TNDG 4 - ENDGAME

[the_macdonald]

[So you're at the Halloween dance, and maybe you're fighting robots or each other, or maybe you were just hanging out and eating pizza? Either way, there's a new door in the building... or maybe one you simply didn't notice before? It opens, and inside there is a well-lit TV stage, upon which there are several freestanding doors with names of all the surviving participants. A monitor in the corner displays the face of Ronald McDonald.]

All right, kids! Game's over! Thanks to all your tomfoolery, our sponsors pulled out, and we can't even afford prizes. Get on out of here, you little shits!

((Here's your endgame post! The doors will drop off each person where they were kidnapped (or will drop someone else where the person whose name is listed was kidnapped). Say goodbye, yell at the hosts, go back and bob for apples?))

Comments

[blueeyeswaifudragon]

You're talking to the wrong person if you want to be berated for being selfish. If you need the time--if you want the time, you should take it. It really seems like the least you can ask for.

[wantsnudes]

Yes... [He nods, quietly, focusing his attention back on Kaiba.] Then I will. Thank you once again, from the bottom of my heart. I don't know what I would have done, if you were not here.

... Actually, I don't know what any of us would have done. Without you, our escape from that terrible situation wouldn't have been possible.

[blueeyeswaifudragon]

It's possible that without me, that terrible situation never would've happened. You did much more for keeping everyone safe than I did. If you want to praise someone, praise yourself.

[wantsnudes]

Let's settle on calling it a group effort. [There's a weak, sad smile. He's trying to be encouraging.]

Will you take the painting back with you?

[blueeyeswaifudragon]

[he is possibly the worst person for encouraging gestures, but he does consider doing one at least?? easier (for him) to talk about his stuff though:]

Of course. You're not trying to take it back, are you?

[which he probably sounds more distressed about than he'd like, but it's been a long day]

[wantsnudes]

No, not at all. It's yours to do with as you wish.

What I was going to say was that I would not be offended if you left it here, if keeping it would conjure up unpleasant memories for you.

[blueeyeswaifudragon]

It's proof of a shared experience...shared defiance, even if in the end not much came of it. It's proof that somewhere out there, there's someone out there who actually did something, of their own accord, for me. Of course I'd want to hold on to that.

[and then he quirks half a smile]

...Besides, it means my brother won't think I just ditched him to miss out on the monthly shareholders' meeting again.

[wantsnudes]

[Yusuke smiles, a bit more brightly than before.] Shared defiance... I like it.

Then, I'm glad you wish to keep it. Even if we must go our separate ways here, you have a means by which to remember our bond. Nor will I forget you, of course.

[blueeyeswaifudragon]

I am often told I'm unforgettable. Granted, it's usually not for positive reasons, but...

[a beat and then he whips out his deck and sorts through it, pulling out a few cards and offering them to Yusuke:

Hero of Justice Kaibaman
Change of Heart
Return from the Other Dimension]

It's certainly nothing compared to what you've given me. Plus, as they're from my deck, they don't necessarily match a deck built for your tastes. But if nothing else, they're something you can hold onto until I work out a more proper visit.

[wantsnudes]

Oh? Thank you.

[Yusuke takes the cards, peering at them curiously. Of course, he's more interested in the artwork and the general design of each card more than what they actually do.]

This one looks like you... Is that a coincidence? [He holds up the Kaibaman card.]

[blueeyeswaifudragon]

[shrugs, doing an admirable job at not looking particularly embarrassed about having a sentai self-insert]

I can't imagine many people calling me an ally of justice. But I can't say it doesn't serve as decent shorthand.

[wantsnudes]

I would say that you've done plenty that could be considered heroic here.

[Yusuke takes another look at the cards, before tucking them into a pocket inside his jacket for safekeeping.]

I may not be familiar with the card game or its rules, but I will treasure these.

[blueeyeswaifudragon]

[from his expression it is obvious he does not agree with that first statement, but he doesn't try to challenge this time]

...I'm sorry that it's not as personal. However, I get the feeling that you wouldn't have much use for some app or computer program.

[wantsnudes]

No, these are wonderful. I can see the thought you've put into choosing each of them... The fact they're from you imbues them with value alone.

[And Yusuke is nerd enough to think Kaiba's self-insert OC is actually pretty cool, all things considered.]

Ah, but you're correct that I'm not very good with computers. A gift I can keep and admire for myself is far better.

[blueeyeswaifudragon]

Well... Good. I'm...glad you like it.

[which he really is, he's just not used to caring about what other people think]

...It's hard to believe it's only been a few days. It feels like it's been a lot longer.

[wantsnudes]

Yes, it's been quite exhausting. I'm sure your brother will be glad to see you returned safely.

[blueeyeswaifudragon]

...I'll be glad to see him.

[ever-so-slightly hesitant]

Someone must be waiting for you as well.

[wantsnudes]

Of course. I'm sure my friends will have been worried about Haru and I.

[blueeyeswaifudragon]

...

[kind of awkwardly pats him on the shoulder]

[wantsnudes]

[Places his hand on Kaiba's.]

I'll be all right, so please don't worry about me.

[blueeyeswaifudragon]

[he'll, uh, leave it there, then]

I'm sure you'll be fine. Still, I'll worry about what I like. Deal with it.

[wantsnudes]

A-all right then...?

[Why is Kaiba so aggressive about everything, even when he's being considerate... Yusuke lets him have his hand back, at least.]

[blueeyeswaifudragon]

[Hesitates--why is everything about not actively being an ass so difficult--then nods]

Good.

[Is it actually "good"? Either way, he'll squeeze reassuringly(?) before retrieving his hand, that's a thing normal humans do, right?]

[wantsnudes]

[Yusuke's not a normal human by any stretch of the imagination, so don't ask him??? He doesn't seem to mind the contact either way, though.]

What did you mean earlier, when you said you would arrange a proper visit...? We're all from such disparate times and places, there's no guarantee such a thing would be possible.

[blueeyeswaifudragon]

[he brightens, better at actions than feelings and feeling-adjacent actions, surprising absolutely no one]

Of course it's possible. Tokyo is a real city; it's easy enough for me to visit. And even if you aren't in my Tokyo... We all got here, didn't we? So "dimension hopping," or whatever you want to call it, has to be possible. If some idiot food vendors can figure it out, I can certainly figure it out.

Hey, you have a phone, don't you?