【 名もなき 】

     Here goes nothing. Yuugi Mutou, famous mangaka and game loving dork, adds something new to his current manga he is working on. His first ever manga that got him on the map was about this character, the protagonist, being a able to jump into another characters world. He’s put his character into super hero comics, into other manga’s and so much more. Other mangaka’s and artists were so excited to collaborate and have his character come into their world too. It was fun. Tonight though, while working on a new page, he decides to change it up. Instead of jumping to another fictional world, he decides to have his character jump to the real world. Basically, he was going to make an entire side story of his character meeting him. He pauses, glances at the clock and winces, five am already? He really had to go grocery shopping and run some errands tomorrow so he sighs and comes to a stop for tonight. He’d finish it tomorrow then, or rather, later today. He’d stopped with the portal opening in his hometowns portal.

       Little did he know….A portal actually opened in said park and out comes a person…His character. He’s too busy sleeping to notice and he only finds out when he wakes up. Errands are tossed out the window as he instead goes to the park because his curiosity is piqued. It was a huge coincidence! It had to be. There was no way fiction became a reality. But, lo and behold, there stands his character, near the portal. Their eyes meet and he sucks in a breath.

“No way.”

Differing dimensions never stood much an obstacle to Atem, as it should any other mortal man. As history would have it, for many lifetimes, it was the birthright of the royal bloodline to inherit dominion over a sacred relic of mysterious origin come their ascension to the throne (an heirloom much more exciting than some fancy chair, that’s for sure).

The item’s existence would only be revealed to its successor come coronation day, who’d swear an oath to oversee and protect it. For this was no ordinary object of old; this was a portal that could by cross dimensions kept under lock and key guarded away beyond the walls of a secret, sacred temple buried beneath the palace. It was the duty of the king and his high court to tend to it, and whenever the portal began to act up or emit otherworldly things (especially in the case they wreak havoc), it is his duty to step through the portal and close the one in the opposite universe. To preserve peace and balance; an honored duty.

This time, he finds himself in what appears to be public grounds of some kind. Awkward, long, slate-like seats are tucked against plank-lined barriers. He squints at the unexpected stream of sunlight that beams down on him from overhead, hand flying instinctively to guard his eyes. As awed as he is by the world, the world is awed by him. People dressed in funny attire and foreign fabrics shoot him looks. He doesn’t pay them any mind. His focus was to unearth the source of the disturbance, the root of what had caused this portal to emerge in the first place.

As Atem’s gaze drifts to survey his surroundings, it clips to a figure some feet away from him. At a glance, Atem might think he was looking in a mirror. Atem squinted harder, though, and determined it no reflection, but a man that bore several striking similarities to him. Different, still: his skin, paler; his eyes, a soft lavender; and his stature, the slightest shorter. He was slim, and certainly not combat-ready like Atem. The Pharaoh had bore witness to many mysterious abnormalities throughout these voyages, but somehow, this was so bizarre a thing, it outdid all those before it. He stood and stared, lips parted in silent surprise. When he did speak, he directed his words towards the stranger that looked shocked as he.

❝ You... what is your title? I know not who you are, or by what which or way you resemble me, but I intend to find out. Nothing like this has ever happened before... therefore, you must play a crucial role in the disturbance of this dimension. It’s the only logical conclusion.

Do not be afraid. I come to bring peace, and will no harm upon you.  ❞

Self-Requested Inbox Intrusion | Thank you! ♥ | @collectionofethics

Atem had been outright outraged when the ring keeper’s plight had been reported to him, most especially by the high court’s impromptu imprisonment of said man ( all done without Atem’s approval in what was deemed  ❛ necessary precautions ❜ ). Atem’s council had tried to reason with him and warn of Mahad’s unreliable, unstable condition, but was met by deaf ears, as Atem had not been present to witness the supposed outburst of savagery for himself. The Pharaoh could only respond with indignance in discovering his closet confidant and right-hand man had been caged like a feral mutt with the same chains they bound petty criminals.

Oh, the indignity. 

Atem would not hear a single word of protest and could not be deterred in his demands to see Mahad. Atem simply couldn’t conceive a shred of possibility that Mahad could somehow have lost all semblance of himself and been swallowed away by chaos. He’d have to see it, verify it with his own two eyes, before he’d ever allow himself to believe such a preposterous, blasphemous concept. Maybe it was wishful thinking, maybe it was denial. 

Still, he hoped and prayed all this was all one big, elaborate scheme. He fell to his knees before Mahad’s cell and looked at his friend, tied down like a menace. The mere sight made his stomach drop and his heart lurch in his chest as he bent forward, speaking softly, 

❝ Mahad … please, tell me they speak lies. Your heart would never sink into the darkness. And if it did, I swear to you, I would pull you from it.  ❞

❝ You don’t belong here. You belong at my side. How could I be expected to enforce the light while you’re submerged in the black void? I could never abandon you, it would dishonor my crown. I swear by it, Mahad, I won’t return to the throne until I know for certain that you’re safe.  ❞

Atem knows his place. His heart, however, doesn’t. It aches & throbs it’s somewhere it doesn’t belong; for it had determined long ago its place was somewhere among the rest of them.

It wasn’t for lack of trying, but in the end, his heart won; & it led him back here.

The caramel painted walls and lime-slated roof were just as he remembered. The bell to the Kame game shop chimed a familiar tune as he stepped inside. Shelves were stacked tall with sundry games from all around the globe, some old as their dusty covers, others new as their factory-sealed boxes. He looked around and let bittersweet nostalgia wash over, & for the first time in a long time, he felt the peace he never had in the emptiness of the great beyond. 

How could it be he did not belong to a place where his heart felt so full?

His fingers dragged along the shelves when someone behind the counter caught his eye. In truth, encountering Yuugi was not something he’d thought through. All this had been so oddly unplanned and spontaneous of him, he didn’t even have the faintest inkling what he might say should they come face-to-face. Not to worry. Some words weren’t formed in the mind. Some words are born and carried in the heart, like Atem trusted the ones he meant for Yuugi were.

Yuugi, who stood directly across from him. He’d grown. His jaw had squared slightly with age and he’d garnered a few more choppy inches of height.  Atem can’t help the smile that takes shape on his face at the mere sight of Yuugi’s. He never knew just how much an undead heart could feel until this moment. Atem only wished he’d followed his heart sooner. 

  ❝ Yuugi … ❞

  ❝ Before all else, I’m sorry. You were the one to lead my way into the light and wish me the best. I’ve forsaken your efforts, your feelings, robbed you of the finality of a farewell. For any closure I take, any harm I cause, I’m sorry. As a phantom that haunted you, your wish for me to return back to where I belong was one I should’ve honored. Still, I couldn’t.

I hope you can forgive me, eventually. Until then, please pardon my selfishness and allow me to intrude on your life once more. ❞

“D-Do you th-think you could get the — the — th-the d-door for me?”Lenny asked the male hopefully. The woman stood in front of the door to a building with a box of supplies in her hands. She was helping set up for the fundraising event Domino Animal Shelter was holding today. The event was going to have games and food plus a face painting table. They were also going to be holding a raffle as well where people could win prizes. The shelter had also brought in a few animals in an attempt to try and get them adopted.

“M-My hands are kinda full.”she added.

Without a moment’s hesitance, Atem acted on autopilot and outstretched his arm so to wedge the door open with a swift creak. An act of simple common courtesy, of course, and etiquette would dictate now to be the time for him to step back and allow her to scuttle inside with a curt nod. That he would’ve, had he not caught a glimpse of the towering box stacked high with supplies of miscellaneous assortment that looked a tad heavy to be held in her arms. He didn’t wish to offend her by intervening unnecessarily, but that didn’t stop him from doing just that.

He slowly stepped forward, gently lifting the box from her hands and taking it into his own. Shifting the weight under his palms, he discovered it was as heavy as it looked. It must be for something rather important to this girl if she’d been set on shouldering it anyhow. 

 ❝ Allow me. Heavy lot you’ve got here. Is it for something special? ❞

    “I’m SAD to say it simply isn’t so,” A low chuckle, a glance towards Atem. At his feet is innocent souls, bodies no longer moving. A PARTY, a gathering gone wrong. A room becoming a temporary tomb for these mortals until they would be dragged away, “You’re always so KEEN on following me aren’t you?”     Violet eyes glimmer, the darkness dancing in the hues as a permanent resident in the gaze, “If you expect an end to my terror, you’re going to be waiting for a while. I don’t plan to stop, I will NEVER stop.”     In his hand is the weapon that caused the carnage–not his preferred item to slaughter, but the knife makes due until he can get his hands back on his favorite, his darling khepesh.

The splay of lifeless corpses lay piled up and packed together in one big scattered heap of death and decay, crimson liquid staining the floor as it spread out from underneath in a morbid puddle. At least someone seemed happy, the murderer responsible looking rather smug ＆satisfied with himself, standing atop those bodies without a sliver of remorse but a haughty grin instead as though this were a mountain and he, its king. This shadow spawn’s blood thirst was unquenchable, no amount of fresh flesh for slaughter capable of appeasing him.

Most people would clear out of the way of this monster’s path and cower for their lives, but as for Atem, he audaciously stepped forth and served to obstruct it. The fiend’s rampage would stretch on into infinity if circumstance would allow it... and Atem did not intend to step by and permit it.

Anger was buried deep in his booming voice as he addressed the foul, loathsome being: 

❝ How many more innocent lives did you intend to fall victim to the plight of your filthy blood lust? How many more did you think would perish, until someone rose up to challenge you? I’m not going to stand idle and hope feebly for an end to your rein of terror to come about. I intend to be it.

You’ve taken one too many lives to walk off with your own, scotch-free.

—Drop your weapon. It would serve you well to learn quickly I am not someone to raise a blade against. Otherwise, I’ll have to teach you.❞

Joey knew that better than anybody, and had found it harder than most to escape, especially since graduation. Dueling, it turned out, was only a viable career if you had the money to fund it. Too much travelling, too many tournaments, too many new booster packs to buy. The dream of being a world-class duelist had come and gone, fizzled out into nothing, though he still kept his deck of cards on him at all times. He was sentimental.

His time and money was better spent in more nefarious businesses, though he had worked hard to acquire his apprenticeship at the Domino Fire and Rescue Department, mostly through Mai’s sheer determination to keep him on the straight and narrow.

But he knew how to be a criminal far better than he knew how to be a public service worker.

It was with that thought in mind that he peered down at his phone, the screen illuminating his face in the evening dark, scanning over a text received earlier that day from Hirutani. How the guy had found his new number he’d never know - Hirutani had a way of just ‘finding’ things, especially when they pertained to Joey. He bit his lower lip as he thought deeply, tapping away the ash on the end of his cigarette with his other hand.

He was so engrossed in his own present anxieties that he almost, almost walked into a figure stood square in the path in front of him. He swerved at the last second, stumbling and almost dropping his phone - he dropped his cigarette, instead.

“Ah, shit - ”

He rounded on the man with a full intention of giving him a mouthful of insults, only to cut himself off mid-sentence.

“Look where you’re walking, why don’t you? I - ”

Except, he knew this face. He knew it like the back of his hand, like the lyrics of a familiar song, like the stairs in a house you’ve lived in your whole life. Because this face was Yugi’s, only it wasn’t. It never had been, and the differences were familiar too. A tighter jaw, sterner eyes - this was a face he hadn’t seen for seven years. This man was dead.

Struck by the shock of the whole thing, Joey was rooted to the spot, mouth open half an inch, eyes unblinking. This was a dream. He’d fallen asleep at some bus stop somewhere and this was a dream.

This city stood testament to the myriad of growth and development he hadn’t been present in flesh and blood to witness unfold. The magnificent metropolis had experienced quite the exponential surge of renovation, its old-timer local residents having come to refer to this budding urban utopia as ❛ New Domino. ❜ Between wide-scale electromagnetic screen displays ＆more cement pavement than there was grass patches, ten street signs ＆lamps for every outcropping wire-fence framed tree; Atem could tell at a glance that unlike the unchanging stand-still mirage of the afterlife, the realm of the living moved forever forward, with or without him.

The gap between him and this modern society had grown wider still. The yearning to belong, to catch up, and to come together with his friends could never be extinguished; but skimming the vast scenery of multitudinous skyscrapers and metropolitan streets, he could not fight off the self-intrusive stray thought that he could never belong here. His mere presence situated upon this lofty sidewalk corner was a bold defiance of the boundaries of belonging. 

It was hard to accept fate. That like the token treasures of his kingdom, he was nothing more than an ancient relic that bore the glory of its past in each crack ＆faded color; no more than dilapidated ruins ＆artifacts time had churned to ash. Destiny had determined there would be no exceptions to time’s tempering; all of it, everything, would be buried in the hourglass’ sand.  

That’s what fate and his friends both had decided. And yet, here he stood. 

Fate must really have it out for him. As though to say  ❛ if you can’t accept how out of the loop you are, can’t accept your time’s up, then here, see for yourself the change you can’t accept. ❜ Someone had stumbled into him... that someone being none other then one of the very friends that sent him away. Coincidence. A blessing at the best of times, a curse at times like these.

❝ Joey. ❞

He didn’t bother with concealing himself. However times had changed, his stubborn hide most certainly hadn’t, and he was just as daring and brutally honest as he had been before. His violet pupils dipped to watch as a cigarette slipped from faltering fingers ＆fell to the cement ground. Everything of the world he knew had changed; maybe everyone had with it? There wasn’t an alteration in existence that could make Atem any less fond of his friends. However... could the changing times have perhaps made way for him and those friends to come together at last?

Or was he merely a ghost that kept on haunting them, refusing to comply and lie back in his grave already? Either way, he shook his head and cleared his throat to say:

❝ It’s alright. Your eyes are not playing tricks on you, and it’s no ghost in front of you. It’s me. I suppose you could say that I wasn’t very taken with death. You could call this a surprise visit.  ❞

“It’s not like it’s the first time I couldn’t sleep.” The words tumble past his lips as fingers reach for two slices of bread to make a sandwich of some sort. He got the late night munchies and was not sure what kind of sandwich he wanted but he was making it. A soft hum escapes him as he peeks into the fridge. “Turkey or ham…? That is the real question.” his mind wanders to video games that he might play after getting this sandwich rather than figuring out what sandwich he wants to make. // namelesspharaoh, starter !!

❝Don’t I know it! Together, you and I have shared some pretty restless times, haven’t we?❞  He has to restrain a chortle as Yuugi dives for the fridge, a suppressed snort slipping past his walled amusement. Compared to violet eyes brewing with trepidation and pale under-eyes smeared heavy with charcoal bags, Atem much preferred this twinkle-eyed Yuugi that fully immersed himself in the selection of his midnight snack with furrowed brows. It wasn’t the first time Atem thought it, ＆sure was far from the last, but Yuugi had grown so much since the conclusion of their many misadventures. Like the box the puzzle’s pieces had been held in, they’d been shelved aside, an embodiment of an endearing past.

He cleared his throat and patted the spot on the couch beside him loudly.

❝ What an impossible choice. When you do somehow manage to overcome that challenging decision, why don’t you come join me? You can tell me what’s eating at you, and, as always, we can be restless together. If you’re up for it, we can play a game together. If you’re in the mood to lose, that is.  ❞ A hint of a challenge lilts his tone, a mischievous smirk riddled across his lips. 

It was a beautiful day. The sky was completely blue, lacking a cloud in sight as the sun’s rays brushed over the land. Birds were singing their usual tune while cicadas chirped within echo. Everything was peaceful and it brought peace to the CEO. Dressed in regular clothes consisting of a white buttoned down shirt and brown slacks, he thought he blended in well with regular folks.

No one questioned who he was. No one asked him about any upcoming projects. He enjoyed this small vacation and sitting in the outside garden of the local museum made it possible.

Atem could recall a time, as distant & far-off a fairy tale as it now felt, that he’d once sternly lectured Yuugi of the importance of the word ‘no’ and making good use of it when approached with requests while overloaded or unwilling. Oh, ever the hypocrisy. If only Atem would take his own advice. Alas, it was a beautiful day out in Domino City, nothing but clear skies and sunshine that stretched as far as the eye could see; but rather than taking advantage of these opportune weather conditions with his friends, Atem was stuck here at the local museum’s grounds.

Oh well, can’t be helped. 

After all, it’s not like he could turn down a request from Grandpa, of all people. ‘Ole man Mutou had an old archaeology buddy in town who’d wanted another pair of eyes in organizing the presentation of his collection as well as potentially authenticating several artifacts. Really, Atem hadn’t the faintest idea how it was Grandpa even pitched involving him to these people. Somehow he doubted the process included introducing him as a resurrected Pharaoh of thousands of years past whose experience was unquestionable, so much as falsifying a tall-tale of an accomplished, highly credible, and invaluably knowledgeable young prodigy in the field.

Regardless, Atem had spent more hours engaging in awkward conversation amidst LED lamplight and matched concrete tiled walls&floors to have driven him near the edge of madness. He’d escaped to the gardens for a quick refresher, hoping to find some semblance of respite here. While the garden did not compare to the lush ones of his homeland in the slightest, it was one of the nicer ones he had stumbled across in this area. Speaking of stumbling into things...  

Seto Kaiba was the only person on earth Atem could possibly conceive whiling away such a gorgeous day situated somewhere like a museum. Atem was certain both he and Kaiba had come to this place for some overdue peace and quiet, but both knew well that was impossible in the company of the other. Atem’s spine straightened like an arrow as he set his sights on Kaiba.

❝ Kaiba. How rare it is to see you dressed so casually. Are you hiding? I bet your fans would have a field day if they saw you like that...❞ He observed the obvious with a self-amused chuckle.  ❝ Well, either way, I’m pretty confident it’s not the the Egyptian excavation exhibit you’re here for. How convenient, you always seem to wind up mid center the hot spot of the things you seek to evade. For not believing in destiny, Kaiba, it seems to have it out for you. Or you could call it an odd string of coincidences, whichever.  ❞

Tarot Card Based Asks 〘𝓧〙 | Not Accepting | @starbrightbakura

What are their hopes and dreams?

Although Atem’s ambitions adapted a lot throughout the course of his prolonged life time, ultimately, Atem’s existence was driven by two primary aspirations. First and foremost, his  overall objective is to leave the world a better place than he was born into .

Atem was born into the lap of luxury and never mind a silver spoon, he had a gold one. His birthright as prince entitled him to inherit the crown to a kingdom, reign sovereign over its people, and draw profits off its vast riches & resources. Eulogized as the chosen one & living link between the gods and mortal men from the cradle, Atem was groomed to believe he wasn’t like the rest, but above them by both blood & divine right.

While this played a big part in the development of Atem’s fatal flaw — his insurmountable arrogance — it didn’t deter the flourishing of the true gold he possessed: his heart. Although Atem took a great deal of pride in his royal heritage, his kinship with the deities, and the history of his accomplished ancestors that built up their kingdom; he did not believe his life itself held more value or importance than anyone else’s.

More than social ladders or caste systems determined a person’s place, Atem felt character and integrity were deciding factors of one’s worth. Turning his head away from the teachings of his elders in what was decreed ‘youthful naivety,’ Atem’s heart led him to foster a nondiscriminatory sense of right & wrong and a moral code black & white as night & day. Abuse of authority, exploitation of others, corruption, bribery, coercion, physical abuse, & unequal treatment were all wrongs that made Atem’s blood boil.

To Atem, being ceded the crown was an honor in what he hoped to give his people, not get from them, and was equally a commitment as it was a privilege. His earliest ambitions were to eventually reign as a just, fair, and kind king much beloved by his people, just as father dearest had before him. Atem had been fed stories since boyhood of his Father’s legendary altruism and mighty heroic deeds as both war hero and peace-bringer, all of which Atem idealized and was inspired by to carry on that baton of greatness.

But those dreams were shattered abruptly when it was revealed to Atem his father was not what stories, statues, wall-carvings, or even his epitaph made him out to be. The crown passed down to him was not one promised to him of plated-gold, but rather, riddled with thorns of family secrets. With the boons of the throne, came the burdens of its misdeeds. 

His father had been greedy, selfish, cruel. Despite sharing equal claim to the throne, he’d hoarded the merits of his birthright and made way for rift and resentment to come between he and his adoring  twin brother. When war threatened to overcome their kingdom, rather than trusting it to the gods or vying for their protection, his father felt there was no better alternative than to turn to the dark forces to guard them from harm.

Atem’s uncle betrayed the gods and delved into the very spell book of darkness their family had been charged by the divine to protect. Lured by promise of power and vengeance against his brother, Aknadin paid the price of pools of innocent blood of their citizens, and forged golden trinkets that would grant power unlike any other.

Together, the combined wrongs of the brothers unleashed the deity of darkness.

The Millennium items had always been regarded as blessings bestowed upon them by the gods to pull through a perilous, war-torn time, but the whole time, the high court spoke lies to mask those forbidden objects of darkness and guise them as items of divine authority so to make off with using them as tools of extortion and tyrannical enforcement. The Pharaoh, who was meant to act in accordance with the just voice of the Goddess Ma’at, was now ruling a corrupt courtroom of chaos that crossed their deities and defied their principles. And the ignorant inheritor of that courtroom had been none other than Atem.

Atem’s motivations shifted. He became convinced that evil that ran in his veins, rather than the greatness he’d blindly believed. The luxuries his kingdom had acquired were not the hard-earned spoils of war or blessings bid to them by the gods they were lauded as, but the blossoming crops watered by innocent blood and betrayal too ungodly to admit.

And so, Atem became fixated: if his father had been evil, did that same evil permeate his blood? If it was not the citizens who were prone to wrong doing and in dire need of judgement and oversight, but those that ruled over and judged them, then surely he could not trust his own judgement. After all, his inheritance was only of vices, never virtues. 

But virtue was a choice, and Atem made it. When ominous clouds stirred and war began to brew, Atem turned to the gods and beseeched them for their aid. Despite the betrayal of his blood line, they chose and entrusted him to command their power. As a young boy his same age that called himself ‘the thief king’ made his family’s same mistakes in turning to the darkness to reign judgement on his foes rather than entrusting it to the gods, vice was a choice, and he made it. Atem knew this cycle of shadows had to be put to an end.

He’d dreamed to be a noble and kind king, and he would follow through with it. He’d feared being the weak link in the chain, but suddenly, he wished only to break away from it. If there was nothing to be proud of in being his father’s son, then he would be someone he could take pride in. To atone for his father’s mistakes, Atem paid in his own blood. He sacrificed his mortal body & butchered his soul, so to seal the dark one away; juxtapose to the actions of his uncle, who’d slayed innocents to summon him. Before parting the world, he settled the rift between father and uncle and entrusted the kingdom to his cousin.

To deviate from his legacy, Atem chose to leave none behind him. He entrusted his successor, Seto, with removing his name from every crypt wall, smashing every single statue, and ensuring he be remembered only as the ‘nameless pharaoh.’ For Atem did not want to be remembered for the great that he was; but the great he had done. To showcase his resolve, he shattered the millennium puzzle, the symbol of his father’s kingship.

Atem gave his all to do good, but in the end, saving the world couldn’t satisfy him.

Deep down, the war Atem yearned to resolve was one within himself. However tranquil he might’ve left the world, inside him, inner peace had yet to be found. Atem’s place in the world had always been predetermined by a higher power or factors outside his control, whether as a king or puzzle-bound spirit. An ambition he acquires after sating his first is a place to belong. For once, not somewhere he’s meant to be; but somewhere he chooses. Furthermore, not who he has to be; but who he chooses. 

For Atem never wanted to fight & die alone; oh, how he wishes for friends.

What makes them feel uplifted?

Any sliver or shape of a reminder whatsoever he is not alone.

Blatant and spontaneous displays of unwavering loyalty; “I’m here for you,” are the most revitalizing words an ally could offer him. Subtle gestures, such as a slight squeeze to either his hand or shoulder, speak volumes with Atem. Oaths run deep for him, and tying words such as ‘I swear’ or ‘I promise’ comfort him, especially when coupled with ‘to remain by your side’ or ‘to love you no matter what.’ Sentimental gestures made to prove a bond, such as Anzu’s marker smiley or matching accessories, are precious to Atem.

What do they become defensive about? Why?

Having his persona (particularly his pride) criticized, having his judgement challenged, or being defined by his past. This is somewhat due to the fact Atem is condemnatory of what he perceives as disapproval coming from a companion. However, for the most part, it’s because  Atem would rather be taken as he is and as he does than for what he is and what he’s done. He does not feel his mistakes define him, only teach him who he’s not. 

Above all else, Atem becomes defensive when criticized. 

Atem knows that he has weaknesses & flaws. On the battle field, enemies will pick them apart and scavenge for a soft spot in his heart that might cave with pressure. Rather than running from one’s weaknesses, Atem believes it is better to face them head on and accept oneself and those flaws. In Atem’s mind, a flaw only holds someone back if they let it, and choose to view it as a setback rather than a fundamental part of who they are.

For Atem, an ally should not be the one to pinpoint his imperfections. They should be the rare few that accept them, and rather than trying to fix him, embrace them. As far as Atem sees it, criticizing a friend’s flaws is advising a book be rewritten, because there’s too many bad parts. More powerful than criticism is support, because things will get better in future chapters, if only the reader is willing to stick it out until the end.

What comes second, is the subject of judgement. 

Once again, Atem is not perfect. His pride does not indicate his overconfidence in his strengths, but his content in his weaknesses. Atem trusts his judgement and relies on his instincts to navigate his environment and make decisions. He understands and accepts that his judgement is equally as faulty and capable of becoming clouded as anybody else’s, but does not believe that mistakes made in judgement on his part should cause him to question or abandon his intuition altogether. Atem believes wrong calls are an essential part of calibrating one’s judgement and sharpening it for future reference. 

Last but not least, his past.

As with all else, Atem knows his past is not without its faults; but he believes his past is a pivotal part in his identity and a vitality for the realization of his present and his future. And if he is worth anything now, or if he will be worth anything in a hundred years, then he was worth something then, even should he have made some shameful mistakes. 

Every good story needs its beginning, even if it’s rough. The first few pages do not dictate the outcome of the final ones, and a book shouldn’t be judged for its initial chapters. Atem is someone who takes people as they are, not as they’ve been; and expects the same in return. The past is just another aspect of oneself, best accepted than ostracized. 

Tarot Card Based Asks 〘𝓧〙 | Not Accepting | @dastardlydalliances​

How willing are they to let other peoples’ ideas work?

In trivial matters, Atem could not possibly care less. In fact, Atem tends to let other people take the lead in everyday social situations such as ‘where to go’ or ‘what to do.’

In serious matters, Atem could use to care less. These trigger his inner control-freak.

Atem is a self-sacrificial sentry by complex and a fierce protector of those he loves by nature. As such, he often disregards the devout loyalty his companions reciprocate towards him or how it might feel for them to stand back and watch him shoulder all their woes and blows for them. What’s more, Atem deliberately ignores his limits and is prone to biting off more than he can chew and overexerting himself while playing hero.

Atem has a persona that was tailor-made for handling serious matters. He will apply his quick thinking and enact his plans much faster than someone could possibly interject with one of their own. However, Atem heeds the suggestions of others and is fairly compliant in incorporating them into his own actions when they are indeed pitched to him.

Under dire circumstances, Atem is not opposed to his allies coming up with their own ideas to solve a problem (likely besting an enemy). However, it will take Atem jumping several mental hurdles before he will be open and on board with allowing said friend to actually approach the problem and attempt it themselves (again, likely an enemy).

He’s a stubborn man, and struggles to accept help from those he would die to protect. As he was once a king, he tends to measure his self worth in his ability to handle other people’s problems for them quickly and efficiently. It’s challenging for him to answer their pleas and allow them to step forth into the threshold of danger with him, for him.

… For a reason. Everything about Atem’s cautious, controlling nature is for a reason.

He has learned that combined strength is more powerful than individual; but still, it’s difficult to accept that needing help does not indicate he is too weak to protect them but rather that together they are strong enough to protect one another and face anything.

This is especially true as he would sustain any number of injuries just to ensure an ally would get by without a scratch. His mentality is simple: it’s me, or them; and at any given moment, Atem would rather it be him than them. This complex is a difficult one to reason with, but should a comrade break through and make him see it wounds them just as badly to watch him hurt as it would to have been hurt themselves, that they’d rather navigate and overcome hardships together, with enough persistence, Atem may yield.

He is hard of allowing others to contribute, but once he’s committed to teamwork, Atem will work in diligent tandem with his allies. He is adaptive & can be the driving force to bring their plans to fruition with his brilliant resourcefulness & cunning craftiness. One might even say Atem’s true strength is realized when he does allow others to step in.

And no matter how unacceptable Atem might treat it, another person jumping ahead to handle a problem for him or assist him is something that lifts him up, not brings him down.

How does my muse handle moderation?

In terms of self-imposed moderation, very well. Atem is quite masterful in the noble art of self-control, and rare does restraint evade him. If Atem is in a stable mindset, he can handle keeping his cool with ease. When the safety of his loved ones are jeopardized, he can control his vengeful urges and keep himself composed by internalizing his turmoil. He knows fear, panic, and anxiety will only hinder his wits and worsen the situation. He centers his mind on his objective, keeping his goal in mind’s view, in order to preform well under pressure. Self-imposed moderation is but a means to an ends with Atem.

In terms of moderation by exterior forces, also very well. Atem is well acquainted with treading a thin line. While he may internalize anger or upset at the moderation, he is accustomed to a life of boundaries and can handle them accordingly.

Alas, on the off-chance that he is confronted with catastrophic failures that he truly plays a part in or guiltily feels that he does, his composure will slip, and moderation will evade him. Perhaps this is his rawest, truest, most vulnerable face; when he lashes out freely, damns self restraint, and does as he pleases. This true face is not one easily brought out.

Is there an aspect of their life they live in excess of?

Restricting himself to staying in his “place” and tending to his “responsibilities,” real or imagined. Atem takes duty very seriously. His own feelings are so foreign to him, that in every decision Atem makes, he focuses on what he can achieve for the greater good rather than for the good of himself. He lives and dies for the greater good. Raised to be a ruler, he was taught to prioritize the majority. Many times, Atem fails to view himself as an individual with his own respect worthy thoughts and feelings; but rather as a mere instrument for solving problems that’s worth is only determined by its ability to do so.

He needs to learn to do what he feels is right, and not what is right for the world.

He also allow his failures, his fears, and his past to affect him long into the future; and perhaps trying to fill boots too big for him, that were never truly meant to be his.

He needs to learn to stop being the King of Egypt, his father’s son, and start being Atem.

The Fool: Does my muse like embarking on new adventures? Who does my muse aspire to be? What is my muse unwilling to do?

The Magician: What does my muse consider to be an achievement? What sort of things blocks them from getting what they want? Do they consider themselves a good teacher?

The High Priestess: How does my muses inner voice effect them? How does this manifest? Do they trust their instincts?

The Empress: Is my patient? How does my muse express creativity? How do the overcome a creative block?

The Emperor: Is my muse disciplined? What makes them feel powerful? Powerless? How do they handle new authority?

The Hierophant: What does it take for my muse to trust others? Are they religious and if yes how so? How do they try and make people understand them?

The Lovers: When faced with a choice will my muse go for what they know or what is new? What is my muse passionate about? Is my muse good about communicating how they feel?

The Chariot: What does my muse equate with success? Does my muse consider themselves confident? What makes my muse feel like they've lost control?

Strength: What makes my muse feel in control? What do they equate having courage with? What brings up the most doubt for them?

The Hermit: How often do they have introspective thoughts? How often do they focus on themselves and their own needs? How much time alone is too much time alone?

Wheel of Fortune: What would my muse consider to be a good change? How lucky do they consider themselves? How often do they take responsibility for their actions?

Justice: How does my muse determine what is best for them or others? How do they react to change? How often does emotion cloud their judgment?

The Hanged Man: What makes my muse feel vulnerable? Do they take things too seriously? How does my muse take criticism?

Death: How does my muse mourn the end of things? How do they deal with transitions in their life? Are there any bad habits they seem to be stuck in?

Temperance: How willing are they to let other peoples ideas work? How does my muse handle moderation? Is their an aspect of their life that they live in excess of?

The Devil: Is there something my muse is addicted to, is so what? Are they prone to overindulging? What things overwhelm my muse?

The Tower: What would send my muse crashing down? How does my muse deal with things getting shaken up? What do they refuse to let go of?

The Star: What are their hopes and dreams? What makes them feel uplifted? What do they become defensive about? Why?

The Moon: Can they find beauty in hurtful situations? Do they push to follow their dreams or do they wait idly by? What paralyzes my muse emotionally?

The Sun: What brings out my muses child-like side? How does my muse celebrate achievements? What helps when they feel hopeless?

Judgment: How easily do they forgive others? Themselves? How easily do they move forward in life? Are they harsh on themselves with self-criticism? Why?

❝ ━━ You’re giving  them  to  me?  Thanks!  ‘Ya  know,  I  also  added  some spellcasters,  too.  I  pulled  a  few  Equip  and  Field  Spell  cards  specifically  for  them  out  of  a  few  packs  and  figured  the  more strategies  my  deck  allows,  the  better. ❞   She did have a few spell cards that increased the attack powers of her Fairy cards, but Dark Magician Girl, Fire Sorcerer and Gemini Elf really helped to beef up her deck.

           ❝ ━━ No,  it’s  fine!  I  may  not  go  out  and  do  this  on  my  own,  but  it’s fun  hanging  out  with  you  no  matter what  we’re  doing.  Plus,  the  advice  really  helps.  I’m  not  as  into  this  as  you  guys,  but  I  still  wanna  be  prepared  for  a  challenge. ❞   The dancer paused, giving thought to his question for a moment. There wasn’t anywhere in particular she wanted to go, but since he was giving her a choice, she supposed picking wouldn’t be too hard. Things had been fairly hectic as of late. Ever since the business with the Millennium Puzzle became more known within the Dueling scene, the harder it was for the group of friends to stay out of trouble. Yami and Yugi did their best, but Téa didn’t always feel comfortable sitting on the sidelines, hoping things would turn out; especially with how often she was used as bait.

           The chaos that was always at hand made her value the calmer moments in between. That’s when she decided that Yami needed a break. He was usually only ever out when there was danger, so this might help him relax. Visiting the card shop with her and being surrounded by the smell of freshly opened cards  seemed to have eased him into the idea.  ❝ ━━ Let’s  go  for  a  walk  on  the  beach.  It’ll  be  nice  to  get  away  from  it  all  for  a  little  while. ❞   Hearing the waves crash and feeling sand sink beneath her feet sounded heavenly. In a quiet and peaceful place like that, they could just talk and not have to worry about what’s to come.

           The new gifts she’d received, along with the rest of her deck was slipped into her card box and tucked away for the time being. Back when Duel Monsters was nothing more than fun among friends, their worlds were pretty small. Bad thing stil happened in Domino City, but it was usually just petty crimes and bullies. It wasn’t until Yugi solved the puzzle that games started becoming life or death situations. Even so, Téa had absolute faith in Yami and knew that anyone who was brave and powerful enough to save them time and time again would always find a way to set things right in the end.

           The beach wasn’t far from this particular store as it was one of the more obscure ones toward the borders of the city. The lively brunette had picked it because it was less likely that he’d ever been there. Perhaps she’d come back with Yugi at some point so she could experience it with the both of them.  ❝ ━━ I know  you  could  stand  to  take  a breather.  We’ve  been  getting  mixed  up  in  all  kinds  of  dangerous  situations  lately.  But  don’t  worry.  After  a long  day  of  practicing  dancing,  there’s  nothing  better  than  hitting  the  beach.  Card  games  aren’t  exactly  the  same  thing,  but  I  can  tell you’re  getting  worn  out, ❞   She said with a note of concern in her voice. Graceful feet quickly turned, stepping out the door and into the balmy evening air. They still had a couple of hours before it got dark, they may as well be spent somewhere they can unwind.

❝ Every duelist is different. Take Kaiba, for instance. His deck, just like him, is extremely methodical ＆straight-forward. He picks from the most powerful combinations he can single out and relies solely on a select-few strategies to overpower ＆ overwhelm his opponent with sheer force ＆ precision. Whether it’s his virus combo limiting his opponent’s options or the full-throttle of his three dragons, Kaiba’s strategies reflect him. My deck, on the other hand, is adaptive, cherry-picked with the cards I trust. It’s a lot like me. It’s constructed to be able to handle when things get hard ＆bounce back with resilience in trying times.

You could say that our decks, and by extension, ourselves, are alike, then. ❞

— Oh. He’s ranting and raving again, isn’t he? Just when he’d gone and said, ❛enough about the cards ＆my passions,❜ he’d prattled on and on about decks and duelists and… really, what else was there to make a subject of conversation? At least speaking professionally about his area of savvy expertise saved him the difficulty of trying to get personal. It wasn’t exactly his strong suit, and he didn’t want to embarrass himself making some sort of awkward attempt at chumminess.

But Téa had a certain way about her of making him feel less out of place, as though his social shortcomings weren’t something that would come in-between. Her smile was reassuring and inviting, and maybe that’s just why he couldn’t help but let his lips fall loose around her. Of all their friend group, Téa was the easiest person for him to relax around ＆be honest with. It was something about her presence, her gait, her very manner of speaking... that calmed his nerves.

She really was admirable and strong in her own right. Not that he would be so bold as to voice those thoughts aloud, but he certainly respected her a great deal ＆showed so in his actions.

❝ The beach, then. ❞

At her next words, he merely blinked. 

Although many a times he’d thrown himself face-first into the fray of danger for the sake of his friends, he never expected anything in return ＆saw his sacrifices as nothing more than acting of his own accord. He didn’t know who he was, he didn’t even know his own name, but he knew the names and faces of these people all around him ＆ knew that he would do anything to guarantee their safety ＆happiness. Any costly consequence of that was a price he would be more than willing to pay. The state of his own well-being was irrelevant next to theirs, as far as he saw it.

Yet Téa saw past his fronts and complexes that even he failed to see beyond sometimes, saw the person beneath that strained under the stressful pressure of the weight of the world he loaded on his shoulders as though it were merely his duty. Yami felt almost bashful in what he’d perceived as her calling him out in a way, although he knew that her words had been intended as concern. Why concerning himself with the well-being of others was completely natural to him, yet so disconcerting when that concern came from another and was aimed at himself, Yami didn’t know. It just felt so wrong; he was their protector! If he kicked back and relaxed, if he focused on himself, what if something happened to them? He needed to remain constantly vigilant, always.

Perhaps there was something in his unknown, mysterious past that would explain his innermost insecurities... but he knew not that answer, and pondering it would only further distress him. And  Téa was very good at telling when he was in distress, so he let his thoughts fade to blank.

❝ You don’t have to worry for my sake, Téa. I feel most at peace when I know that you and the others are safe, and that sense of security is worth all of the danger. Still, you’re right. We’ve been through a lot. A break would be good. ❞