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]

[nods]

If they can't figure it out on their own, I am certainly not going to give them any clues.

Though I am curious. Is that something you two do often?

[wantsnudes]

Yes. I was active with the Phantom Thieves for close to a year, until we achieved our goal just recently. I never expected I would need to fight again so soon...

As for Akechi, he is something of a special case in relation to the Phantom Thieves. But that in itself is a long story. [And not really his to tell, when Akechi is here himself.] I suppose the simplest way to explain is that he is an ally, even if he never formally joined us.

[blueeyeswaifudragon]

[nods]

So, with your goal achieved...what? You just go back to school? Pick back up a "normal" life?

[wantsnudes]

I always had to keep up the facade of a normal life, even during my thief activities. But yes, now that's all over and done with, I've resumed simply being a student of art.

... With all that's happened here, however, I would like to do what I can to bring these people to justice. Either in my capacity as a Phantom Thief, or through ordinary means... I can't let a teammate go unavenged.

[blueeyeswaifudragon]

That's true. I was wondering if it would be difficult to go back to more mundane pursuits. But you're right, you don't have to. You've still something worth fighting for.

[wantsnudes]

Yes. Even with my original goal accomplished, that doesn't mean I'll ever stand idly by, so long as there are wicked adults willing to hurt and destroy the lives of others.

All I can do for now is return home. But eventually, they will rue the day they made an enemy of me.

[blueeyeswaifudragon]

I believe it. And you're not alone in this effort, either. No matter how long it takes...

[wantsnudes]

Thank you, Seto. I'm glad I can count on you.

[blueeyeswaifudragon]

I can't imagine you wouldn't have plenty of people to count on, being the man that you are. But...in this case I don't mind being one of many.

[wantsnudes]

Even still, every ally of the Phantom Thieves is crucial. And to have the support of a dear friend... That would mean the world to me.

[blueeyeswaifudragon]

[looks away, toying with his locket]

...Well, it's yours.

[wantsnudes]

Then, I'll ensure my teammates and I do all that we can, to live up to the faith you're placing in us.

[Talking about angry revenge plots seems like a little bit of a sour note to leave off on, though, so...]

...I'd like to go for a walk outside to clear my head, before I leave. Do you wish to join me?

[blueeyeswaifudragon]

Alright. I'm not in that much of a hurry to leave. Some fresh air--or as close as this place comes--wouldn't be unwelcome.

[wantsnudes]

[Yusuke leads him outside, and unlike their previous outing, he's not about to get distracted and wander off this time. He does, however, come across an old stone bench, where he takes a seat, expression quietly contemplative.]

It's become so peaceful out here...

[blueeyeswaifudragon]

[settles beside him]

It's hard to believe, after the earlier craziness. I guess it doesn't take long for some changes to happen.

[wantsnudes]

Even the most furious of storms passes back into calmness in the end, I suppose.

...This is going to sound absurd, but... part of me wishes I could have experienced the original purpose of this game, without anyone being hurt or forced to be here.

[You know, dating people??? That thing.]

[blueeyeswaifudragon]

I am fairly certain that at least someone being hurt or forced to be here was the original purpose of the game...

[then, not cruelly]

You're that keen on meeting a potential mate?

[wantsnudes]

It's not something I've thought about before this game, at least not for myself. Until recently I've lived a very sheltered life, and have always seen matters of the heart as distant objects of study... If I could represent concepts like pure love in a beautiful way, that was enough for me.

But superficial imitations aren't enough. Paintings like those will never capture any true essence of what it seeks to depict. If I could experience such feelings for myself... and if another person experienced such profound emotions for me in return... I'm sure I could finally capture that in my art.

[Gaze downcast, he finally looks up at Kaiba.] In other words, to improve my art, I must also grow as a person. Does that make sense?

[blueeyeswaifudragon]

[considers, nodding]

It makes sense. If the purpose of your art is to put part of yourself on the page, you'd want to have as many experiences as possible to draw on, correct? Though...I wonder that a bunch of frivolous games would really be what you're looking for. If you just wanted to experience some ridiculous things, we've already started down that path.

[wantsnudes]

No, I suppose these games aren't what I'm looking for at all. Just the experience of being with someone who is dear to me, in a way that goes beyond friendship... That's what "dating" is really about, isn't it?

[blueeyeswaifudragon]

[frowns, but is actually giving the idea consideration]

I suppose? I've never really put much thought into it. ...Growing up, I wasn't really encouraged to trust others, and that's important in that sort of relationship, isn't it?

[wantsnudes]

But there are people you trust, aren't there? People like myself.

[Then he realises how that sounds, and his cheeks tinge pink.]

Ah-- but I-- I don't mean to assume anything about your feelings. What I mean to say is, your upbringing doesn't have to decide how you relate to others now.

[blueeyeswaifudragon]

...You have a point.

[he doesn't specify which statement he's agreeing with, though his ears grow warm. slowly he continues]

I guess some personal growth could be useful for us both.

[wantsnudes]

Seto...?

[Is he implying anything by that statement, or just speaking in general terms? Yusuke's almost afraid to ask, though he does blush a shade deeper than before.]

[blueeyeswaifudragon]

Yusuke.

[Then he hesitates; looks to Yusuke's mouth, then his eyes, then down and away. He starts over, tone soft and careful]

...I don't usually deal with the subtleties of an artist, I deal with the black and white of code. If there's something you'd ask of me, you should probably spit it out.