014 ≠ ( CONSOLE | VIDEO + ACTION )

[denyamenti]

((OOC: Very belatedly backdated to the start of the MisSpell plot.))

---

[ While this isn't the first time Bakura's been on the console looking like he's been in a fight, this might be the most indignant he's ever looked about it. Some absently wiped cuts have made a few streaks of blood against pale skin, and those are going to be some spectacular bruises later. ]

Is this the Dreaming's doing, or is someone here once again messing around with what they shouldn't be?

It seems-- [ aggravated sarcasm ] --that it isn't enough where alternate versions of ourselves can show up in this city. Now it's ourselves, from past or future, and mine decided he did not approve of what he is to become.

private to Pepper, Raine, Valdis

Be warned: he took the Ring. Well meaning as it might be, don't try to take it back from him unless you intend to keep it. My--

[ pause; voice is carefully, exactingly neutral ]

The ghosts are also responding more strongly to him at the moment, than to me.

---

[ around; ]

[ Both Bakuras can be run into throughout the city, one searching for the other, and the newer arrival still trying to figure out exactly what the hell is going on. They both look alike and yet don't... it's kind of jarring, and yet there's no mistaking. TKB replies will come from diaboundthief ]

Comments

re: the private message

[ruinsprofessor]

Then he has--

[Things the Ring also contains: Zorc.]

I don't think I could take it back from him, but...

Hm. He looks like you?

[denyamenti]

Yes, though he's not unaware of it.

[ The Thief King is, after all, the one who originally struck that deal. ]

Yes and no. You won't mistake him, at least.

[ruinsprofessor]

That isn't reassuring.

[Then again, she hardly asked Bakura to reassure her.]

...are you seriously hurt?

[denyamenti]

Better the devil that you know, is the saying. In this instance, rather literal.

Nothing that won't heal.

[ruinsprofessor]

In your estimation, will he do anything... foolish?

[In this case, Raine specifically means with regards to Zorc and the Ring.]

[A sigh.]

Quite technically, anything you survive will heal, given enough time. Do you have any injuries that are significantly painful or will impede your everyday function?

Video

[backwordscompatible]

It was one time.

Re: Video

[denyamenti]

[ Despite the bruises, Bakura's habitual smirk makes an appearance. ]

Can't you take a joke, hekauet?

Video

[backwordscompatible]

[She tensed up for a moment, then relaxed. Then rolled her eyes.]

I don't know. Can you make a decent one?

[Humor aside...she sat up a bit straighter in her seat and took a second look on the face on the other side of the console.]

How bad is it?

[Specifically, the other-Bakura situation. The injuries, she could wager a guess by the fact that he was up and talking.]

Re: Video

[denyamenti]

Can you?

Not as bad as it could be. He-- I? --he knows where and when he is. That this is Keeliai. So perhaps he's less from my actual past and instead...

[ A shrug of his shoulders, which ends up finishing with a wince. Bad call. ]

Well, no stranger than the rest of the tricks the Dreaming has pulled here.

Video

[backwordscompatible]

...instead...what?

[Just when she though she'd figured out the weirdest of Keelai's secrets...something new just had to go and pop up, didn't it?]

action; in the city; TKB?

[ruinsprofessor]

[Raine actively goes looking for the other Bakura.]

[Part of it is curiosity; part of it is she wants to assess him for herself, see how much of him is in the Bakura she knows and how much is something else. And how dangerous he is.]

[It's obvious when she does find him, in Sky. Raine studies him from a distance for a moment or two before crossing the street to stand in his path.]

You're Bakura, aren't you.

[diaboundthief]

[ Of course she does. ]

Bakura, [ he corrects the pronunciation; BAK-rah, which she's probably heard a time or two before this, from Solomon, but it seems important enough that he's making a distinction ]

Yes. And you're the scholar, Raine.

[ruinsprofessor]

[What else would she do?]

[Raine tilts her head a little, as though listening closer.]

Bakura. I see.

[The pronunciation is more precise mimicry this time. Either she got lazy with it over time, or her own Bakura adopted a slightly altered version on purpose, or... hm.]

I am. I'll admit, I'm not sure whether to approach you as a friend or a stranger. Which would you prefer?

[diaboundthief]

[ Be the responsible person in this lot? ]

[ He vocalizes a wordless approval at the correction of his name. Why his khajbit had decided to mangle the pronunciation... to say it as the pale teen version, Bakura Ryou, had... who knew? Raine's question makes him laugh, abruptly. The same laugh, but easier to appear, less tinged with cynicism. ]

It seems I'm both and neither. There's no need for you to be afraid, when my shadow thinks so very well of you.

[ruinsprofessor]

[It would be nice to hear the other Bakura laugh like that, Raine thinks.]

[She looks thoughtful, though. It's difficult not to see the familiar in the man in front of her, especially when he's confirmed that he does know her, and how Bakura thinks of her.]

I'm not afraid. More... cautious, of an unknown quantity.

What are you looking for, in the city?

Action | The Dojo

[purelychaos]

[Valdis received the message but, due to the lack of hands, was unable to respond over the radio. She trotted through the streets toward the Dojo, looking a bit stressed. She didn't like the sound of this alternate version of Bakura. The normal Bakura was dangerous enough. It was twilight out when she reached her workplace and she stood outside the Dojo, striking the ground with a hoof and adding a short snort.]

Bakura?

[denyamenti]

[ It took a moment before the door opened; he was used to people simply letting themselves in, and the mental voice was enough to put his defenses up for a moment before he identified its owner.

He definitely wasn't expecting a unicorn on the veranda, though. ]

Well... I have to say, khasphemet, as far as trading in for a newer model goes, this one's going to be significantly harder to keep clean.

[purelychaos]

[She waited, pawing the ground with her head down and her tail swishing with irritation until the door finally opened. At his words, she tossed her head indignantly.]

At least I'm still pretty.

[She snorted and then twisted her head slightly to put him into view. Prey eyes were positioned so differently, it was annoying.]

He certainly did a number on you...is there any reason to believe he means any of us harm?

[denyamenti]

More than I can say for my situation. Come in, I suppose.

[ The doors and the dojo fit her hellhound form, who was roughly the same dimensions, so it should accommodate her new form. The interior shows clear signs of a fight, including some damages that were magically made. The two had really gone at it in here. ]

Have you heard what's caused this?

[ He took a seat on one of the benches, replacing an ice pack over his shoulder. ]

You'd think fighting one's own self would be easier, but it's not. As for whether he intends harm, I wouldn't think so... he recognized this place, he knows somehow that this is Keeliai. My guess is that he has at least most, if not all of my own memories. But there is a higher probability of him to lash out, if pressed.

[purelychaos]

I haven't, but it seems to be widespread with a variety of affects. Klaus is a lion, Gene and Midii are both small children.

[She followed him back into the Dojo, her hooves clopping on the floor as she surveyed the place. Damage, both physical and magical...this did not bode well.]

If he has your memories...

[She didn't like the sound of that. It meant he would know her, he would know Raine, he would know Gene and Pepper. He would know, or could at least suspect, how Bakura felt about everyone. He would know their fighting styles, their abilities...and he had the Ring.]

What do you think he will do?

[Stupid prey instincts...making her nervous about predators. This was so dumb]

re: private message;

[talktiltheydrop]

Him as in the tanned, scar-over-the-eye, first-edition version of you that you showed me that one time?

[Also, yes, she's looking about twenty-five. It's been a weird day. And to the last about the ghosts:]

Are you okay?

Re: private message;

[denyamenti]

Yes, that one.

[ He is definitely doing a doubletake at her appearance. ]

Are there two of you now as well, or did you yourself change?

[ pointedly not even answering the question ]

private;

[talktiltheydrop]

I'm just me. I woke up almost two inches taller and looking about twenty-five. I'm, uh, still getting used to it.

[She raises an eyebrow at the lack of an answer, but that's not entirely unexpected.]

I'll keep an eye out for him. How bad would it be if I had the Duelist gauntlet with me?

Re: private;

[denyamenti]

It can't be that difficult to get used to, if you're still you.

My guess is that he won't be hard to find, unless he decides there's reason to go to ground.

... Be careful, biahbenat. Between being in the Ring and being in Keeliai, I'm far less volatile than I once was.

private;

[talktiltheydrop]

It's just different, looking in the mirror.

[She nods in acknowledgement of the warning.]

Yeah, I kinda figured that from the cuts. I'll make sure not to get in a fight with him.

[Or, you know, run if one got started anyway.]