tabularasa_rp | [Open] This Is What Happens After a Month of Sleeping...

[He wasn't wrong. When her powers were active, the temptation to succumb to the worst in her was real enough after all. But for now, she was just being her usual snarky self, getting up and walking over towards hiim as he tried to jog, maybe even attempting to keep up.]

You humans and your obsessions with maintaining peak condition. Mmmmph, well you're in better shape than me anyway. [She snickered over at him.] I don't really need assistance to come up with ways to irritate you, you realize.

You're an easy target for that sort of thing, heh.

[And apparently one of her favorite pastimes was quickly becoming goading him now and again.]

[As one that was prone to giving into temptation perhaps Kaiba shouldn't judge. Neither one of them was able to trust easily and if roles were reversed would he have hesitated to act against her? ~~Possibly~~. Unwittingly, he slowed just enough to make it marginally easier for her to keep up with his lengthier strides.]

Mm. Considering this place and it's eccentricities, I'm not taking any chances. [Was his initial response, as they proceeded to move down the beach. Was that- a compliment on his physique? That was only a little awkward, so he ignored it.] Not usually, no, but you wouldn't want the material to get dated, would you?

[Not keen on being her source for amusement, he was tempted to take off and leave her in the dust... but he didn't]

... What did you encounter in Mementos? [Yeah, he went there. Addressing the elephant in the room. Would she mention his nightmare or omit it? This might be a way to learn about some of the other's fears..]

Sometimes the old classics are classics for a reason. You're kind of low-hanging fruit, you know. [She snickered a little bit while the two of them chatted. Yeah, she was teasing him right now. Definitely.]

I saw you and that kid again. You freaking out, putting your heart back together. Pretty sure it was an old memory or something like that. Bunch of others while I had my powers back, so mostly nightmares.

Lemme guess. The brat thought he was doing you a favor, wasn't he?

Other times the classics have lingered past their prime and need replacement. [Mr-I-prefer-to-bury-the-past insisted on this point.] .. but sure, some things endure. [You can bet that no matter how much time passes, he will cling to those dragon cards.] Not generally how I would classify myself... [.. but he caught a hint of what he assumed to be a more light-hearted element to her delivery. Maybe he was in error but there were more pressing subjects]

[No hesitation on her part. Bold actually. He sort of appreciated her forthrightness. Still, it was awkward.]

.. It's called a penalty game. [Not really sure why she needs to know, or why he's telling her. This isn't like before. There are no gaps in his memory that need filling] Not everyone sees the same thing when it happens- theoretically. [Sometimes he debated whether it had actually happened. Plus the strange like occurrences abruptly halted after some point. He wasn't sure what had made the spirit call them off.]

.. And yes. I suppose he did. [Thinking back on that wispy, shadowy form still made his stomach twist. Truthfully, the experience had opened his eyes. So consumed with his empire, and vengeance he'd nearly forgotten what mattered most. He'd spent less and less time with his younger brother, and believe it or not he'd been a much colder person. It was just hard to tell, since he kept the attitude, bitterness, and many of the hangups... BUT... it was an improvement ok] Heh.. [Pausing in his paces and tilting his head towards her] You didn't care for him much, if I recall.

[There was definitely a light-hearted element to the comment, to be sure. Everyone was low-hanging fruit to her, except for a few like Cole or Legion, who were more immunized to her wiles. But jabbing was fun.

She snorted as she listened to the explanation. Just the statement 'penalty game' told her what she needed to know.]

He's like a Buddhist priest, trying to "Guide us lowlifes on the path of righteousness." Forcing what he sees as a moral improvement on someone else without so much as considering 'why' it exists in the first place. Jealousy's an awful thing to feel, but if you're smart about it, it guides you. Drives you. Gives you something to strive for.

I'm a problem for people because they're dumb about their envy, and I can make that dumbness even dumber. [Another snort.] Your rival might be helping people sometimes, but I bet you that trick doesn't actually help every time, and the times it doesn't...

[She that unsaid.]

[There were two parts encapsulated in that section Kaiba could agree with, jabbing was fun and Cole needed to get a clue, nothing phased him. Legion wasn't much better.

Dodging around some miscellaneous debris, Kaiba kept his attention split between her and the path ahead.]

It's infuriating isn't it? [Shaking his head just at the thought of the smug bastard who wasn't here to defend himself. What gave him any right to meddle in others affairs so invasively?] Mm. [Humming to the next portion, since it wasn't as if the spirit had known his whole life story before acting] It can be a powerful motivating factor. [Not that he would know personally- COUGH -because what did he have to be jealous of?]

Are you really that different though? [Pointing out some obvious parallels] It's just your motivations that differ- you see someone you can manipulate for your own amusement, or to seek vengeance whereas he holds on to these lofty ideals of altruism... though I think he must derive some enjoyment from it as well. [They both could draw on hellish powers that someone like Kaiba preferred to deny exist too] Heh- I bet not. I have never tried to quantify the success rate.

Hmmm [She huffed and grunted as she ran to keep up. She was in good shape, surprisingly, but still this wasn't her favorite thing to do. Regardless, she was keeping pace enough to talk between breaths.]

Hah... you would say that. I suppose there's a similarity. We both mess with people. But what I do's a lot less than him. I just unleash someone's envy. He drags them into some big moral lesson that opens an epiphany or something. Lot more thorough. [Her envy peeking out again.] Personally... though... I'm not in it to change people.

I'm just in it for the envy, because that's what I am. we're long past me caring 'that' much.

[He should have done a better job at reading the room, and stopped running so they could hold a proper conversation.]

[A lot less, huh? It wasn't much in the way of details but it was important to note. Hearing her assessment of the spirit of the puzzle drove home just how pretentious his rival was. Who was he to determine who required a moral lesson, and deliver it whether it was requested or not? Heh- it was just like that spiky-haired twerp. Er- the slightly taller twerp, not the twerp who acted as host. Confusing, I know.] You both reveal the true nature of people. [Displaying his own biases and negative impression of humans in general] I can't say I blame you. Why waste your time for the betterment of someone else? That should be on them.

Heh, so my current running partner is the literal embodiment of envy. [Not like this was entirely new but he was amused by it]

Do you ever wonder if there might be something more fulfilling? [Says the guy that has said he gains strength from anger. Feeling a little oddly philosophical today.]

Oh that... [Huff huff] Ok, I'll give you that. I hate that he can reveal as much more than me of that sort of thing. I really only work with their jealousies. He clearly hits it all.

[She was snickering a little bit while she ran, though she was still huffing and panting to keep up her pace.]

And it should be yeah... not my job to fix it. Only really care about the helpless...

Hah... than being what I am? [She shrugged] I... I get someone asking me that here. Cole for example, but you? Maybe a little. Maybe here. Never thought about it at home. We are, what we are.

What about you? Ever thought about not being a dick?

[As the conversation proceeded, Kaiba was starting to feel as if he was admitting to too much. He was supposed to be staunchly against all this supernatural stuff, but the nightmares had brought back why he couldn't fully forget it or dismiss it.] Course you do- just like I hate how he's currently holding on to my title. [Smirking a bit in solidarity for their mutual envy of the person who wasn't currently present]

[Eventually he did slow his pace and jog to a halt. Taking a break was sometimes necessary and sometimes it was just more convenient]

Did you just say that you care about something? [Said as if he might have to kick her out of some unspoken club, but mostly meant in jest] Too many people rely on others to get anywhere, I can't stand it.

No judgment, just asking. [Some recent events might have softened up Kaiba just a tick, but he didn't want to risk her reading between the lines. Having the parallel drawn to the derpy ghost didn't really please him.] Mm. That makes sense. Different circumstances, different demands and needs.

Heh- [Smirking at this] Not a chance. [~~Maybe~~]

Not a chance... if I start seriously caring about anything, or any one of you? It'll just get taken away or I'll get jealous about it. That's asking for trouble and we both know it.

[It was such a bad idea. Such a recipe for disaster and she was absolutely not participating in that insanity.]

Why would you think I'd actually cave into that temptation, heh?

Any one of us? [Raising an eyebrow at that] Mm- it would be exceedingly inconvenient. [Readily agreeing with her assessment. Forming attachments here would only lead to confusion later. ~~Just disregard his own hypocrisy, thank you~~]

[Neither was he. Why should he? So whoever was behind this could get a good laugh? Never. He was smarter than that. He was no dog on a string]

...

[Before answering her, he looked down at her thoughtfully.]

... You ... brought it up. [It was true. Parsee originally had mentioning 'caring for the helpless', and that had been what Kaiba had referenced in his own questioning but she'd taken it further.]

There is at least someone you care about, isn't there? [The question came out like a calm accusation of betrayal, like the pair of them were meant to forever look down on others together and not form attachments. ~~The problem was, if Kaiba was at all honest on the subject he would have to admit there were those he genuinely cared about on some level... Parsee, oddly enough.. included~~]

If I were to admit that I've been a little confused about how I feel about someone lately because of what happened when my powers went haywire down there... would you agree to only use it to mock me in private and not tell anyone?

[Gods, that was almost an admission that she actually cared about someone. Worse, she cared about several people. Ren. Rinoa. Legion. Cole. Heaven forbid, she probably cared about this idiot in front of her for some strange reason. She just didn't want to admit it, for fear they would be taken away like Osomatsu had been.]

[This is crazy, had he actually read the situation correctly? He studied her features quietly as she spoke, but even he couldn't remain purely stoic with the way she ended with that question]

Deal.

[Since mocking was still on the table. In all seriousness he was curious as to whom she might be referring to, and a bit apprehensive about who it might be. Parsee wasn't always the best judge of character based on her history. Wait. This was sounding suspiciously like concern.]

There's no one I'd want to tell besides. Idle gossip isn't my thing.

[He could exercise discretion when necessary. So spill]

Gossip really isn't your thing, no. [She knew that much, but she still wanted this clear as her face heated up significantly. Settling and grunting, she was blushing furiously.]

So... in the dream. Most of the time, my powers didn't affect the people I saw, or I didn't notice they were active until I was alone. Rinoa got kind of a double dose.

I saw a shadow of her boyfriend. [Fidget] And I'm really jealous of him, so I am trying to figure out why.

You know, besides the fact that I'm always jealous.

[In his mind pressing her on this subject was like placing them back on equal footing, since she was well aware of his... you know. So it was one to one ratio; one part feeling oddly protective of Parsee, and one part self-defense]

I see.

[He voiced quietly and thoughtfully.]

I might have seen him in one of her memories- she was unloading a friendship speech on him and I couldn't roll my eyes any harder. [.. but that didn't say anything about how he was taking this current knowledge] Rinoa, huh? [A pause] I guess she's alright. [Ie. He more or less approved of the selection but he didn't want to openly admit that he felt favorably towards the lady in question] If it helps at all.. I didn't think much of her boyfriend. He didn't seem to know how to string two words together and he couldn't take a hint if you bashed him in the head with it.

Yeah... she does that. That girl is more stubborn than a mule when she decides she's going to be your friend. Trust me. I've had lamprey's who were easier to dislodge.

[Which was the weirdest thing to say about someone you were trying to decide if you wanted to ask out, but then again it was Parsee, and it was Rinoa... so it was arguably accurate.]

I wouldn't be shocked at some of the things she probably said to that taciturn, stuffy, emotionally stunted jackass. [Fidget] She has a type, you know. And apparently I qualify as being a little like him. More chatty, but we're both emotionally stunted wrecking balls of people, and she likes projects to take care of.

...

I really hope he doesn't show up, regardless of what I decide. I don't want her to have to make uncomfortable choices, and I think you and I both know I'll force her to make them.

[Said with a grimace:] I don't need to take your word for it.. [.. implying that he had personally experienced some variation thereof.]

[Neither one of them was being that openly complimentary, and yet they had both been otherwise impressed by Rinoa in some fashion. ~~This is just how people like them communicate~~.]

I just bet you wouldn't. What sort of lines did she feed you? [Not entirely sure he wanted to hear them related secondhand, but he already put the question out there] A type? [Vaguely wondering if the same could be said about him, did he have a type? ...but.. the Ann Takamaki thing was a unique circumstance, so no. After hearing the explanation he sighed emphatically and pressed a hand to his face before dragging it downwards.] I better not be another one of her projects. [Though all the data combined did make it seem like he would fit the bill from someone else's perspective]

...

That would certainly place a damper on things, and it could blow up in your face. I think there's been enough drama here without adding more to it. [There was another brief pause before he hazarded another question] So- what are you going to do about it?

Edited 2021-01-29 08:52 (UTC)

[Oh the look he got when he said 'I better not be another one of her projects.' Those eyes flared up and there was a glimmer of green there, teeth going on edge. Her fingers clenched and she looked right about to say something in that instant, body quivering and when she spoke, it was with clipped tones.]

You're not. I'm her project here.

[Where did that come from? Oh, it was obvious. He was a taciturn, difficult, troubled man with an acrid, nasty personality. Of course he was a project for Rinoa, someone she felt she could become friends with. Parsee didn't even have to guess whether he was or not. She knew he'd be on her list very easily, and that was a flare of unbridled, obvious jealousy and possessiveness that sparked. She had to calm herself pretty visibly there for a second, breathing through her teeth as she ground them. It worked eventually because she reminded herself 'He has Ann' about twenty times.

Fuck, was she actually interested in her, or was this just how she was? She couldn't tell sometimes, and that was the problem, because she probably would have gotten that way if they were just friends too. She'd pulled that on Ren at least once over Akechi, after all. Breathing in and out, her pulse started to fade and the color was back to normal.]

I'm not sure. Something. I... I need to talk to her.

[The atmosphere seemed to shift in that instance, as the change swept over Parsee. He'd seen a similar look from her before though it had been months prior it had a lasting impression. Muscles tensing, and blue-eyes locked on her partially glowing orbs he couldn't help but feel apprehensive. She had no real power here, or at least she didn't and providing that hadn't changed he needn't be concerned by this exchange. He'd struck a nerve, for once it was devoid of intent]

Don't get bent out of shape, over an offhanded remark.

[Stopping himself from further elucidation, even if his interests lay elsewhere he wasn't yet in the habit of voicing it. Had he been able to hear that assessment he might have found a few choice adjectives share about her. It wasn't as if Parsee was the easiest person to get along with either. Still, in her case he didn't really need to add further insult, she had a bad habit of tearing herself down. Somehow, his suggestion didn't seem to draw out the desired effect. It was evident that his current companion was struggling to get under control and it was likely in his best interest to give her the time to do so.

All this over what sounded like a crush? Maybe he should have expected that something so miniscule could set her off, but it was still jarring to witness. It's as if she was on the verge of losing all reason, blinded by a maelstrom of emotions. After several anxious moments, she resumed some normalcy.]

I can't claim to be an expert on this subject. [Admitting one of his rare shortcomings..] .. but that would be in your best interest. You can't assume that she's somehow aware of your... feelings.

Might want to bring it up without turning into a literal green-eyed monster however- just a friendly word of advice.

Edited 2021-02-03 11:04 (UTC)

[The glitter in her eyes was the extent of it. Right now, all she could do was the strange blessing (or curse, though she hadn't realized that yet) that any spirit could do. But it was good that he noticed and caught onto her moods, even if they were pretty apparent. She growled at his reply, though her stiffness slackened. An off-hand comment meant that he wasn't being serious, so she had less to worry about.

Her breathing eased and she looked at him for a long moment. When her hands unclenched, she popped her fingers with her thumbs and breathed out a protracted, drawn out sigh. Her eyes took on a level, blase look while her lips quirked into a thin smile that didn't meet her eyes. It was the type of behavior of someone putting up mental walls to protect from saying too much, trying not to seem to effected even if it was too late and the cat was out of the bag.]

If even the great Seto Kaiba's giving good relationship advice, maybe I should listen for a minute. I'll talk to her... and that won't be coming out if I can help it. She already had to deal with that part of me enough and she didn't run. I don't want to push my luck.

[Although Kaiba was vaguely aware that some people were going through adaptations to fit the concepts of species here, he didn't know the full extent of what processes they were going through or what abilities came with it. He, himself, remained as ever normal, which would likely continue throughout the duration of his stay. Personally, he preferred to remain that way, but he was resentful of the lack of benefits that came from his position. There's always a silver lining? Ha more like there never is a silver lining. Yes, when he'd uttered those words so carelessly he hadn't considered the effect they would have on Parsee. A personal fault of his, always saying what was on his mind before fully assessing the ramifications for it.

As the tension started to decrease, he too relaxed in turn. He recognized what she was doing since it was precisely something he would do if roles were reversed. Let her rebuild her defenses.

Even though she didn't mean it- he kind of got some amusement out of being called by his proper title "the great", and one corner of his lips quirked upwards]

Mm. That explains a lot actually. [Since the implications were far-reaching as to what went down between the two girls. If Rinoa had seen Parsee at her worst and endured through the experience it wouldn't have been hard to forge a relationship of trust between them. Acceptance- was an elusive thing that many wanted to obtain for themselves, even if they didn't recognize it at first.] Rinoa, is remarkably tolerant and patient. No matter the outcome, she should hear you out and I can't envision her reacting adversely. [Sure, she might not reciprocate but she wouldn't tear Parsee's heart out and smash it under the heels of her shoes either] .. You just have to make yourself more appealing than the mia boyfriend so she forgets all about him. [If Rinoa could even go for a girl that is. He didn't want to tell Parsee how much the deck was stacked against her, since he didn't want to reignite her ire ~~or be the one to pull her heart out and crush it under the heel of his boots.....cough~~]

S...o this will sound weird. If I want her, that way? Which I'm not saying that I do. But if I do? I want to replace him. To be her world, her personal project. but I don't want to steal her away from him.

...

If they weren't just courting, if they were married, I'd have forced myself to drop it. I'd be jealous, but I'd just deal. I... I can't do that to someone else. I just can't.

[It wasn't obvious, but the 'I can't be the 'other woman' in a dying marriage was a real sign that she was shifting. On the one hand? It was probably something she'd have felt no matter what. She couldn't be the person who broke a marriage up, not that way. In the old days, she'd demanded what she assumed to be unfaithful relationships to shatter out of jealousy when they crossed her bridge. But she wasn't ever the other woman. She bred jealousy. She threatened wrath. She didn't make people cheat. This ... could only happen because Cloud wans't her husband, because he wasn't actually here.

But the fact that she SAID it, meant that she was admitting that fidelity mattered to her, as did her jealousies. She cared about how much she got envious, but she also cared about a house being stable. Polyamorous if they could pull it off. Two girls, two guys, it didn't matter. If they'd committed, she didn't want it breaking off, especially not because someone was a shit and cheating. And that was becoming important, which hinted that her nature wasn't changing, but what she was focusing on in that nature was.]

She probably needs to figure out if she's bi too.

[Oh, and she just flat out said that.]

...
...

Apparently I might be. Which should have been obvious because of Yuugi, but whatever.

...

[After an extended pause he exhaled the breath he hadn't even realized he'd been holding.]

This all sounds weird to me, I thought both of us were beyond this teenage romance drama. [.. and yet, here they are. That being said Kaiba tried to understand it from her perspective and he thought he had a pretty good idea where her apprehension was stemming from] You don't want to be the other woman. Heh- I get that. It's not as if I'm someone who wants to share the spotlight either. [Saying it this way made it easier to admit. He wanted to be the only man in Ann's life too, and considering how so many of her friends were male..]

[He grew silent as she fretted over it further. Though he had interpreted the situation incorrectly in one way, but he had still arrived at the same conclusion. He chalked it up to pride and possessiveness, coupled with not wanting to engage in the sort of behavior that transformed her into a being that embodied jealousy. Pride was more his thing, than hers. The point being it would be sinking to a new low that even Parsee couldn't commit to.]

Now I wish I'd bothered to ask more about their connection.. [So he might be able to alleviate some of her doubts]

[When she said that next part Kaiba choked on literally nothing but the air he didn't need to breath. Once he composed himself, his cheeks were lightly tinted and he couldn't make direct eye contact]

Ah- yeah. I would think that's essential.

[Then he looked back and squinted at her]

That can't be the Yugi I'm thinking. [Since he's male and Parsee has only seen him in visions]

Oh... I'm certain they're only dating. She let that slip a couple times, so I know the status of their relationship. That isn't a worry.

...

And you're close enough for my comfort. It's definitely related. There was another woman in my life. I don't want to be that.

[She sighed, dragging her fingers through her hair. He was really close. Close enough that there was no need to dwell or correct him, not when the topic itself was damned nerve-wracking.]

Mmm? Oh, no. Yuugi [She stressed the double u] Hosigama. An oni back home who watches the streets in Old Hell. Definitely not your little pyramid lover.

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