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

[you_like_ike]

...I... don't know. I want to start by travelling far by whatever means available, even if only on foot.

I don't know what I'll see out there. But perhaps our countries are connected somehow.

[Idly rubs his palm.]

[blueeyeswaifudragon]

Perhaps.

[which is not the "no" his years of geography have taught him, but a) he figures Ike can charm space/time into doing what he wants anyway, and b) he's kinda distracted? his hand twitches; he'd think he'd be used to physical contact by now but it still feels like the floor's dropped out beneath him. he swallows, keeping his voice even, if a little rough]

What are you doing.

[you_like_ike]

...I don't know.

[He says again, raising Kaiba's hand and pressing his warm cheek against the palm and holding it there. And Ike manages to stop glaring or looking lost for the moment. He's actually smiling slightly.]

[blueeyeswaifudragon]

[Kaiba is all set to make some dickish remark and finally get things back to status quo since both of them have things to do and lives to lead, but instead Ike is smiling at him and his hand is large and warm, and Kaiba gives a tentative smile back, despite himself. Man, he's bad at this.]

...We should probably go. This--

[and here he strokes a thumb over Ike's cheekbone]

--won't make things any easier later.

[you_like_ike]

...Alright.

[Doesn't move for a long moment, and his eyes even close when that thumb strokes on his skin. Then he finally takes a deep breath, like he needs to steel himself for any further movement, and releases his hand.]

[Ike climbs off of Kaiba, then takes his arms and easily pulls him to his feet.]

[blueeyeswaifudragon]

[He's relieved to find he can keep his footing after being pulled up, and after taking a moment to bow his head and straighten his clothing, he looks back at Ike, game face back on. Save for maintaining less of a personal space bubble than before, it's as if nothing happened at all, just your average teen CEO who at no point was trying to dry hump an rpg hero in a dress, yep]

So. Ah. You mentioned things were pretty busy back home. How much longer is your mercenary gig supposed to take?

[you_like_ike]

[Looks him up and down for a moment, making totally sure he didn't get hurt in that tumble off the stage. Then Ike climbs back up it himself, and yanks Ragnell up from the floorboard it was stuck in.]

I can't really say. Cleaning up skirmishes in the wake of the war could take at least a year. And I'm not ready to give up command of my father's mercenary troop quite yet... I've been training to inherit it for years before.

...But I'd rather eat my own fist than be pulled into the responsibilities of being made lord or general again if another war happens to break out.

[blueeyeswaifudragon]

[saving that mental image for later]

...I don't suppose you can beg out of the draft by enrolling in school or anything. Though I didn't really see you as the type to leave your countrymen if a war broke out.

[you_like_ike]

They have a way of removing my decision power in it. And at the same time demanding I accept peerage in order to utilize that command.

[Reaches down the stage, offering Kaiba a hand to pull him up there with him.]

[blueeyeswaifudragon]

Ah... I think I understand. My stepfather tried a power play like that with me when I turned fifteen. You're right to stay out of it.

[...takes his hand, stepping up]

[you_like_ike]

I try to. Yet there I am at the center of it.

[Puts Ragnell back over his shoulder and looks out over to the doors.]

Still. We have to go back.

[blueeyeswaifudragon]

No matter how tempting it is to just give up, you've still got a job to do. You can't lose to some idiot bureaucrats. Put them in their place, instead.

[you_like_ike]

...Yeah. There's a few senators I'd sure like to put in their places. It's the people I've grown fond of who insist I lead their armies.

I wouldn't mind working for someone like you.

[blueeyeswaifudragon]

[raises an eyebrow]

Are you sure? I expect a lot of my employees. I'd work you pretty hard.

[you_like_ike]

You could work me as hard as you want. I don't like slacking off.

[blueeyeswaifudragon]

Ready to rise to the occasion, are you? Good to know. Maybe someday we'll have the chance to find out. It wouldn't hurt to have someone strong and versatile on my team. When you're ready, I mean.

[you_like_ike]

[Looks down at the floor for a moment. Then steps closer and glances up at Kaiba, sort of looking through his bangs. His hair's a lot more in his face since his bandana seems to have disappeared in all that earlier nonsense.]

Are you okay with waiting?

[blueeyeswaifudragon]

[where could it ever have gone, it is a mystery???]

...My brother says learning some patience could serve me well.

[he gives a wry little smirk before his tone turns serious]

Don't worry about something like that. You should live how you want as much as you can. Let the rest work itself out around you. That's my philosophy.

[you_like_ike]

That's... really not a bad way to live.

...

Then... I suppose it's time to part ways.

[Doesn't move, though.]

[blueeyeswaifudragon]

...

[then sighs, gentle]

Go on, Chunk. Your people are waiting.

[you_like_ike]

[Steps back from him. Gives a wave.]

...Goodbye, Kaiba.

[blueeyeswaifudragon]

[nods acknowledgement, arms crossed and hip cocked, as one does]

Try not to attack too much wildlife. Or at least, make sure you win.

[you_like_ike]

[Nods, and turns to go. He doesn't dramatically step through a door, but instead goes to join his friends so they can all leave at the same time.]