数的優位。

The past is merely a string of footsteps; the future is infinite.

[shacchou]

      Independent and private roleplay blog for Seto Kaiba & Priest Seto of the Yu-Gi-Oh! manga by Kazuki Takahashi. Manga-based, and expanded with headcanons. Main verse is post-DSOD and therefore canon-divergent. Dark and mature content will be present on this blog, please be aware that the Yu-Gi-Oh! series contains material that could be triggering to some. LOW ACTIVITY. Muse ≠ mun. Crossover and OC friendly. Minors DNI. Written by Ani, she/her, 25+.   ( 𝐑𝐔𝐋𝐄𝐒   //    𝐅𝐈𝐋𝐄𝐒 )

[universestreasures]

Those eyes, those piercing cold blue eyes, were the first thing he noticed. The sight caused the young boy to wince in the form of a slight gritting of his teeth and a light shaking of his hands that he hid by balling them into fists. It was an instinctual reaction, one that had developed ever since the shift in his brother's demeanor towards him, a demeanor that wasn't too far off from that of the monster who adopted them both all those years ago.

Mokuba used to be one of the most if not the most important thing in Seto's life. His brother's love and protectiveness for him was unconditional, something he still tried to provide even when under Gozaboru Kaiba's roof. At least...until they started to drift apart, a divide that was still in place even now after it had been over half a year since that man's passing.

What had not changed, however, was Mokuba's devotion and admiration towards his brother. His distancing himself from Lady Suzuha, his only real friend, to focus on honing his gaming skills...His amassing his little gang of followers using bribes and intimidation...His challenging of Yugi to that Capsule Monsters Chess game...All of it had been for the sake of Seto, or rather...to get Seto's approval and attention that he had desperately desired, to be seen as an imperative part of his life again.

So far he's been unsuccessful, his failures causing him no end of frustration and anger, but that was going to change when the 'Death-T' project was finished. For that place was the stage that he, Mokuba Kaiba, was going to end Yugi Muto. That would show his brother he was wrong to have ignored him for so long!

"Keh. How could I forget your obsession when that's all you talk about, big brother?" He scoffs after sitting down at the other end of the large table, his tone laced with sass and irritation. "But I guess I should be grateful you remembered to invite me to dinner at all. It's been a while since we did this."

He then takes a sip of his drink, chocolate milk, that had been already served to him prior to his arrival. The servants in the home were well aware of his preferred beverage, after all, and he is certain his meal would be one of his preferred ones. He wasn't exactly a fan of most of the food his brother ate, after all.

"So...how is the 'Death-T' plan going anyway? My stage is being built as we discussed, right?"

[shacchou]

It had been a while, had it not ? So much so that he could not exactly pinpoint the last time they had sat at the same dining table. Not that the number of times he had dined with Mokuba was a detail he cared to remember. In fact, the younger Kaiba was certainly excelling at reminding him exactly why he had taken to avoiding this. The backtalk was irritating enough. But it was the insolence, coupled with that terribly hidden resentment that dripped off of the boy's every word that served to stir something unsightly that permanently dwelled in his chest.

The mention of Death-T, at least, provided a welcomed distraction. Before an answer could be given, the presence of servants sent the room into silence, interrupted only by the sound of steps, porcelain and cutlery. With almost robotic practice, the food was served; two entirely different meals sitting in front of each brother, given the stark contrast in their preferences and Seto's more sophisticated palate.

When the servants retreated, blue eyes once more fixed on the younger Kaiba, narrowing visibly as he spoke.

❛  So you haven't abandoned your resolve to involve yourself in this. ❜ An observation, rather than an inquiry. This was an injudicious decision on Mokuba's part, most certainly. There was a reason why he had opposed to his brother taking part in this. Mokuba was a fool to ignore this. After all, Seto knew exactly how this would end. The younger Kaiba's chances of defeating Yugi were simply nonexistent. And the word 'mercy' was nowhere written in the rules of Death-T.

But if he insisted, Seto would let him do as he wished. It was about time the kid learned to take responsibility for his own self and his foolish mistakes, rather than expect Seto to do so for him—- as he had done his entire life.

❛  It is being built. It shouldn't take long now. I intend to unveil Death-T before the month ends. ❜ The sooner the better, after all. He couldn't wait to finally be able to crush Yugi with his own hands.

[universestreasures]

Seto's response is one he expected the second he heard the other sigh, knowing precisely what he meant by his words. His brother had become very cautious ever since Duelist Kingdom when it came to him having security. He was always accompanied by someone when at work, and during any large-scale event. This didn't happen when he went to see his friends or at school, but he was pretty confident that was going to change starting tommorow.

Man...his friends' view of his brother being, in essence, his parent was just going to get more solidified after they find out about this...Mokuba can already hear Baku going "I told you so, bro." the next time they run into each other. This certainly wasn't help with the now complicated view his friends mentioning of the topic earlier had brought about in him. While he didn't see his brother as a father and probably never will, he can't help but start to label when his brother started acting like one, especially when such behavior was very apparent like it was now.

"I...I understand, Seto...I'll promise to be more careful." Mokuba doesn't protest, knowing he sorta deserved it and doing so wouldn't work. When things like this happened, discipline was sure to follow. It was his way of 'teaching Mokuba a lesson', as one would say. However, his methods, while certainly strict like his friends had said, were a far cry from the ones their late stepfather would have placed and were done with his best interest in mind. Those very facts were the ones that made all the difference.

Plus, he knew Seto could be somewhat reasonable when it came to these things depending on the argument, which is why the teen then asks what he does next. "Can...Can I make a request, though? Can Isano be the person who accompanies me? Not only is he competent and someone you trust, but he is already familiar with the places and people I frequently visit. Plus, they are already familiar with him as well. I...I really don't want this to be more awkward than it's already going to be if I can help it, Seto."

His friends and school were well aware of Isano, for he is the one who usually picks up and drops him off from places. He was also the one looking out for Mokuba from a distance during his long-stay at Tasuku's following that emotional confrontation with his brother. So, having him be around during his outings wouldn't be too polarizing, certainly less than if it were someone else.

At the elder Kaiba's last question, Mokuba gives standing up a try. He slowly moves to place his feet on the ground, feeling them instantly start to wobble. Pushing through it, he eventually lets go of his brother's hold, managing to stand upright on his feet...for a few moments before he falls forward right back into his brother's arms.

"Welp...I guess that answers your question." He looks visibly frustrated up at his brother, no doubt lying in the bed he made by running a few dozen city blocks without really stopping. "A little help here, bro? Can't exactly make it to my room on my own right now..."

[shacchou]

What came next from Mokuba wasn't a protest, at least. A good thing all by itself. Nevertheless, the boy's request made him pause. Objectively speaking, it was a reasonable enough request, though one which he wasn't looking forward to complying with. Finding a replacement for Isono while the man chaperoned his brother would be difficult. Such had already been proven when he sent the man to Cho-Tokyo to look after the younger Kaiba. Even though he had spent most of those days locked up in his laboratory, Isono's absence from his usual post had been noticed. And considering that the CEO's schedule now wasn't exactly compatible with such a routine, well, a change in Isono's duties was certain to cause him inconveniences. Seto could easily bring to mind a list of employees whose performances were up to the highest standards, but when it came to reliability, none could even hope to compete with Isono.

❛  I'll consider it. ❜ He purposely refrained from giving a direct answer just yet, despite a mental note to make the necessary arrangements. Far be it for his brother to end up assuming that he could simply and immediately get anything he asked for even when facing the consequences for his recklessness.

When Mokuba moved back in an attempt at standing up, Seto's gaze —hawk-like— followed the younger Kaiba's every action. Despite Mokuba initially succeeding at standing upright, the CEO's attentiveness proved useful when the boy suddenly fell forward again, Seto's arms ready to catch him before he could hurt himself.

The breath that escaped him then was one accompanied by something akin to discontent. Just how much effort had his brother made to land himself in such a state ? Suddenly a mere modification of the teen's security arrangements seemed too little of a consequence for such display of carelessness.

❛  Tch. It can't be helped, ❜ he accepted. Turning his attention away from his work wasn't something he had planned nor wanted to do at the moment, but it was rather obvious that his brother wasn't in a condition to walk all the way to his room by himself. Mokuba would be lucky if he could even make it to the laboratory's exit.

So, for the first time in what felt like many hours, he stood up from his chair, easily taking the younger Kaiba into his arms as he did so and allowing the boy to make himself comfortable against his chest. It wasn't the first time, and most certainly wouldn't be the last, he carried his brother, the action having long since become natural to him. Once secured in his grasp, he began to make his way out of the laboratory and to Mokuba's bedroom, swiftly deciding that he might as well use the break to get himself some coffee on the way back.

[universestreasures]

When he felt his brother's grip tighten, Mokuba moved and rested his weight against him, with his chin now on Seto's chest. His legs felt like jelly, the paining sensation from all that running catching up to him. He certainly burned off that chocolate parfait he had consumed prior to the Buddyfight, that was for certain.

What also was certain was the change in the elder Kaiba's demeanor, something the younger Kaiba noticed immediately. He should have figured his brother wouldn't be too happy about his decision, if not for the physical toll it took on his body then for the safety concern. Maybe he shouldn't have been so honest...

"Uh...Uh..." He's at a loss for words, but he has to say something to avoid the potential of a grounding. "I-I didn't...I thought...I thought about it Seto, honest! But then I thought it would have been faster if I just ran, s-since then I didn't have to sit around waiting for anyone to pick me up!"

His head then turns to the side slightly, his voice lowering to a whisper as he essentially starts speaking his thoughts aloud unintentionally. Though, unfortunately for him, the whisper was no doubt still loud enough for Seto to hear. In fact, considering their proximity at the current moment, there was no way he couldn't hear it.

"Then again...I could have just asked Gao to take me home on his Buddy Skill...He was right there, and his skinboard does have room for two...Flying certainly is faster than running...Okay, maybe I didn't think this through enough..."

[shacchou]

The very open display of his brother admitting to his carelessness forced a sharp sigh from Seto's lips. Not that he had expected the younger Kaiba to produce a convincing explanation for his recklessness, but perhaps he had thought that Mokuba would at least not own up to it this easily. Either way, if there was one thing he was not willing to risk, it was his brother's safety. Therefore, measures had to be taken.

❛ I'll see that your security arrangements are adjusted to compensate for your lack of caution.  ❜ His voiced remained firm, a clear sign that he would not accept objections over this matter. To further avoid any other form of protest, he spoke again after a short moment. ❛ Before you ask me to reconsider, know that I'll do that when you prove to me that this change is no longer necessary, and not a moment earlier.  ❜

After the last word has been spoken, blue eyes looked down at his brother; or, more accurately, at the top of the younger Kaiba's head that was visible from his position.

❛ Can you stand up ?  ❜ Now that the matter pertaining to Mokuba's security arrangements had been addressed, what was left was to focus on the younger Kaiba's physical condition.

[shacchou]

@universestreasures asked: ❝ i'm only managing to stand here on my two feet because of you. i made it because of you. ❞ (From Yugi)

He should have expected a reaction like this from Yugi; always one to resort to the more saccharine forms of emotionalism. The utter success of the latest test run was certain to mark a before and after in the development of Spherium. The project was now far from the rudimentary prototype Yugi had initially presented, brought to life after months of endless work and through Kaiba Corporation's newest version of the Solid Vision System. An impressive sight, indeed.

❛  Hmph. Can you be any more ridiculous ? ❜ His response came seconds later, followed by a pause that gave way to silence as the CEO's arms crossed over his chest. Even now, he could still hear the celebratory exclamations of his R&D team in the adjacent room, the same from which Yugi had just come from. ❛  Camaraderie, kindliness—- these notions may work for you. But they are useless to me. So don't insult me by assuming I lent you my technology moved by some form of sentimentalism. This is business. Our partnership is based on my objective assessment of Spherium's potential. ❜ And Seto knew potential when he saw it. In fact, Yugi's creation was not simply up to standards—- it exceeded them. And as he had found out through their daily work, so was Yugi's work ethic.

Before he spoke again, his gaze, until then focused on the tempered glass that provided a privileged view to the arena, moved to meet with Yugi's.

❛  We both know Kaiba Corporation is not the only one that won today. So drop the humble act. A victory that is not savored is pointless. ❜

[shacchou]

@universestreasures asked: ❛ wow, look who remembered my existence. ❜ (Mokuba, just before Death T )

Other than habit, there wasn't a particular reason for which he summoned the younger Kaiba to the dining room that evening. The sight of the long and unoccupied table and the two plates elegantly served there had simply made him notice his brother's absence; thus prompting the curt order to the butler to fetch Mokuba.

In hindsight though, and had he known that Mokuba's choice of greeting would be some sardonic remark upon setting foot in the room, perhaps he would have chosen to dine on his own.

❛  My time has been occupied with imperative matters. ❜ he spoke firmly; blue eyes, akin to sharp knives, piercing through the younger Kaiba.

Ever since his defeat at Yugi's hands, he had dedicated his full time and attention to building the perfect instrument of revenge, one sure to crush Muto Yugi. Said goal had transformed into days of endless hours of work and sleepless nights plagued by terrors. Not that he expected his brother to fully comprehend the depth of the anger and hatred that seethed below the surface; that unquenchable thirst for retribution.

After all, given certain information that had recently come into his possession, it seemed that the boy was perfectly content occupying his time with prancing about with his little group of miscreants.

❛  —- Or is it that you've conveniently forgotten this ? ❜

[rpclefairy]

𝟐𝟎𝟎 𝐑𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐎𝐌 𝐃𝐈𝐀𝐋𝐎𝐆𝐔𝐄 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐌𝐏𝐓𝐒 

from this generator.

❛ close your eyes and hold out your hands. ❜ ❛ what are you smiling at? ❜ ❛ i can’t leave you alone for one minute, can i? ❜ ❛ was it you? did you do all this? ❜ ❛ i don’t know how you do this every day… ❜ ❛ that is not an appropriate question to ask a lady you’ve just met. ❜ ❛ i’m not sorry. ❜ ❛ i did warn you not to trust me. ❜ ❛ do you remember anything? at all? ❜ ❛ you’re lucky you’re cute. ❜ ❛ why don’t you just kill me? ❜ ❛ did you hurt yourself? ❜ ❛ i could show you the way. ❜ ❛ i don’t feel so good. ❜ ❛ you owe me a dinner. a very nice dinner. ❜ ❛ don’t go. please. ❜ ❛ you wanna know what your problem is? ❜ ❛ i’m here to drink alone. ❜ ❛ don’t run away from this. ❜ ❛ i’m just saying, murder is an option. ❜ ❛ i didn’t realize you were in so much pain. ❜ ❛ i guess it runs in the family, huh? ❜ ❛ you wouldn’t understand. ❜ ❛ we’ve been through a lot. i think we should just lay low and take it easy. ❜ ❛ dangerous to be out so late. ❜ ❛ i hope you haven’t been standing out in the cold this whole time. ❜ ❛ i made a mistake. ❜ ❛ am i not good enough? ❜ ❛ i’m going to get you out of here. ❜ ❛ why did you bring me here? ❜ ❛ aren’t we in a good mood today? ❜ ❛ don’t shut me out. please. ❜ ❛ the storm’s getting worse. ❜ ❛ i never meant to hurt you. ❜ ❛ you’re about as intimidating as a butterfly. ❜ ❛ have you come to laugh at me in my miserable state? ❜ ❛ here, take this. you’ll catch a cold. ❜ ❛ this is the part where you leave. ❜ ❛ why are you talking like we’ll never see each other again? ❜ ❛ you stepped on my foot! ❜ ❛ you’re not a very convincing liar. ❜ ❛ we’re in completely different leagues. ❜ ❛ how did you find me? ❜ ❛ i don’t need you anymore. ❜ ❛ rough day today? ❜ ❛ snap out of it! ❜ ❛ you look better in my clothes than i do. ❜ ❛ why are you still here? ❜ ❛ can i ask… what happened? ❜ ❛ are you saying you care about me? ❜ ❛ i won’t let anyone hurt you. ❜ ❛ it’s not stealing if it was mine to begin with. ❜ ❛ well, this is where i live. ❜ ❛ we’re not so different after all. ❜ ❛ how long have i been asleep? ❜ ❛ no more lies, no more secrets. ❜ ❛ can you forgive me? ❜ ❛ i thought you… i saw you get shot. ❜ ❛ why are you really here? ❜ ❛ i wish we never met. ❜ ❛ you look like you need a hug. ❜ ❛ would you run away with me? ❜ ❛ see? i’m not just a pretty face. ❜ ❛ we can stop them. i can help you. ❜ ❛ what now? i’m tired. ❜ ❛ i didn’t want you to see me like this. ❜ ❛ i can’t do this without you. ❜ ❛ if you tell me yours, i’ll tell you mine. ❜ ❛ are you threatening me? ❜ ❛ did you ever care about me? ❜ ❛ treat me like the princess that i am! ❜ ❛ i’m not leaving you. ❜ ❛ why did you come? ❜ ❛ i need your help… and you need mine. ❜ ❛ i wish i could hate you. ❜ ❛ i see you don’t recognize me. well, it was a long time ago. ❜ ❛ you’ve lost a lot of blood. ❜ ❛ i had my suspicions, but until now i wasn’t sure. ❜ ❛ there’s nothing left for me here. ❜ ❛ that is… literally illegal. you’re describing something illegal. ❜ ❛ wait. i’ve heard that sound before. ❜ ❛ just try to hang on. ❜ ❛ so why’s it so important anyway? ❜ ❛ i’ll stay in tonight, thanks. ❜ ❛ we can’t keep going on like this. ❜ ❛ in about a minute, you’ll be sorry you didn’t listen to me. ❜ ❛ is this seat taken? sorry, it’s a bit crowded here. ❜ ❛ you can’t leave me here alone! ❜ ❛ i’ll believe it when i see it. ❜ ❛ why are you laughing? this is a very serious situation. ❜ ❛ i bought two. here. ❜ ❛ i’ve seen you before, walking by. ❜ ❛ why can’t i come with you? ❜ ❛ c'mon. aren’t you worried what might happen if we go? ❜ ❛ walk with me? ❜ ❛ it’s very rude to stare. ❜ ❛ how many times have i told you? you can’t visit me here. ❜ ❛ we can’t fix this. can we? ❜ ❛ are you going to kill me? ❜ ❛ it’s not like you can stop me. ❜ ❛ it’s not safe for people to see us together. ❜ ❛ take me with you. ❜ ❛ some risks are worth taking. ❜ ❛ let them go. take me instead. ❜ ❛ what do you want in exchange for it? ❜ ❛ is being drunk an excuse? ❜ ❛ promise me you won’t overreact. ❜ ❛ how can i possibly trust you? after all you’ve done. ❜ ❛ how long have you been standing there? ❜ ❛ why did you wake me? ❜ ❛ i’m not here to talk about my feelings. ❜ ❛ you were going to leave without saying goodbye? ❜ ❛ for some reason, i’m attracted to you. ❜ ❛ promise me? ❜ ❛ it’s nothing, i’m just tired. ❜ ❛ i feel safe with you. ❜ ❛ i don’t need your help. ❜ ❛ i think i have a bit more experience with this thing than you do. ❜ ❛ no way, i’m not doing that. ❜ ❛ i do care. ❜ ❛ you snore in your sleep. it’s adorable. ❜ ❛ i have a spare bed. ❜ ❛ you’re very kind. some day it’ll get you killed. ❜ ❛ you’ll always have a home with me. ❜ ❛ of course i care. you’re my family. ❜ ❛ you shouldn’t insult people that are bigger than you. ❜ ❛ i never wanted to hurt you. ❜ ❛ i swear it wasn’t me. ❜ ❛ we can just sit here, you don’t have to talk. ❜ ❛ did you miss me? ❜ ❛ this isn’t just about you. it’s about what’s best for all of us. ❜ ❛ you can never admit when you’re wrong! ❜ ❛ is this what you wanted? ❜ ❛ what are you doing out here by yourself? ❜ ❛ sorry to put you through that. i guess i owe you one now. ❜ ❛ the only time you talk to me is when you need something. ❜ ❛ i’m still learning. ❜ ❛ if you have something to say, spit it out. ❜ ❛ you… don’t like me very much, do you? ❜ ❛ i’m on your side. ❜ ❛ i risked my life for you! ❜ ❛ whatever you’re going to ask, the answer is no. ❜ ❛ you can stay with me. ❜ ❛ i just need time. ❜ ❛ please don’t do this, don’t act like you care. ❜ ❛ who the hell invited you? ❜ ❛ what? no witty remark? nothing clever to say? ❜ ❛ i just wanted to say i’m sorry. ❜ ❛ think of it as a compliment. ❜ ❛ do you ever stop being so serious and dull? ❜ ❛ it’s rare to see your kind around here. ❜ ❛ you remember me. that’s good. ❜ ❛ you’re a terrible flirt you know. ❜ ❛ are you kidding me? we’re not ‘fine’! ❜ ❛ right now i wish i was dead. ❜ ❛ i guess i should’ve told you. ❜ ❛ you’re not alone. i’m here. ❜ ❛ you’ve been so quiet. what’s on your mind? ❜ ❛ knowledge is power. ❜ ❛ you scared me. ❜ ❛ well, what’s so strange about that? ❜ ❛ don’t look at me like that. ❜ ❛ i want to be there when you get what’s coming to you. ❜ ❛ just who do you think you are? ❜ ❛ you look… amazing. ❜ ❛ we’re safe, aren’t we? ❜ ❛ you know, i really hoped i’d never see this place again. ❜ ❛ don’t touch me. get away from me. ❜ ❛ i thought you’d like this. ❜ ❛ it’s too dark, i can’t see anything. ❜ ❛ what’s that smug look for? you think you can do any better? ❜ ❛ who did you piss off this time? ❜ ❛ you should’ve thought about that before you got into a fight. ❜ ❛ i only wanted to help. ❜ ❛ you knew and you didn’t tell me? ❜ ❛ you don’t scare me. ❜ ❛ wow, look who remembered my existence. ❜ ❛ change isn’t easy. ❜ ❛ why did you help me? ❜ ❛ why do you hate me? ❜ ❛ i can’t even trust myself anymore. ❜ ❛ i was making sure you weren’t dead, since you never called. ❜ ❛ you look awful. what happened? ❜ ❛ are you here to kill me? ❜ ❛ you know you aren’t allowed in here, right? ❜ ❛ was that a friend of yours? ❜ ❛ two years later and you haven’t changed. ❜ ❛ you look like you just saw a ghost. ❜ ❛ nobody tells me what to do. ❜ ❛ you’re too scared to do it, aren’t you? ❜ ❛ come on. it can’t be that bad. ❜ ❛ i hope to repay your kindness someday. ❜ ❛ just let me do this for you. ❜ ❛ why were they coming after you? ❜ ❛ how many people have you killed? how many? ❜ ❛ how much do you value your life? ❜ ❛ you don’t know when to give up, do you? ❜ ❛ don’t lie to me. ❜ ❛ i’m not sober enough to talk about this. ❜ ❛ have a drink with me. ❜

[noahsresources]

in case you didn't know

for muses who need to share some intimate thoughts with one another. can be platonic, romantic, familial ... works with any kind of dynamic really. feel free to change pronouns, descriptor words, whatever you may need!

❝ you know i love and care about you, right? ❞ ❝ ... i guess i'm just scared of losing you. ❞ ❝ i don't like most people, but you're an exception. ❞ ❝ you're not alone. you'll never be alone. not as long as i'm here. ❞ ❝ by your side is where i'm meant to be. ❞ ❝ not one person is more important to me than you. ❞ ❝ i don't know what it is about you, but, you just ... you're the only one who can make me feel like this. ❞ ❝ you're amazing, you know that? ❞ ❝ who has the greatest (friend/brother/sister/sibling/parent/etc) in the world? me, that's who! ❞ ❝ i'm only managing to stand here on my two feet because of you. i made it because of you. ❞ ❝ i don't know how i'm ever going to be able to repay you. ❞ ❝ i know for a fact that you're special. i can feel it. ❞ ❝ you've actually made me feel like a person again, like i'm ... normal. ... thank you. ❞ ❝ i used to think that everyone else was just evil and cynical, guided by their own self-interest. that is, until i met you. ❞ ❝ you truly are too good for this world. ❞ ❝ i'm always blown away by just how talented you are. ❞ ❝ you deserve so much more than what you were given. ❞ ❝ nobody i've ever met has been more gifted than you. ❞ ❝ if you ever need a place to stay, let me know, okay? ❞ ❝ you always feel really comfortable and safe to be around. ❞ ❝ i think i have a new purpose in my life. to be with you. ❞ ❝ you have a kind heart. i know you don't believe me, and you try to hide it behind a facade, but i know for a fact that you do, deep down. ❞ ❝ i think you're probably the only one who understands me. ❞ ❝ you're safe here with me. nobody's going to harm you ever again. ❞ ❝ i don't deserve someone as amazing as you. ❞ ❝ i was kind to you because you looked like you needed a friend. ❞ ❝ i'm never leaving you. you're stuck with me. ❞

[universestreasures]

@shacchou (Plotted Starter)

When she woke up that morning, long white locks flowing behind her as she stretched her arms up towards the sky, Kisara thought today would be like any other. She had a meeting with another potential client wanting her to perform potentially for an event, one where Shiori would do most of the negotiating, while Kisara would offer her input and perform a demo if needed. It was a simple enough process and one she's gotten used to. And even if the client was high profile, like the president of Kaiba Corperation, she didn't feel worried.

At least...not until she stepped out of the car and was met with the sight of statues that caused her heart to race unexpectedly, statues of a dragon that's haunted her dreams for years...

Kisara, ironically, had little knowledge of Duel Monsters. The TCG that swept the world was simply out of her radar, the singer far too busy on tour to pay attention to such developments unless it was necessary for a client. And while her sister told her Kaiba Corperation does develop game technology for that game, she knew little of it beyond the fact it used cards and had monsters and magic as a main selling point. So, she had no idea that the creature carved out in the form of a statue, a creature from her dreams, was a powerful beast in the realm of Duel Monsters.

It isn't until Shiori places a hand on her shoulder that Kisara snaps back to reality, her entire body feeling warm and slightly light headed as she presses a hand to her forehead. Without missing a beat, Shiori then asks one of the Kaiba Corperation staff if her sister can take a short break, playing it off as her being carsick from the ride over here. They soon then are given a private place to sit in the form of one of the unused conference rooms along with some water bottles, Kisara being gently guided to a chair by her sister whose expression conveyed a sense of worry.

"Ki, what's going on?" Her voice is soft and calm just like their mothers. "It isn't like you to zone out when on the job. Are you...not feeling well? Did your breakfast not agree with you? I told you to eat something light!"

"I'm...alright, Shi. I just..." Kisara pauses her speech, wanting to better try and phrase her thoughts properly in her head before saying it outloud. "I know this is going to sound strange, but do you remember when we were younger and I told you I saw...a white dragon in my dreams?"

"Of course, I do. You wouldn't stop talking about it until I helped you fall asleep again."

"Those statues at the front of the building....They're of...that dragon."

"Are you positive..?"

"I'm sure of it. The head, the wings, the body, the eyes...They all are exactly as I saw in my dreams. So, I was just...a little startled, that's all."

"How odd...That dragon is from the Duel Monsters card game, something that wasn't even around when we were kids. 'Blue Eyes White Dragon' I think is it's name. The president of Kaiba Corperation is very fond of them, according to my research. That would explain the statues out front."

"Blue Eyes...White...Dragon..." Kisara says the name slowly as if savoring it on our tounge. Why did that name sound...familar and...nostaligic despite having not heard of it prior to now? She then reaches for one of the water bottles, opening it and drinking from it slowly in an attempt to distract her from this.

It's then that Kisara feels the gentle touch of her sister's hand on her own, giving the younger sister that reassuring smile that helped her through her toughest trials. Shiori always looked out for her ever since they were little, even now as they navigated the complicated world of music. In this moment, she is happy to have her here.

"Alright, let's just take a deep breath and reset. No use dwelling on this when we have a meeting to get to." She then stands to her feet, offering her hand for stability as Kisara soon joins her. "Never a good look to be all flustered in front of a client, right Ki?"

"Right, Shi." She nods before partaking in a short breathing exercise with her sister, one their father taught them at a young age that involved closing their eyes, placing a hand on their stomach, and taking a deep breath in and out. It was simple but effective way for both of them to calm and get refocused. This was a meeting they didn't want to mess up, after all.

Once reccuoperated, both sisters exit the space and inform the employee assisting them that they were ready now. They are then lead to an elevator, one that was to lead straight to their client's personal office. Kisara prepares herself during the ride, taking subtle breathes and giving herself internal verbal affirmations that everything was going to go okay in the end.

As if fate would be that nice...

Following entering the floor, the sisters are led into by another suited man, one of the preident's assistants no doubt. It was after entering the spacious and well-organized office space that Kisara laid her eyes for the first time upon her client. He was tall with brown hair and blue eyes, wearing in a long and stylized coat not too dissimilar to something she'd expect one of her fellow musical colleagues to wear.

Though, it was only after her eyes made the breifest of eye contact with him did her heart start to race and her eyes went blurred for a moment. In that blurrniess she face with a flurry of flashing visions, ones that constantly went on and off as if it were being controlled by a lightswitch. The image of the CEO was interspeced quickly with one of a similiar looking man, one of tanner skin adorned in golden jewelry and an Egyptain looking headress.

That man...she's seen him before, once in a dream from months ago that was different than the others. She remembers seeing him from the back, holding a lifeless women who resembled herself while looking at a stone tablet of...a dragon.

"Y-You..?" The sound is barely audible, but the reaction on her face was not. Kisara looked beyond surprised, as if she had just been spooked by a ghost. Quick to notice her sister's reaction and wanting to cover it up, Shiori stands in front of her sister in attempt to block her from view as she begins the meeting.

"We are beyond greatful to have the opportunity to meet with you today, Mr. Kaiba. My name is Shiori Utahara. I am The Blue-Eyed Maiden's agent as well as her elder sister. A pleasure, truly." She makes a respectful bow then, with the younger Utahara following close behind. The time with her face hidden is used to pull herself back together, Kisara then displaying her usual soft and calm smile upon having stood back up.

"It's nice to meet you, Mr. Kaiba." Her voice is soft and sweet, but laced with just a hint of unease despite her best efforts. Hopefully, it will not be noticed by their potential client.

"Now, from my understanding, you wish to have The Blue-Eyed Maiden perform for an event relating to your new theme park in America, is that correct?" Shiori continues, getting to the heat of the details as if to further distract from her sister's earlier reaction. "Can you provide us some more details and what type of performance you are looking for? My sister is quite well-versed in various musical styles, you see. She's even prepared to demo a sample or two for you, if you'd prefer that over a recording."

[shacchou]

His secretary, as per usual practice, informed him through the interphone of the arrival of the women who were to take part in his next meeting of the day. A meeting that, the CEO surmised, would be of the monotonous sort from beginning to end. The famous singer's presence there, after all, was a result of a recommendation by the heiress of the Amanosuzu Group, that had been further and insistently substantiated by his brother, rather than personal preference or selection. Music, particularly the kind of which Utahara Kisara had seemingly grown popular for, wasn't exactly an interest of his. Nevertheless, said indifference was not enough to convince him into delegating negotiations that pertained to an event over which he sought to have absolute control.

Kaiba Land's inauguration in America was a step further into the completion of a goal that both he and Mokuba had set for themselves; a lifelong dream. Said event would mark the culmination of months of continuous and tireless work. As with all events hosted by Kaiba Corporation, it was set to be a big, never seen before spectacle, aided not only by the use of the company's most advanced technology, but by other forms of popular entertainment; including those in the music industry.

The purpose of this particular meeting, besides discussing the specifics of a contract, was to evaluate whether this recommendation was actually worth accepting. He trusted Mokuba, that much was true. But given his brother's behavior when learning of the possibility of Kaiba Corporation offering a contract to The Blue-Eyed Maiden, it became clear to Seto that the boy saw Utahara Kisara through the eyes of a supporter and fan; hardly the objective perspective that was required for business.

A moment passed between Isono opening the door to his office and the CEO's gaze focusing on the newcomers. Blue eyes first noticed the older of the two, assuming her to be the singer's agent, with whom his company's representative had arranged this meeting. Upon a brief examination that resulted in his countenance remaining as impassive as ever, his gaze moved to her companion.

The aloofness, once attached to his mien like a second skin, vanished the very moment eye contact was made with the singer; replaced with widened eyes and a visible halt in movement. It took the CEO no longer than a second to search within the archives of his mind and pinpoint exactly why the woman who stood before him seemed so overwhelmingly familiar; images rushing to his thoughts, evoking the same vision that, like a film, had played before his eyes during his duel against Ishizu in the quarterfinals of Battle City.

She looked exactly like that woman. The woman with long white hair that lied inert in the arms of...

The sudden action from the singer's agent as she moved to stand in front of her forced the intrusive thoughts away. Though he happened to get a brief glimpse of the unexplained surprised that seemed that have taken possession of the woman's features, he chose not to dwell on that. Instead, the realization that he had allowed his mind to wander enough to so much as consider the possibility of this woman being even distantly related to some vision that was hardly relevant now, irked him rather greatly.

How utterly ridiculous.

His response to the agent came in the form of a curt nod; his countenance quickly regaining that usual impassivity that betrayed no emotion. And though a pause took place when Kisara spoke, followed by a transitory look of acknowledgment during which he noticed her unease, he made no comment in response.

Further introductions were unnecessary, and he was certainly not one prone to small talk, nor did he have the time for it. By the looks of it though, the elder sister wasn't expecting any of that either, since she immediately proceeded to inquire about the details of the performance and what was expected from her sister.

❛  That is correct. Kaiba Corporation will inaugurate a theme park in America. Given that your sister has garnered international popularity, her name has become of interest to my company for this specific event. ❜ He leaned back against his chair as he spoke, blue eyes focusing on the agent. ❛  The details are simple enough. I expect a live performance. I do not care for pantomimes. The song choice should match the energy of the event. Pitifully sad lyrics are out of the question. ❜ He doubted any of that would be an issue. From the information he had gathered, it seemed that lip sync was not exactly a practice Kisara engaged in. Whether that was true or not, he was sure to get confirmation soon.

❛  I also do not want some absurd dance to be incorporated to the performance. Your sister will be provided with an outfit relevant to the event, and she will be given the option to pre-approve it. Beyond that, the visual accompaniment to the performance will be provided by my company, and your sister will be given enough time to familiarize herself with it at rehearsals. ❜ This was an event by Kaiba Corporation, after all. He was not planning to refrain from showcasing the company's technology in each performance.

❛  As for your last inquiry, ❜ he paused, blue eyes diverting towards Kisara. There was no stopping the way they narrowed at the immediate and irksome sense of familiarity that her mere image seemed to conjure. ❛  I am certain it is unnecessary for me to explain why I expect a live sample over a recording. ❜

[universestreasures]

As Seto's arms expectedly wrapped around him, Mokuba felt a sense of peace as he always did when he was in his brother's arms. The older man provided the boy with a sense of security unlike anything else. He felt so comfortable that the urgency in the CEO's voice, obviously showing he was worried about Mokuba's condition, almost didn't get noticed.

"Huh?" His eyes blink, quickly awakening from being lost in the warmth of the embrace realizing that he was causing his brother unnecessary worry. "N-Nothing happened! I'm just...I'm just-"

It's then that Mokuba's feet lose their grip on the floor, the boy's legs now hanging over the chair's edge and his and Seto's hold on one another being the only thing keeping him stable. "...tired. I...I ran all the way here from Castle after I had a Buddyfight with Akatsuki and had a talk with my friends, which you'll be happy to hear that I totally kicked his butt in that game!"

He then looks up at his brother as best he could in his current position, trying his best to hide the shortness of his breath and calm his beating heart. "I'm okay, bro. Really, I'm fine. I just...I just really wanted to see you, that's all."

[shacchou]

Seto was quick to tighten his grip on the boy when he felt him losing his footing, allowing the younger Kaiba to shift his weight against him. Mokuba’s subsequent explanation, though enough to quell prior concern, gave way to one of a different sort. In response, his eyes narrowed once more; discontent in the form of a frown pulling at the edges of his lips.

❛  You ran here ? ❜ It was this detail Seto chose to focus on, though he did hear everything that his brother said. The news of his victory from that day was far from a surprise. After all, Seto wouldn’t expect any less from his little brother.

❛  I do not recall giving Isono, or any of our drivers, the day off. Did you not call any of them ? ❜ Exhausting himself to such a degree by running all the way here was reckless enough of the younger Kaiba, but in Seto's eyes, doing so alone and at this hour of the day was even worse. Despite having reservations that were more than warranted given some past events ( particularly what transpired at Pegasus' island ), Seto had refrained from insisting that his brother accepted the presence of a bodyguard when meeting those friends of his. Nevertheless, he expected the younger Kaiba to adhere to at least basic security measures before and after said meetings.

[shacchou]

@universestreasures asked:

Following his match with Akatsuki and the talk he had with his friends afterward, he ran as fast as his little legs could carry him all the way from the mall back to his house. Normally, he'd ask Isano or one of his friends to take him back, but he was too focused right now to waste time waiting around. He had to get home. He had to get home to see his brother.

And finally, after what felt like forever, the now breathless Mokuba found himself at his estate. He wastes no time bursting through the front doors, almost running over a few of the maids in the process, in order to head towards his brother's laboratory, where he was certain Seto would be.

After bypassing the security measures, the boy makes it inside the space. His breath is heavy as he finally stops moving, hands being placed on his knees. Before him was indeed Seto, seeming to be working as he expected him to be. A moment to breathe was taken before he sprinted forward, his arms opened wide as he then wraps his brother in an embrace with a bit more oomph than normal to the point he almost knocked the chair his brother was in over.

Mokuba doesn't say anything though, simply hugging his brother as he breathes in and out and his heart races rapidly to the point his brother could no doubt feel it due to the close contact. Even if he surely might pass out from all the exercise he just did, to Mokuba it was worth it. For he was with his brother now, and that's all that mattered.

(From Mokie <3)

The alert to Mokuba's presence came rather suddenly; an automatic notice sent to his phone by the complex security system, notifying him that someone had gained access to the laboratory using his brother's data. Given that the younger Kaiba's presence was commonplace, Seto's reaction to the alert —in the form of a glance to his phone— lasted only for a transient moment before his gaze returned to the digital blueprints he had been previously examining, surmising that Mokuba, as per usual, would join him soon.

It was the sound of heavy breathing —an atypical development— that immediately forced his attention away from the work at hand, blue eyes narrowing visibly upon a brief examination of his brother's state.

But before a word could be said, he saw the younger Kaiba sprinting forward, barely given time to react as the boy, quite literally, threw himself into his arms. Were the wheels of his chair not locked, the force of such action would have surely sent it flying backwards. It was both said force and the complete unexpectedness of such an action that left the CEO temporarily frozen in place, before his own arms finally moved in instinctual motion to wrap —somewhat awkwardly at first given the boy's position— around the younger Kaiba's form.

His brother appeared to be physically unharmed. But his agitated state and the fact that Seto could feel how the younger Kaiba's heart raced as if threatening to jump right out of his chest, was enough to elicit concern.

❛  Mokuba ? What happened ? ❜ There was no hiding the urgency in his voice. ❛  What's wrong ? ❜

[littleyugi]

Yu-Gi-Oh! Marathon ▶ Ep 24 || Kuriboh Multiply! The Astonishing Result

[ygo-dm-manga]

[universestreasures]

The woman could feel her heartbeat slowly increase as she waited for his answer. By all accounts, she wasn't exactly in a position to be asking her savior for anything more than what she had been given. He had no obligation to answer her curiosity. Still, she felt the need to express her thoughts in hopes that the knowledge she sought would be bestowed upon her.

As fate would have it, Kisara's wishes would be granted. For Lord Seto did confirm the words that she had been told previously, the reiterated fact still eliciting a reaction from her in the form of her eyes widening ever so slightly and her heart racing just a bit more. She had the power akin to a god? Her of all people? The thought was still difficult to comprehend, but she believed in his truth nonetheless.

Though, her reaction to the previously given information only seemed to increase at what he said after. Kisara froze terrified in front of him, shivers going down her spine as her heart rate soured and her eyes broadened. She could have passed out right then and there from the thoughts that were racing through her mind at this revelation if it wasn't for the sight of his intense cobalt eyes that anchored her back to reality.

"It manifests while I am unconscious and uses me as its vessel? Lord Seto, are you saying that...the 'white dragon'...has done things without my knowledge? P-Possibly brought...harm to others?"

Kisara cannot count the number of times she's fallen unconscious while facing cruelty and woken up with no one around. The women has always assumed the others had been satisfied with her treatment and then left. But now...she thinks a much darker truth might have occurred, one that makes her blood go cold as ice...

[shacchou]

The scoff that escaped his lips was impossible to conceal; one laced with disbelief. Out of all things she could say after becoming aware of her own power, her first concern was for everyone else but herself ? The very same ones who had subjected her to unjustified cruelty for no other reason than her physical appearance ? He could not understand it.

The dragon having harmed others ? It was a likelihood that couldn't be entirely discarded. But from what he had witnessed so far, it seemed hardly possible. Self-preservation appeared to not be her priority, meeting hardships and the callousness of those around her with acceptance rather than fear. This explained why she had allowed herself to be stoned without resisting, or why she had not tried to escape from the prisoners' attack at the underground arena.

The dragon had not been released when she was danger, it had done so when she realized he was.

❛  It is unlikely. But if it ever did harm others, it was not undeserved. ❜ Given the facts and what he had seen, if it ever did, the most likely scenario was that she was simply trying to protect someone else. There was, of course, a way to confirm this theory; and it came in the form of his next words.

❛  That moment in the dungeon when you were at the mercy of an attack that would have certainly killed you—- why did you not do anything ? ❜ The paused that followed was brief. ❛  And those citizens, they were no better than wild beasts. Did their treatment of you not incur your anger ? You are concerned about harming others, but had the white dragon manifested then and slaughtered them all, what else would that be if not justice ? ❜

[universestreasures]

"I understand. Thank you again for your charity." She bows deeper then, but no display of gratitude or respect could truly express her feelings. Her heart was damaged just like her body, years upon years of cruelty slowly building up like sand in an hourglass. The only thing she had, the only thing that kept her going and made her will to live strong and bright, was hope. Hope for a better life. Hope for a bright future.

Lord Seto was, in a way, a ray of hope for her. He had saved her from the edge of death on two occasions now, one the day they met and then in the underground arena. He also was the one whose actions led to her learning about the 'white dragon', a beast whose power could potentially do some good for this land and its people.

And so, Kisara has chosen to put her faith and trust in him, her own light of hope that brought her from that darkness that threatened to take her life. Even if she must remain in this secluded cell in the palace, as long as she still sees that hope, she doesn't mind. In fact, here, she at least had a roof over her head and access to food and drink. In a way, being trapped in a cell was better than roaming aimlessly with nothing but suffering to befall her from a world that was unkind to those who were different.

The young woman then raises herself up again, her blue eyes meeting his own. While it was true her body certainly was in need of sustenance, Kisara had long grown used to surviving without much food or drink. There was a more pressing thing on her mind, something she may not have the chance to ask later due to the no-doubt list of duties of the priest.

"If I may my lord, I...I do have a different kind of request I would like to make." Kisara begins by putting a hand over her heart, her voice calm but having a quiet strength behind it that conveys her seriousness. "The Ka inside of me, the 'white dragon'...What is the nature of its power? Is it truly...akin to a god?"

[shacchou]

Her subsequent actions earned his attention, and he watched silently as she raised herself up and searched for his gaze, noticing a sudden determination in her that was promptly translated to words. Her willingness to take him at his word by posing a request was an abrupt development, though he met her actions with an attentive gaze.

The mention of the white dragon elicited a subtle change in the priest's countenance; blue eyes narrowing ever so slightly. He succeeded at keeping his mien bereft of further reaction despite the traces of surprise lurking in his mind at her curiosity and the directness of her inquiries. In hindsight though, her query couldn't truly be considered unexpected, more so considering that she had just recently learned of the existence of the creature that dwelled within her. 

The incident at the underground arena, despite its rocky course, had been a success at allowing him to understand exactly what was in front of him. Not only had he been able to set eyes on the majestic creature and witness its power firsthand, but the nature of it had been revealed. It wasn't just a Ka, but a union of it with her Ba. The white dragon was, to put it simply, her very soul. Even with the power of his millennium item, he could not extract the beast and claim its power without killing its vessel. 

❛  It is. ❜ His response was as direct as her question, for he hadn't a reason to attempt at deceiving her. Silence befell him then, a brief pause that saw him recall Akhenaden's words and those murderous eyes that froze him to his core.

To kill an innocent woman... could he do that ? On his hands was the blood of countless criminals, insignificant scum that deserved nothing less than what they received. Torturing them had been nothing short of entertaining. Such was the law, the way to maintain order and ma'at. But this woman had not committed a crime. Perhaps, even, she had the purest heart he had ever seen. 

❛  Your Ka possesses extraordinary power, comparable only to that of a god. ❜ A worthy adversary to the Pharaoh's gods ? Perhaps so. ❛  The creature uses you as a vessel. It manifests when you are unconscious. This is why you were unaware of its existence. ❜ 

[shacchou]

(From Mokuba, For Valentine's Day )

"Hey, Bro!" The teenager kicks the door to his brother's home office open, his hands tied up with a huge basket full of all the Valentine's chocolate he received from his schoolmates today. It was rather heavy, but he didn't want any help from the staff carrying it in. He wanted to do it all by himself, placing it on the edge of Seto's desk before wiping away his sweat from his forehead.

"Man, my school this year is huge! Guess it was a good idea I switched to Aibo. I never got this much at my old school! I think only Tasuku got more than I did!" Not that Mokuba was surprised with that. Considering it was a Buddyfight focused school, it makes sense Tasuku, a celebrity in the Buddyfighting world, would get so many. People line up to even play with him on a regular basis, after all. What he was more shocked about was that Gao didn't get much at all, considering he is the current world champ. Guess he just wasn't that kind of popular, it seemed. "I know I'm gonna get all your goodies since you usually don't want them, but ... I wanted you to actually have something this year. So, I did a little something for you with some help from Suzuha." Mokuba then grabs a box from his massive pile, a white box with a blue ribbon. He then moves beside his brother, offering it to him. Inside the box were three items. The first was a bag of a dozen chocolate sugar cookies that were heart-shaped and had the words 'I love you, big brother' pained on them with icing. Suzuha did the calligraphy on those, while Mokuba did the other decorations. The second thing, though was something he did all on his own, another one of his craft projects. It was a silver deckbox with a silver emblem of the current Kaiba Corp logo on it, with there being a single card inside of the box. This card was 'Kidmodo Dragon', one of Mokuba's personal favorite cards. It was not a particularly rare card, but it was a card he really loved and wanted his brother to have, a way of having Mokuba be a part of his brother's deck, if he so chose to put it in there.

"Happy Valentine's Day, Seto."

Though subtle, his reaction came in the form of a minuscule lift of one of his brows, partially concealed behind brunet fringe. His perusal of the basket placed in front of him was brief, yet sufficient to assess its contents. Mokuba's subsequent observation was one Seto knew to be true. Since his school enrollment, he could not recall a year where his brother came home empty-handed on Valentine's Day, but the increase of said gifts was more than evident this year. Truth be told, he did not fully understand the younger Kaiba's excitement. After all, his own indifference for whatever confectionary he was given on a day like this was well-known.

Nevertheless, he allowed a somewhat amused breath to escape past his lips. He was his brother; a Kaiba in his own right. Mokuba garnering popularity all by himself was only expected.

Before a word could be said, the younger Kaiba's next words brought him to a pause. Blue eyes instantly moved to look at the box that was offered to him, one of his hands reaching for it to then place it on the desk. The gesture was unforeseen, one that was deemed unnecessary, yet hardly uncharacteristic of his brother. Unlike him, Mokuba seemed to garner some enjoyment out of these celebrations; such being the reason why Seto often went along with whatever the younger Kaiba planned for these specific days.

❛  Your chocolates are in the kitchen. You'll be glad to know Kaiba Corp's employees were especially generous this year, ❜ he spoke. Technically speaking, the confectionaries were his rather than Mokuba's. But he wasn't interested in the celebration as to accept said gifts for himself; something Mokuba was well aware of, as exemplified by the younger Kaiba's words.

❛  I expect you to measure your daily intake. ❜ Despite the warning, Seto hadn't high expectations. There was only little that could get between his brother and his appetite for chocolate. All the same, he wasn't looking forward to having a chocolate fiend with too much sugar in his bloodstream running rampant through hallways of Kaiba Corporation.

He then proceeded to inspect the contents of the box Mokuba had given him, pausing for a moment to examine the bag of cookies, the details of which elicited a shadow of a smile that perched by the corners of his lips. The silver deckbox came next; one that, unsurprisingly, had been made to his exact taste ( undeniably, Mokuba knew him too well ). It was soon followed by the card it contained, one that he knew to be of his brother's favorites. Not quite the type of card one would see in Seto's deck, despite its effect related to dragon-type monsters.

The silence that came next, albeit fleeting, seemed one of contemplation. Soon after, blue eyes focused on the younger Kaiba.

❛  There is something missing, Mokuba, ❜ he paused, the usual austereness of his disposition remaining almost absent from his features that softened some before he spoke again. ❛  You didn't bring my deck. ❜ Surely those words were enough to make his brother understand his intention and prompt him into action. He needn't describe to the younger Kaiba the location of said cards, for they both knew he stored them in the safe in his laboratory, to which only he and Mokuba had access.

[universestreasures]

@shacchou Sent:

❛  You don't ask for a lot. ❜ An observation accompanied by an imperturbable tone that betrayed no immediate emotion; baritone voice resounding through the cold surfaces that encompassed the woman's cell. Not unlike a statue, the priest stood before the iron bars; blue eyes fixed on her, and the Millennium Rod held tightly in his grasp. Since the incident that took place a few days before at the underground arena, he had given the order to his guards to not only move her to a new location unknown to anyone but him, but also to provide her with anything she might ask for or require; food, drink or clothing. And yet, not once had she requested for more than what little was given to her. (Kisara, from Priest Seto)

Following the incident, Kisara had went into yet another string of days where she did nothing but sleep. Her body was under a constant state of pain and discomfort, no doubt in part due to the years of struggle from being deprived of basic necessities. So, rest was often one of the only ways to restore her strength. However, after what she had learned from those of the Pharaoh's palace, there might be another reason for her frequent sleeping state other than because of her deprivation of food and drink.

She had been told she had a monster, otherwise referred to as a Ka, living deep inside her, one akin to a god. Of course, she was hesitant to believe such things. Kisara, despite her unique appearance, was not one to think of herself as noteworthy. She knew her limitations, knew of her fragility, and lived each day simply to survive. She had no purpose other than that...at least maybe until now.

If she harbored such a mighty beast, the 'white dragon' as Lord Seto described, could she potentially use it for the greater good? Despite not being from this land, the young woman was well aware of those like her who struggled daily. Even those who would curse her existence and stone her were in a similar position. They didn't want her to 'curse' them to more anguish than they already had.

But perhaps that 'curse' of hers that seemed to be around her since she was born could be reversed and instead turned into something good, something that can help people come out of the darkness and into the light. Though, there was an obvious hurdle with that. Kisara isn't aware of even how to summon her Ka, let alone control it and use it.

Could she be taught how to do that? Could Lord Seto teach her how to do that?

Her thought of the man who saved her is soon followed by his appearance on the other side of the bars, as if on queue. Kisara slowly stands from her bed, moving towards his direction. At his inquiry, she simply bows her head in respect before answering.

"You have already given me more than enough, Lord Seto." Her voice is soft but laced with no hint of dishonesty. "You are the reason I am still here today, after all. I am eternally grateful to you. Kindness like what you have shown me has been...a scarcity in my life. I only hope I can manage to repay you for it someday."

[shacchou]

She wasn't like anyone he had ever met before. Beyond the uniqueness of her appearance, it was her comportment that proved nothing short of an enigma, especially for one so used to ruthlessness. Kisara's response, though in undeniable harmony with the self-effacing demeanor she had exhibited days prior, managed to confound the priest. But said reaction remained expertly concealed behind a mask of impassiveness and blue eyes that sternly scrutinized her, as if expecting to find, at the very least, a speck of untruthfulness in her words and behavior. An impossible feat, for nothing in her even hinted towards the existence of dishonesty.

The way she chose to describe his own actions was foreign-sounding; kindness wasn't —after all— an attribute of his character, nor a precise way of illustrating her current situation. Could she not see where she was ? A room that, albeit with certain comforts, was no less a cell than any other in the palace. One for which he held the key. She had not a reason to persist with such display of gratefulness.

He paused, his attention momentarily shifting to her pale, thin constitution. The way his eyes narrowed was barely visible. His mind, in the meantime, conjured a vivid image of what had taken place at the underground arena; the imposing presence of the white dragon.

How was it possible for a beast of boundless might to inhabit a frail form like hers ? The white dragon was like nothing he had ever seen before, comparable only to the Pharaoh's gods. For such strength to be in the hands of a woman who possessed such a gentle character... this very fact challenged everything he knew about power.

❛  Gratitude won't replenish your energy. Your body is in a weak state. You should not deprive it of proper sustenance, ❜ he spoke. Perhaps, as he had been told, Kisara did not remember exactly what had transpired after she lost consciousness, but surely she felt the effects that said stress had on her body; the prolonged periods of deep sleep being one of them. ❛  Whenever you have need for food or drink, request it. My guards have orders to comply. ❜