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Post by Firebreath Fishslap on May 30, 2010 0:32:35 GMT -5
Minato hadn't seen Atem coming any more than Atem had seen him there. The result had been that both of them had landed rather roughly on the ground after running into each other, as well as an entire rack of CDs that Jounouchi had run into after the two had run into each other.
Minato recovered first, looking over at Atem and blinking rather rapidly. "Atem? What are you doing here?!"
Souji had jumped as Minato and Atem ran into each other, moving rather swiftly over to where the two of them were now on the ground.
"Are you two alright?" Souji asked. Minato nodded.
"Yeah, I'm fine," Minato said, slowly getting to his feet as he said so.
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Post by mugenginga on May 30, 2010 0:40:20 GMT -5
Back in the TV World, Yuugi had let out a sigh and lifted a hand to go through the television. He paused and his eyes widened as the reverse view allowed him to see Atem and Minato crash into each other. It was a widescreen television on the other side, and while the size of the televisions that Teddie created forced the image to be compressed, the range of view was the same as the range of the exit in question. A thought occurred to him as the sound of crashing was transmitted to him, albeit muted.
"Teddie, remove the televisions!"
Teddie blinked in surprise at the sudden order. He leaned over to look at what was causing Yuugi to panic. The move put him off balance, and he managed to fall to the side. However, he managed to get the focus out to cause the televisions to blink out of existance just as he hit the ground. The angle meant it was from the side, and he didn't bounce right back up. Yuugi winced as he hit and leaned down to try and help the bear up.
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Atem pushed himself up into a wobbling position. It looked like the fall had hurt, but he also looked more than a bit focused on something other than his own pain. He shook his head as Minato asked if he was alright. The two got to their feet around the same time.
"I was coming to help Partner and Anzu," he said.
The former Pharaoh stopped with his mouth open, ready to explain more, when he heard footsteps. At this point the television still had its characteristic black and white ripples. He tensed up and jerked his head towards the footsteps. Jounouchi was muttering about how no one seemed to be concerned about him under his breath, seemingly unaware of the new sound. Anzu looked mildly broken, but at Atem's surprised reaction snapped her out of it and she looked towards the television in worry. She had caught what was wrong, and if someone saw the television screen doing that...
"Hey, are you alright!?"
It was just as the store employee ran up to the group that the ripples suddenly stopped, the screen returning to its normal display. Half a second longer, and the sales assistant would have likely seen the odd display. However, he hadn't. It did bring up some worry about the two remaining on the other side, though...
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Post by Firebreath Fishslap on May 30, 2010 0:51:45 GMT -5
Souji caught Anzu's worried expression, and had been about to reassure her when the sales associate came over and asked if Minato and Atem were okay. However, Souji seemed to be worried too as he realized what the real problem was once the ripples disappeared from the TV. Yuugi and Teddie still hadn't come out yet.
"We're fine, thanks," Minato said, trying to get the sales associate away. There wasn't any need for anyone to overhear this particular conversation. Once he managed to chase the employee away, he turned toward Atem.
"...About that. We're... actually heading back to the apartments now," Minato said.
"...Why haven't Yuugi and Teddie come through yet?" Souji asked, still looking over at the TVs. The fact that the ripples had disappeared meant that the portal through had closed... which meant something was wrong. He looked over at Atem. Had Atem's appearance caused Yuugi to decide not to come through? The two of them were on pretty bad terms right now... It was plausible.
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Post by mugenginga on May 30, 2010 1:05:52 GMT -5
The associate had looked at Atem and Jounouchi as well. Atem had given a nod to confirm what Minato had said. So the full focus was turned to Jounouchi, who was rubbing his arm. He looked up when he realized now everyone was looking at him. He gave a dismissing wave to the employee. The man didn't seem to believe the teenagers, but he gave it up and walked away. Jounouchi turned to Minato and realized the guy looked like someone had killed his dog.
Atem looked at the television, remembering the way it broadcast before. He looked at it with a worried expression, but seemed to shake some thoughts away, "Partner isn't stupid. He may have realized someone was coming."
Jounouchi was rotating his shoulder, ignoring the CDs on the ground, "What's with that, by the way? That Partner stuff? I got it when you two were sharing a body, but..."
"It's not important."
"Atem-kun, you don't need to be curt. It was just a question. He doesn't call you his other self anymore, after all..." Atem's expression was hard to read. It seemed a bit flat as Anzu turned back towards the television, "If there's a reason for the delay, he'll be out soon, right...?"
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"What was that about...?"
"That noise. Someone would have come. Are you going to be alright, Teddie-kun...?"
"I said I'd be fine!" Teddie felt bad as soon as he saw Yuugi's expression, "...I have to be."
"You shouldn't force yourself. K1-kun will help us, we'll just have to ask," Yuugi stated. He gave a nervous look towards the television. He honestly didn't know how long they should wait, and with the size of their group not everyone would be able to stand in the camera's blind spot.
"Sensei doesn't like him..."
Yuugi gave a pained expression, "He's been having issues since he became the King of Bel. You never... you only met him right before he left. He's a really good person. He did what he did to help people."
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"Teddie-ku... Teddie-san can make that portal, right? Shouldn't they be out by now?"
A worrisome thought had crossed Anzu's mind. But she didn't want to say it. Not in front of his friends. Besides, it was true she didn't really know the situation. His behavior had clearly been odd. Although thinking back, hadn't it been pretty much said Teddie was a Shadow. She frowned in worry. It was clear she didn't understand the situation. How many different things could Shadows be? Was only one kind really dangerous?
"I don't like this... Anzu's right. And we can't just go after them. You were in Bakura's reality, right? So there'd be no way to find them if we just went through..." Atem clenched his fists, "There has to be a way to tell him its clear. He might be waiting just to be sure."
"Yuugi's not defenseless, y'kno-"
"I know that!" Atem shouted at Jounouchi.
The taller teenager blinked in surprise. He then narrowed his eyes and took a step towards Atem. The former Pharaoh didn't look the least intimidated by the height difference, "Don't make me knock sense into you! There is no way in hell you can blame yourself for it this time! And its not like his soul is trapped by some fucked up game!"
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Post by Firebreath Fishslap on May 30, 2010 1:57:03 GMT -5
Souji had been about to speak when things suddenly escalated between Atem and Jounouchi. Minato seemed to have an idea what was going to happen, but Souji ended up moving faster than Minato did, jumping in between Jounouchi and Atem.
"Hey! Calm down, both of you!" Souji yelled. He was looking more toward Atem with that statement, but it referred to Jounouchi as well. "I'm sure they're fine, so both of you need to calm down. We don't need to be beating anyone up right now, okay? Save it for when we get out of the mall."
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Post by mugenginga on May 30, 2010 8:25:23 GMT -5
Jounouchi and Atem both widened their eyes as Souji pretty much leapt between them. The similarity of reaction was a bit amusing, although Jounochi's was quite a bit more animated. They both seemed more than a bit disgusted, but they also both seemed to realize they were in the wrong. Jounouchi let out an exaggerated sigh, and Atem turned away from the group at large.
"I apologize," Atem stated. It sounded more like he was speaking out of some kind of diplomatic requirement than sincerity.
"Man, you've always been crazy when it comes to Yuugi. Worse than any of us, but I thought it was cause you shared his body... He'll be okay, alright?" Jounouchi stated.
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"I don't want to not trust him. But Sensei doesn't like him!"
"...I know. But he really is a good person."
"We should really get out of here, Yuugi-kun," Teddie stated.
Yuugi looked towards where the televisions had been. He was pretty sure someone would come to investigate the noise. The crowd even, their group wasn't small. But Atem was there, and despite problems he'd managed to cause between themselves, he was confident the former Pharaoh would have things under control quickly. He nodded to Teddie.
"You're right. I'm sorry about before, there was someone there. Even with how used to oddities the island is..."
Teddie didn't say anything. He turned to where the televisions had been and in a puff they were there again. He gestured to Yuugi, who gave a kind smile and climbed through the television. Teddie went in right after him.
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Yuugi came out with about as much grace as any of their group could. Atem jerked his head up as soon as his feet impacted and slipped past those in his way. Yuugi gave a rather large smile for the situation lately and it faded to a small kind one as Atem put his hands on his shoulders and looked into his eyes.
"Are you okay, Partner?"
"I'm fine, Atem! Really! I just had Teddie close the connection because of the noise! Jounouchi-kun, are you alright?" Yuugi had leaned to the side to look at Jounouchi. Atem loosened his grip to allow it.
"I've had worse," Jounouchi winked and gave a thumbs up, "Not exactly proud of it, but I was in a gang. CDs got nothing on turf wars."
Yuugi gave a lighthearted chuckle at Jounouchi's reference to his past. Anzu looked towards the still rippling television in time for Teddie to come out. By now the area was more than a bit crowded. There was seven of them there, and in mascot form Teddie filled up the space of two. The sheer size of their group meant they blocked off two and a half aisles. Atem looked towards the television for a moment and looked towards Souji with serious eyes.
"What happened?"
Jounouchi had said they'd gone off to rescue Bakura. There was no sign of Bakura, and the ripples had just faded from the television. Meaning something had to have prevented his rescue while they were in there. Given the impending rain, it had to have been pretty severe. He hadn't missed Minato's exhaustion, but Souji functioned as sort of a leader while in the TV World. Besides, he honestly seemed like he'd have the best idea what was going on.
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Post by Firebreath Fishslap on May 30, 2010 22:32:21 GMT -5
Souji and Minato both turned as Atem slipped past them to go over to Yuugi. It was only at this point Souji realized he was still wearing his glasses and slipped them off, placing them back in his jacket. When Atem asked what had happened, Souji looked a bit nervous. He looked over at Teddie for a moment before looking back at Atem.
"With the current weather, the Shadows were getting agitated... and this included Teddie," Souji explained. "If it had just been Teddie, we might have been able to keep going, but... we had an encounter with Nyarlathotep, the demon Abel sent to tail me. He did... something to Minato that forced his Shadow to emerge. Just long enough for it to say one sentence, but it left Minato too exhausted to continue. It was safer to head back."
Minato buried his head in the scarf at the comment about that. The probably would have been able to keep going if he hadn't been so rash. It wasn't any use worrying about that now, but it was still something on his mind. Really, though, he just wanted to lie down. He really was exhausted.
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Post by mugenginga on May 30, 2010 22:55:53 GMT -5
"Nyaa-whatsit?" Jounouchi blinked.
"Later, Jounouchi-kun," Anzu said out of the corner of her mouth, her focus clearly still on the group. Jounouchi returned it with a strange look. Anzu seemed really rattled.
"He's still trailing you? Under Abel's orders?" Atem said.
"That's what he said," Yuugi stated, looking towards Minato and trying to give silent comfort to the blue haired teenager.
"Partner, give me the COMP," Atem stated. It sounded a bit like an order.
"...Atem?"
"COMP?" Jounouchi said.
Anzu had worked her way over to Jounouchi by this point, "Jounouchi-kun, shut up!"
"Atem, there's no need to be rude to him!" Yuugi took a step back, bumping into Teddie.
Atem sighed, "I have no intentions of it. Partner, whether I am any longer or not, I once ruled a country. Whether I approve of his actions or not, Abel currently rules a species. And from what has been said and what I know of Nyarlathotep, he's dealing with a potential usurper. You say I need to trust him, then let me do that. Let me trust him to deal with the situation in the way most suitable."
Jounouchi's eyes had gotten wide as Atem spoke. There was a tone of voice there... he sounded like a ruler. He'd seen Atem use it before, when he was talking to Zorc. This one was kinder though, but still serious. In a way, it reminded Jounouchi of when Atem dueled a friend. Like that one time after Battle City. At that thought he gave a smile. Atem had won that, but he had put up a good fight. There was definite care here.
Anzu was staring at well, and for a similar reason. They'd both seen Atem go into this kind of mode before, but it was different. She'd never seen Atem quite like this, it seemed kinder. She hadn't been present when Atem had Dueled Jounouchi. It was kind of similar to when he was protecting someone, but there was a difference. Was it the direct interaction?
"Atem...." Yuugi looked away for a moment. It was probably about the time someone was going to say something when he dug the gold machine out of his pocket and handed it to Atem, "Alright."
"Maaan, this group is depressing," Jounouchi rolled his eyes and stretched his hands up.
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Post by Firebreath Fishslap on May 30, 2010 23:34:37 GMT -5
Minato didn't acknowledge Yuugi's expression as he attempted to comfort him. Really, he just wished they'd go home already. It was pretty clear to Souji that Minato had fallen back into the same depression they had finally managed to get him out of a few days ago. When Atem ordered Yuugi to give him the COMP, Souji worried for a moment that the situation was going to go south, but as Atem explained himself, he relaxed a bit. Atem was actually worried about Abel a bit, even with everything Abel had done. He was probably more worried about the prospect of the new King of Bel being a demon like Nyarlathotep, but there had to be some concern for K1 in there, too.
He looked over at Jounouchi as he stated that the current group was depressing. "You'd be depressed too with everything that's been going on with us in the past week," he said, and then went back to observing the current situation.
Minato was still really just waiting for the others to leave so he could head back to his apartment. Most likely he was going to pass out the moment he made it back to his bedroom.
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