Monkey's Paw

The tears are wiped away as he listens to Kaiba. It was reasonable for him not to seek them out until he returned from his dimension trip he supposed. Now that he experienced how dimension jumping was, Ryou could see why Kaiba seeked him out. They weren’t easy to do, even with Kaiba’s technology. Ryou also had the benefit of having Kaiba’s technology being more advanced than Kaiba’s initial jump. God only knows how much strain and agony he suffered just to see that cursed King again. The small amount of pain he suffered was nothing compared to what the CEO felt. At least from their conversations together.

It still felt bitter however. Even with knowing the reality of the situation it still hurt Ryou that they were together. While he stood alone for the past three years, nursing this unholy agony in his body. Ryou clenches his fist as he thinks of this though they become unclenced when he hears Kaiba’s proposal.

“Because you two keep dancing around each other–which I get why now but–look, I’m rubbish with this kind of thing,” he waved his hand vaguely in the air but what he meant was interpersonal conflicts and emotions.

“But you should hear what he has to say himself. Then…”

He wouldn’t expect things to be fine after that but whatever would occur would have to be better than what was going on right now.

“Maybe you two could at least not wreck my building. If you’ll allow me to, don’t say a word until it’s over, alright?”

So he grabs Seto's arm again. “I.. have a small theory if you're willing to hear me out first. Then… then you can call him in.” 

If Pegasus or someone had taken his sister he would’ve done the same thing. He probably would’ve gone further than what Kaiba did if truth be told. Kaiba was rather kind, too kind for the crime Pegasus committed. But that was just his humble opinion.

"I think you shouldn’t concern yourself with what others think.”

Damn, that didn’t come out like he wanted.

“In a way, yes. But it also gives them an out to make me a villain.” Tears get scrubbed away with the back of his hand. “You find peace in solitude. But I don't, not after having that ghost in me for so long.”

He stifles a laugh. “It's funny really. He actively tried to get rid of me, fooled me into his plans. Bakura even harmed me physically and only crawled back to me when he didn't have any way of winning. But…” Violet eyes come up to look at the CEO. A painful smile was on his face as he said these words.

First replies were slow due to familial issues and now replies will be slow due to a surgery that if all goes well, will take place Wednesday, October 25th.

Unlike the previous surgery, this one the doctors are definitely sure I won't recover fast due to the nature dealing with delicate bits in the body. So for that reason I'll be slow if not in a semi-haitus.

And unlike the family stuff this is something I have been anticipating and prepping for. I'm fairly excited for it. It's not a life saving surgery but it is life changing so that'll be fun.

So he starts. Just like how he told Diva when he politely reminded him of his past, Ryou starts with his father running off to Egypt and Ryou having a bad feeling about it. How his father tried to gain a moment of happiness only for Ryou to become the bearer of the Ring. “The Ring rejected my father and he died from the injuries. But the Ring loved me. I was the master it was waiting for.”

The Ring.. no. Ryou, let it run amuck and cause destruction. Rightfully earning Diva’s wrath. “I did feel sorry for my actions. I still do. But Diva didn’t let it slide. He wanted to punish me.” So he was thrown into some dimension away from where humanity was meant to be. A sandy plane of existence where he met him again.

Though that was a secret to Diva, and now to Kaiba too. Ryou kept that little tidbit to himself. “The rest you know. you and Yugi saved the day, Diva gets to live his life happy and free. And I’m.. here. Suffering for all of your actions.”

He closes his eyes for a moment. “You said you didn’t know what happened to him. You liar. But I’m sure you have your reasons.” Like how Ryou kept being a bully towards the man. Oh how he hated how he was living a happy life. While Ryou still struggled along.

“Bad things happen to good people. And sometimes good things happen to bad people. The world is not as just as we’d like it to be.”

He reaches for the box of tissues and offers them to Ryou.

“I didn’t know at first. Him and his crew hit the road fast. The cube was left behind though, so I found little use in trying to track them down after their power had been taken. It wasn’t until my own… predicament that I sought their location out. Diva and his siblings had made it back to Egypt. In a cramped little place trying to live as normal of a life as they could without getting noticed by any sort of government that may want to arrest them–or perhaps maybe they were mostly hiding from me.”

Ha. Who was to say, really?

“He’s kept much of his thoughts on this matter to himself around me but…” Seto sighs. He was not qualified for this. He was no conflict counselor, he was horrible with emotions he–maybe he should just show Ryou.

The tears are wiped away as he listens to Kaiba. It was reasonable for him not to seek them out until he returned from his dimension trip he supposed. Now that he experienced how dimension jumping was, Ryou could see why Kaiba seeked him out. They weren't easy to do, even with Kaiba's technology. Ryou also had the benefit of having Kaiba's technology being more advanced than Kaiba's initial jump. God only knows how much strain and agony he suffered just to see that cursed King again. The small amount of pain he suffered was nothing compared to what the CEO felt. At least from their conversations together.

It still felt bitter however. Even with knowing the reality of the situation it still hurt Ryou that they were together. While he stood alone for the past three years, nursing this unholy agony in his body. Ryou clenches his fist as he thinks of this though they become unclenced when he hears Kaiba's proposal.

Soul Hunter

A set of bills flicked across the oak desk, stopping short of the photographer fingers. His generous proprietor sat back, into his equally rich oak chair, the polished leather sighing across his wool vest. ".....Follow him. I want to know his every move." He ordered deeply through his fingers with a gaze that was streaked with a hint of bloodlust.