mansions | (no subject)

(no subject)

*she hasn't been able to find ryoko in her room since she met that other kaiser, and it agitates her; both because what she's learned is troubling and she would REALLY like some answers, and because ryoko normally isn't all that hard to find if you know where to look, so it's worrying that she has no idea how to find her, right now.

she's feeling slightly lost and frustrated, and she doesn't like it at all.

but for the moment, she's just in a random room with the door ajar, trying to decide what the hell to do next.*

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...for now.

I don't know how much longer I have. There's...still something there.

[She sounds just a little bit dead.]

Ryoko--

*mmmgh. that's just a LITTLE heartbreaking (that's a lie it's a lot)*

It's not invincible. You can break free of it.

*she reaches up to cup ryoko's face in her hand, determined and upset and a little bit afraid*

You're not really going to let it control you, are you?

[For a moment, she seems determined, she draws herself up, but...]

...I fought it, before. Won.

It...got to me again.

[She folds her arms a little tighter than she needs to.]

Or. Saiou did.

*mmmmph*

This isn't how I wanted to talk to you, dammit...

Well, it doesn't matter. I just won't let it get near you again.

*i'm TUFF no i'm sad and small but i'll still protect u sort-of-girlfriend :'(*

[...it reassures her more than it should, and she lets her hand drift to the back of Ed's.]

...you wanted to talk to me?

[She sounds...well, less dead, at least.]

*oh...*

...Yes, but... I'm not sure I should bother you with it when you're like this.

It might help clear my head.

[She looks down at her side, seeming almost to notice it for the first time.]

...but we should probably take care of this.

...I doubt it.

*...right. she jumps to her feet*

I think I saw some first aid supplies in the connected bathroom. I don't think you should move right now.

*strides off quickly, but returns soon enough with the first aid kit. she will have Words to say if ryoko's tried to move around >8[*

[SHE HAS MOVED but only enough to get her coat off and pull up her dress enough to expose the wound. It's not huge but it's certainly not a paper cut.]

...do you think there's a way to purge the rest?

*she busies herself with the wound and TRIES not to look as miserable as she feels :[*

...Juudai could do it. I don't exactly have a good track record with it...

But we'll figure something out.

*DETERMINATION*

[...she grins slowly.]

Maybe we should duel.

That seems to be how this works.

[The idea seems to put some of the spark back in her. Figuratively speaking.]

...If you like.

*she seems a lot less enthused about it :( when she finishes patching up the wound, she stays bowed over it for a moment longer, unwilling to look up at ryoko

but after a long pause, she draws a tense breath*

...Hey. Ryoko. Could you tell me about the underground?

[...suddenly, the threat of the Light seems less important.

She stares at Ed for a moment, drawing a sharp breath.]

...who told you about that.

Another you. He--

*gggggh*

...He kept talking about. Being a dog, or a... pet.

[It's telling, that she doesn't immediately recoil from the idea, doesn't say it's impossible.]

...he must have gone in deeper.

Or hitchhiked out.

Edited 2013-10-04 21:25 (UTC)

*...she notices that

she tries, but probably fails badly, to not look as upset about it as she feels*

Deeper than you?

Yes.

[She turns a little so she's staring at the wall, not quite able to look at Ed.]

I clawed my way out before I lost all of myself to it.

How much did he tell you?

*...leans against her, not looking at her either*

That you got into underground dueling when you lost your sponsors.

That you... earned "Hell Kaiserin" there.

...That he escaped. By being bought.

*sounds kind of sick by the end of that*

...all of it's true. Except the last part.

My promoter was too invested in me to sell me.

[She laughs without the slightest trace of humor.]

I got to kick him into the dirt.

What does that mean. "Invested" in you.

[...she seems to think for a moment before she responds.]

...I was a good duelist. Popular. He wouldn't give that profit up so easily.

[Her face has smoothed over to its usual neutral expression rather than the bitter smile of before.]

He said people lost interest. That the popularity didn't last.

*not so much accusing as.. reluctant, but unable to stop pushing :s*

Maybe that's true in his world. Not mine.

[...that much, at least, is true. It's just not the whole story.]

Or maybe that's why he moved me back to the Leagues in the end.

*pulls her knees up |[*

...Is that all there is to it?

...

...

[There's the smile again.]

Of course it isn't.

[She's staring at the wall, eyes focused nowhere.]

I suppose you were bound to learn eventually. How weak I was.