieted. That wasn't him that thought that. It didn't feel like him. He could feel a searing pain in chest for a moment, pulling himself back to reality as Failnaught started up his attacks. Virgil went down as he drew. Libic went down as well. But the Dantes stayed...
"I end my turn."
Mamoru drew his card. ... It wasn't a great option, but... "I activate Allure of Darkness." He drew two, and then banished his one monster that he drew. Malacoda. The two cards he drew though... would be useful, but then he looked at his Dante, the Xyz, sitting there... maybe he could do something at least...
But he thought to himself. Should he take that risk? Should he allow himself to use that monster? With Crane in Failnaught's hand, he wasn't sure what was going to happen, but--
No, if there was any time to use it, it'd be now. He'd been working so hard restoring that card. He should use it.
"I reconstruct the Overlay Network!" Mamoru held out his hand, as the searing pain in his chest started up once more-- something he had to go to great lengths to ignore. "I don't control any Spells or Traps, so I use Dante as the material." His hand clenched into a fist as Dante vanished into dust, as a glitched number appeared overhead and on his hand. "Harbinger of death, guide the souls to the abyss...!"
Failnaught stood firm, knowing what was coming, but looking mildly concerned as the image seemed... Corrupted, somehow. It was amazing at it was, that it was being summoned at all, but he could only imagine the disconnect, the pain...
"Xyz Summon! Number 1XX: White Rider of the Heavens!" The monster seemed to crash into being from the space that formed, it's one material surrounding it as it stood next to the Pilgrim. "I use the material it has to negate Susanowo's effect, and halve it's ATK until the end of your turn!"
Susanowo faulted, going to one knee as it's strength was sapped from it, but Failnaught seemed mostly unconcerned, staring at White Rider with a mournful look. But Mamoru was a bit out of sorts, not wanting to notice Failnaught's expressions. The pain in his chest had intensified, and he could feel the sweat on his forehead...
He had to end this duel quickly. Very quickly.
"Battle! Dante, Pilgrim of the Burning Abyss! Attack Susanowo!"
The Pilgrim went in to attack, but Failnaught then simply discarded his card. "Bujingi Crane. I increase Susanowo's ATK to be double of his original strength."
Oh, that's the wording I couldn't remember. Mamoru mildly cursed to himself as Susanowo made a sudden retaliation, destroying Pilgrim with nothing to show for it but the damage dealt.
But--
"White Rider! Attack Susanowo!"
Susanowo's strength had left it as quickly as it had come to it, as White Rider sliced through the monster. Leaving it undamaged, but the force of it going through to Failnaught, who was left at 200 LP.
"I set-- I set two cards... and end my turn." A 50/50 shot with that Centipede lying in wait... If he could just win this coin-toss...
"I draw." Failnaught simply drew, and then looked at the two cards, as though a pathway in front of him. He took just a moment to think, and went with his instincts, pointing to the right hand side. "I banish Bujingi Centipede to destroy your set card."
Mamoru let out a more audible curse as the ghostly Centipede appeared, destroying the Mirror Force.
"I then banish Bujingi Boar to force the White Rider into defense, and reduce it's defenses to 0!"
The ghostly Boar then appeared next, it's spirit twisting around White Rider, before it was forced from it's white steed and made to kneel, similarly to Susanowo before it.
Mamoru knew already that he had no means of recovery from what was to follow, as White Rider was destroyed by the weakened Susanowo, and then he took the attacks from Hirume, from Ahashima, and then from a Yamato that was summoned before the battle had begun.
In the end, he was left with only 100 LP. Exactly 100.
And as Failnaught ended his turn, Mamoru felt the aggravation just... ease out of him, helped from the removed presence of White Rider causing the pain in his chest to lesson, and yet...
No, he was still annoyed. But he had absolutely lost this duel.
He drew his card, and knowing what was to come, he placed his hand over the deck, the monsters vanishing in response.
--
Failnaught waited a moment before saying anything, noticing the exhausted look on Mamoru's face. "... I'm surprised you had opted to surrender."
"Did you expect me to stand there and take your attack head-on, instead?" Mamoru held his head, feeling the ache coming on, compounding the soreness he was already feeling from before. "Really, Failnaught...
What do you want from me, that we'd be doing this?"
Failnaught allowed his duel disk to vanish as he stepped closer towards Mamoru, carefully. He may have won, but approaching too aggressively seemed to be an ill-informed decision. However, once he got close enough, he carefully put a hand onto his shoulder.
"Scy-- no, Yamada is the name, right?" Failnaught looked just as weary. "Whether or not you want to accept this, I saw it in the duel. You're in pain. Whatever happened, it hasn't wholly assimilated with you. And it's only going to get worse, the longer you avoid this."
Mamoru stared at Failnaught, wanting nothing more than to push his hand off of his shoulder, to ignore him, but the ache in his chest came upon him again, causing him to seethe.
"-- Fine. Fine, I get it. I don't like you, but you're not exactly lying that this is a problem." Mamoru clenched his jaw, the gaunt definition seemed clearer. "What can you do about it, then?"
"Come back to our home--"
"Your home, you mean."
"My home, yes." Failnaught corrected himself. "I can help to fix what might be causing the issues. Physical bodies are admittedly... a blind spot for me. But I was able to help Morall-- Koyo. I was able to help Koyo, before. I can likely help ease your pain."
"And why can't you do it here?"
"It'll be easier for me to access the material offered by the Legendary Numbers, if we're on the island, to help fix what's inside of you." Failnaught squeezed his hand slightly on the shoulder. "And to be quite honest, in the time it would take me to get the permissions to remove one of the cards and come back here to retrieve you, I can't trust you won't have second thoughts and run away, Yamada." Failnaught put emphasis on the name, trying desperately to keep in mind. Don't call him Scythe. Don't.
Mamoru, however, didn't entirely appreciate it, but understood the lack of trust. "... Fine. I get it." He finally pushed the hand off of him.
"Just how long is this going to take?"
-----
[Post]
I'll be taking a couple days off for the weekend, for medical reasons.
Akira, stay at home until I get back. You can have over friends, but I'd prefer you stay inside for the moment. If you order out for food, just tell me and I'll reimburse you.
Re: [Locked Event 4]
Really? You want me to sense it, instead?
As a test?
Re: [Locked Event 4]
Though it's more to see how well the restoration is progressing. The Core inside of you should resonate with the Weapon naturally, so sensing where it is shouldn't be an issue.
If you can at least point in the direction where it may be, among all of these Weapons, then I will lead you to it.
Re: [Locked Event 4]
Ugh. Of course it's about that... Fine, give me a moment.
*he closes his eyes to try to focus. just... something, anything to give him a feeling. For some reason, those emotions before were easier to identify and grasp onto, so maybe this...
... and then he felt it, like an itch on the back of his head, yet not. But it also told him...*
... You don't keep it out here. You keep it inside, in the main building.
Re: [Locked Event 4]
*Failnaught gives a very rare, visible smile, which... definitely disturbs Mamoru a little bit, but he gets up all the same.*
It means my restoration is having an intended, positive effect.
*starts to lead inside of the Sanctum's building, Mamoru following after him, as he goes into the side rooms, past where the Terminal is--
And there's a few Weapons there. Mamoru couldn't immediately tell while he kept these separated, but that's because his attention was taken instantly by the presence of the Scythe. He could feel the hairs on the back of his neck standing, remembering the last time he had handled it, but--
Then Failnaught put a hand on his shoulder.*
You don't need to touch it.
Re: [Locked Event 4]
I-- what?
*Mamoru shook his head a little. He felt like he had started to spiral into something again, but this felt more like. His emotions. His actual reaction to it. Of course he'd feel some trauma towards it, this is the thing that... set him on this path.
He slowly approached the Weapon, but avoids touching it, keeping his hands to himself as he examined it.*
You... Did a remarkable job in restoring this. It looks polished and like it's entirely new, other than...
*his eyes went to the gaping area where the Core would have been.*
... Well, still much better than the last time I saw it.
Re: [Locked Event 4]
I took the greatest care when it came to Scythe's Weapon. In the state it was in before, I was fortunate that I was able to gain all of the pieces to do so, in the first place.
Would you like to touch it, and see what happens?
Re: [Locked Event 4]
Ah...
*... he considered it a moment, even holding out his hand towards it, feeling like he could just grasp it...
... but then retracts his hand.*
No. No, not yet. There's still things I need to... Think about. But seeing it right now is enough.
Re: [Locked Event 4]
Fine, then.
What's the third thing?
Re: [Locked Event 4]
*Mamoru took a moment to think. Failnaught approaches him from behind, mostly to hear more clearly--
before he turns around and suddenly swings a fist at him.*
Re: [Locked Event 4]
So, understandably, the sudden assault is a shock to him, and ultimately, his real weakness really is close-quarters. Even though his eyes saw it coming easily, his movements were not speedy enough to handle it.
And thus, he got punched. Though it barely budged him-- like punching a rock that was made of nothing.*
... What... Exactly was that for...??
Re: [Locked Event 4]
*... retracts his hand, almost a little disappointed at the minimal effect of the punch, but he guesses he really does need to work out more.
He shakes it a little to remove the bizarre sensation he just felt.*
That in particular is from myself and Scythe. But that isn't the third thing, specifically.
The third thing is that I need you to establish a more regular point of contact with me. Without using Labrys as your in-between.
Re: [Locked Event 4]
I... Would have thought you'd prefer to see and hear less of me, given what has transpired over the past... Several hours, now.
Re: [Locked Event 4]
But a reason these emotions keep going out of control for me is because I'm going off of feelings about you that make no sense to me, simply because I don't know you, personally.
I want to-- no, I need to fix that problem. And I don't like feeling aggressive, when it comes to you. I don't like feeling aggressive at all, honestly.
But... Also with what you did just do, I need a way to contact you immediately if a change occurs. Without using Labrys as your personal messenger.
Re: [Locked Event 4]
... I see.
*Failnaught takes a moment to... Recompose himself. He isn't used to anyone doing anything like trying to punch him. The last ones to do that were Lancea and Chakram, but they had very good reasons to be aggressive... not that this wasn't a good reason, either, but still, a shock.*
Fine. I will... Look into avenues of communication. For this circumstance, specifically.
But I make no promises as to the method I settle upon, when it comes to you.
Re: [Locked Event 4]
That's all I ask for, but no more visits after sundown. It's like being visited by a ghoul.
I'm ready to return home.
Re: [Locked Event 4]
*Failnaught gestures, as a Gateway opens up*
If you're certain, then let's proceed.
Re: [Locked Event 4]
*Mamoru takes one more look at the Scythe, standing there, perfectly positioned as though unaffected by the gravity around it...
And then takes a step towards the Gateway instead.*
Yes, I'm ready. I'm sure Akira's been worried sick about me, anyway. And I've got more than enough to explain to him.
Re: [Locked Event 4]
*With that, Failnaught leads Mamoru through the Gateway, as it closes behind them.*