(open) You're so quiet

[silentmagician]

Who: Yugi + O P E N (+ closed prompts as they come into existence...)
What: Catch-all, some general exploration for now
Where: Various locations
When: Around the first weeks of March-ish
Content Warnings: N/A for now, but will update if anything pops up



[Open top-level prompts below unless otherwise specified! Feel free to PM or catch me on keihatsu for a specific prompt]!

Comments

@ heavenly blanc bar & café (closed to kaiba)

[silentmagician]

[Kaiba's idea is a good one, what with the weather catching them both off guard once each in barely any time at all and with Yugi not particularly wanting to discover right then what 'less hospitable creatures' entailed: continue their conversation indoors, and somewhere with warm drinks at that.

He could have been nicer about it rather than just... walking away but. Well. That part wasn't really unexpected. It was maybe even a bit nostalgic.

It is this way that Yugi finds himself sitting at a little table in a cozy corner of the building, nursing a cup of tea in front of one (1) Seto Kaiba with the intention of exchanging information. At least, that's mostly the intention. He may also be secretly glad to have something a little less abrupt so that he can get a good look at this Kaiba who has been here 'what feels like months' and gauge how he is. And maybe, also, just a little bit, to enjoy the kind of casual setting they never got back home.]

After that weather, I wasn't really expecting the places here to look so normal. [Mentioned offhandedly, delaying the exchange.] It's nice though.

[How strange that it takes being sent to another land that may or may not transcend time and space or erase memories to be in a position to sit down with him in a café, conversing without the potential of a duel in sight.]

[blue_eyed_obsession]

[The weather wasn't the only thing to catch Kaiba off guard- the presence of the shorter duelist was enough of a surprise for him. For the longest time the void seemed set on tormenting only one Domino denizen, just what sort of game was it playing at now by shifting it's focus? At least the journey to the café had been uneventful, once inside however something just felt off. Emptier than usual, somehow. Not allowing himself much time to focus on this sensation it wasn't long before the pair of them had their respective drinks of choice. Even if Kaiba had to resort to preparing his own coffee.

Nicer wasn't generally in Kaiba's vocabulary. No. Yugi was meant to know what those actions meant and comply; which he had.

You consider this.... normal? [Waving a hand to indicate that perhaps there was something peculiar about this structure Yugi hadn't considered. The mismatched menus and lighting weren't exactly the most damning evidence, but the exterior looked more rough than the interior with the thick pipes running in and out of the building and the general look of dilapidation. Aside from that, despite having been cobbled together via the combination of Café Leblanc and 7th Heaven it wasn't all that bizarre. Kaiba was nitpicking.]

[The unusual circumstances had led to this almost unnatural scenario. He certainly never envisioned himself sitting casually across from Yugi Mutou to have a chat. Outwardly there wasn't really a noticeable difference in Kaiba. Internally was another story. He would be lying if he said this place hadn't had an effect on him, and lying about that was almost a certainty.]

Let's get some of the more obvious questions out of the way first. [Sitting him his chair with both his arms and legs crossed, he let his steaming cup of coffee rest on the table as he spoke] No one knows who is behind this or what's truly going on. Originally there wasn't any sort of landscape, there was nothing but white for as far as the eye can see. Progressively over time the topography has altered and various establishments and creatures just appeared.. there is one common thread between them, and that is they represent ideas contributed by those gathered here but warped and combined into new creations. Like this café we're sitting in as elements from two different businesses infused into each other.

I should note that the natural laws don't always apply in the manner we would expect them too either. For a time, sleep and sustenance were unnecessary now both are required and there were consequences for having shirked in tending to these basic needs beforehand. [Yeah... not having to eat or sleep suited Kaiba just fine so it was a rude awakening] I suspect this is a highly advanced simulation of some kind, but the consensus among the others tends to disagree with me.

[silentmagician]

[Yugi lightly scolds - yes, actually scolds - Kaiba after he starts gesturing around them.]

You're nitpicking.

[An accusation, and maybe also a little bit of proof that This Yugi wasn't from the same place in time as This Kaiba. Though it certainly wouldn't help to rule out that it wasn't Yugi at all, if he was so inclined to believe that theory.]

[Still, Yugi shrugs, lets the token (and not-at-all very convincing) frown fall off his face after a moment.] It's not exactly what you'd find in Domino, but it looks like a regular building with some odd decorating choices. I wasn't expecting a café to just... be here.

[But that's all he has to say about that. Now it's time to listen to Kaiba explain the laws of the Void to him. And, at the very least, Yugi does seem to be listening intently, trying to understand the rules of this game that he is now being forced to play. He sips at his tea while nodding along. It's another puzzle, but this is the first one in quite a long time that he has had to face without his closest ally to bounce ideas off of. Life had been so normal since then. Yugi didn't think it would be abnormal again but, well, here they were.]

You think this is a simulation? [He seems to mull over that for a moment during a sip, looking across at the empty tables behind Kaiba.] It wouldn't be the strangest thing. Not like we haven't dealt with something like that before, but... who would have that kind of technology? Outside of... [Well, KaibaCorp?]

[blue_eyed_obsession]

[That mild reproach actually managed to shut Kaiba up for a moment, as he stared down at the other male. He's still not sure he likes this bold streak of Yugi's]

...

[Despite his accusations that stemmed from denial earlier, Kaiba was inclined to believe that this was the real Yugi. No recreations have been this close to the genuine article, so unless there's been a significant jump in the technology it only stood to reason.]

Heh, there's no Burger world here. That's for sure- that place was more your style wasn't it? [Does it sound like he's judging your culinary choices? Because he is]

[When he's not interrupted it's appreciated since he would have detested having to repeat any portion of it. Plus there was a lot of information to impart even if this was an abridged version. When he finally paused to take a breath, he reached out to draw his coffee mug to his lips. It was still steaming from having been freshly brewed and it was devoid of any ingredients that would have made it more palatable for those that preferred the flavor to be less bitter.]

It would account for most of the inconsistencies and oddities if they can be contributed to poor coding, wouldn't it? [Just waiting for Yugi to voice a response to the contrary] You think I haven't considered that possibility before? I'm aware that this could be an inside job. With as many associates as my company employs it would have been exceedingly difficult to get past all the security measures but not impossible... especially since my company was being threatened by a corporate takeover at the time. [A beat as he hastily amends] My time.

It wouldn't be the first time I was the victim of disloyalty... I should fire everyone and start fresh. [Not really meaning those words.... maybe]

[silentmagician]

I mean, I wouldn't say no to one...

[You know, if we're being honest and all. Judge away, Seto Kaiba. More burgers and fries for Yugi.

It brings up an interesting point though. No, there is no Burger World here (at least, not as far as he knows), but what about...] You said that the things here represent ideas from people that are already here. Is there anything from you then?

[The drinks appear to be a good idea. They allow for natural lulls, enough time for Yugi to take in the information, which... he really does appreciate Kaiba providing. It makes sense that he is, makes sense that they should work together in some capacity, and Kaiba would get something from it he wanted as well (see: the future), but at the end of the day he wasn't obligated to provide Yugi with anything and could just as easily told him to fend for himself.

He wrinkles his nose a bit unconsciously at the smell of the coffee. Yugi will stick with his significantly less bitter tea, thanks.]

I guess that makes sense, but... would it account for the different people then, if there's anyone that wouldn't recognize Domino? [ It's less challenging Kaiba's theory and more genuinely curious what the answer would be. Yugi might be the King of Games, but Kaiba would always be the best source of information on technology. Especially if it was related to his own.] And I'm not sure that accounts for our time-skip problem.

... For the record, I don't know whether there's that kind of threat in my time. Things have been quiet since... they've been quiet for a while. So, I wouldn't know what's happening with KaibaCorp. [While Yugi wouldn't hesitate to call Kaiba a friend, outside of dueling or saving the world they lived in entirely different spheres.] I guessed maybe you were preparing a tournament, but for all I know something could be happening inside your company again.

[blue_eyed_obsession]

I just bet you wouldn't.

[Despite the negative overtones of his response, there was actually some mild relief that Yugi might have changed, but not everything about him had.]

Consequently, the cuisine here is limited in range and low caliber but plentiful in quantity. [No filet mignon with froi gras, eh Kaiba?] Technically you could eat anything with no ill effects but I wouldn't advice it since that could suddenly change without warning. MarketZone has Korean barbeque, sushi, etc.. [What else was there.] This place serves curry.. [Infusing the name of the dish with such a level of disgust] .. but it could also manage the basics. The Lemon Cello church has cake.. [Throwing that in there as an aside since someone he knew was more keen on sweets than him] .. What am I, a phone directory? You'll figure it out..

[Unwittingly the next question hits a sensitive subject. Placing his coffee mug back on the table with more force than necessary it's a wonder that it doesn't crack] No. [Technically nothing he would recognize or acknowledge if he did. The part-dragon magickarps] Actually.. I guess that's not entirely true any longer. My jet appeared here recently. [You know- the one ostentatiously shaped like a Blue-Eyes White Dragon]

[This would be a mutually beneficial team up in the long run, Kaiba had to know that too]

[How dare you punch those holes in his logic] Potentially, if the person behind this was trying to draw attention away from themself.. but.. I get the point. The more complicated the scheme the less feasible. [It wasn't something he hadn't considered, but none of this could be real. That would be utterly ridiculous. Somehow- someway- technology was at the heart of it] I have learned that some of the places others claim to be from can also boast advanced technology, some that would also have the capability to create the illusion of an entire landscape. [Ie. The real Mementos. It was reached via a phone app and sounded like some intense augmented reality.] I'm not sure either- now that that's a thing.

So no fresh leads.. [Is basically what Yugi was telling him] I should be so lucky. [Huffing and using this next pause to down more coffee]

[silentmagician]

[Kaiba's negativity aside, Yugi doesn't seem to mind the comment. It's easy to let something familiar wash over the conversation since this place was decidedly not that - familiar. Same with the list of food options that he starts to list without any prompting from Yugi thank you very much. He might even look a bit pleased by the end (or, by what Kaiba declares to be the end). At least one of those things didn't seem like his usual fare.]

Don't worry, I'm sure I can figure that part out. But if the curry's that bad I might avoid it for a bit...

[Unfortunately, that's the end of that wash of calm when Kaiba slams the mug on the table. Yugi jumps a little. Some things haven't changed, but it only lasts as long as it takes for Kaiba to mention he has his flippin' jet here.] Sorry, sorry, it was just a question. But having your jet is pretty big! [But...]... but it obviously hasn't been able to get you out. Or you wouldn't be here, right? [Moreso looking for confirmation than anything else with that question.]

No fresh leads. [Agreed, with a nod. But, ever the pacifist:] But it doesn't rule out your simulation idea either. The fact that it doesn't cut down on the possibilities is important too, right? That still leaves a virtual world in play, and this somehow being caused by your own or someone else's technology with someone... bringing us along for the ride, I guess. Unless the Items are involved again.

[Except none of those still addressed the 'two different time periods' dilemma. One thing at a time.]

[blue_eyed_obsession]

[Whether he admitted it or not, Kaiba had been craving a smidgen of normalcy, and Yugi apparently was going to be the one providing it. Kaiba really had no room to complain about offering up additional information without prompting but he was always skilled about complaining about anything and everything. Also, he might have been a little concerned for his companion's wellbeing. Maybe. Food was important since if one didn't consume enough of it they could lay incapacitated until either they were discovered by another person or creature and some of the creatures weren't particular about what or who they chomped on. In other words, don't screw this up Yugi.]

It's not that it's bad- just that... it's curry.

[That dish especially didn't appeal to this fussy eater.]

[Kaiba was nothing if not perpetually inconsistent with his moods] It is fully functional too- but now runs on water. [Giving Yugi a moment to mull that over] You got it.

Mm. [Humming to that confirmation. When the metaphorical olive branch was extended he pressed an index finger and thumb to his face staring at Yugi as if he was trying to bore a hole through him.] If you were anyone else, I'd think you were trying to patronize me. I get it. We technically don't have enough facts to say with utmost certainty what is going on here. [You may be the only person he's admitted this too Yugi...] We can't ... rule out anything. No matter how moronic it might seem.

[silentmagician]

[Geez it's like Kaiba thinks Yugi doesn't know how to feed himself. Funny coming from the guy who's diet is probably based around coffee and sarcasm.

Yugi doesn't judge him on the curry - maybe he's a little bolder than what Kaiba was used to, but he's not meaner. Just nods and gives a helpless shrug. No curry for Kaiba then.] Got it, you just don't like it then. [That's going in the friendship information bank. But that's not all - it comes out a bit teasing, and yet:] Hope you like burgers better. If I'm going to be responsible for bringing any food option, that's... that's probably it.

[Yeah he's going to need that moment to mull over the fact the jet runs on water, of all things.] That's... convenient. I guess? What happens if you try to leave with it?

I appreciate the vote of confidence. [No one's trying to patronize anyone right now, and Yugi looks pleased at the comment, resting his elbow on the table and his chin in his palm while listening to Kaiba.] That's right. We'll figure out how it all fits together. Maybe we just need to wait for a few more of those facts. [You know, like a puzzle...] And if that is the case, then I'm sorry you've had to go through it all longer than I'll need to.

[blue_eyed_obsession]

[Look- you'd be surprised how filling coffee and sarcasm can be, also if you ever got a significant growth spurt maybe Kaiba wouldn't be treating you like a child.]

It should come as no surprise. [It's a dish someone lowly like Wheeler likely enjoyed. At least he had the decency not to insult Yugi's absent friends outloud just yet.] That would be a marginal improvement but it depends on the quality of the meat. [Then after another moment he had a terrible thought] .. but before you start salivating over the idea there's no guarantee that those burgers wouldn't get crossed with something unappetizing or grow eyes. [There are berries here with eyes Yugi. Berries]

Cost effective, too. If only it could run on something so simple all the time. [Jet fuel is expensive. Not that he couldn't afford it but any costs he could cut would mean that money could be poured into other projects] Nothing. If you travel out into the expanse of white, you can just fly for hours through the same terrain without ever finding an escape route. I wouldn't recommend it either, since there would also be no way to refuel.

Hrn. [Grunting a bit at that, like maybe he thought he'd said too much but he didn't correct it. Yes, Yugi, to some degree he trusts you.] It's still going to take some getting used to... all this.. we business. [Just letting you know..] What are you apologizing for? It's not like you had anything to do with it. [Waving away the sympathy like a bad habit] There's something else you need to know too.. [..but the next portion was considerably more difficult to put into words. Training his eyes on Yugi, there was a brief delay before he said anything further. Whatever he was about to say was serious and it required the other' full attention.] .. Occasionally various phenomenon will occur with disastrous results- most have been more psychological but the latest involved physical trauma.

[silentmagician]

[Ah, so, forever then. Got it. Whatever, it's fine.

But destroying the innocent perfection of a good burger is absolutely not fine. That has Yugi looking a bit terrified, out of everything he's been told about this place so far.] Please tell me that's a joke. So I can tell you to not even joke about that.

[Somehow, it doesn't really sound like a joke...]

Well, I'm not about to steal your jet anytime soon, so I'll take your word for it. [Trusting as ever. But Kaiba likely wouldn't be here if that was a lie anyway.]

[Yugi nods a bit at that, understanding as always and not at all judgemental. In either event, Kaiba is the closest thing he has to a group of friends right now. Which will also take some getting used to.] Take your time then. You can think of it as putting each of our strengths to good use, if that makes it easier. That's why you're sharing the information you have, right? Because I have something you want too. 'We' isn't much different from that. [If Kaiba didn't want to use the dreaded F-word (friends; it's friends) or allow for sympathy, then maybe this would appeal to him instead. Yugi sits up a little straighter at his last comment, however.] Phenomenon like what? I'm guessing it's more than just some bad weather if it's actually causing trauma.

[blue_eyed_obsession]

[Or until he is forced to admit that Yugi is not inferior to his deeper voiced and absent counterpart]

[Kaiba was only a little surprised that his suggestion had caused such a level of fear to play over Yugi's features. Had he underestimated just how important the junk food was to his companion? Apparently so.] It's not, but I'll stop thinking about it as a possibility to decrease the likelihood of it occuring. [Not that he planned on sparing the food stuff another thought as it anyway.] Besides, it doesn't always happen that way, or there wouldn't be anything edible present.

[It sure wasn't]

I'm not sure you could even see over the edge of the cockpit....[le. Stealing it wouldn't have served Yugi much purpose as it was, and he hadn't the experience to pilot it himself. After a pause he astonished himself with what he was about to offer up.] You can see for yourself sometime.. but I'd be the one in front of the controls. [There you go, a free ride]

[It's peculiar to see Yugi alone, and it has to be doubly jarring for him to be without his entourage. ] That was always the intention, so it's not much of a stretch [Not one for feigning affection, or admitting to any that might already been present in some form. ] Right. I want to know more about what supposedly comes later. There's a possibility that I'll find a way to retain these memories and be able to capitalize on them when I return to Domino and I intend to fully take advantage of any advanced knowledge you can impart [It did seem to do the trick. ] The first major incident involved memories getting transmitted to the wrong people. In order to reclaim them, we had to discuss the contents of those lost memories... [... And
considering how much there was to hate about his past, Kaiba hadn't missed them but he also didn't want anyone else to keep what was rightfully his] The next focused on nightmares that you could fully interact with the third involved plants growing inside of people if they were either injured or had some emotional baggage the void deemed as something they should share.

When you think about it. the common theme seems undeniable. It's all about having to be an open book... essentially. [ Something Kaiba never aspired to be] You should get along fine. [Sounding a little envious]

[silentmagician]

[That will come in time... maybe... Out of the two of them, at least Yugi didn't peace out to the afterlife. That's gotta count for something.]

I mean... fair. I just really don't want something I like to eat to suddenly have eyes on it, you know? [There's an awkward chuckle. Yugi doesn't think he's asking for too much here. Except he might be, given everything Kaiba has been freely telling him so far.]

[Oh, good. Short jokes. His favourite. Luckily, he doesn't seem bothered by it at all in the face of being offered a ride on said jet anyway. In fact he looks pretty darn excited.] I hope that one isn't a joke. I'm definitely going to take you up on that some time, just so I can see for myself.

It's a little more than 'supposedly', I promise. [He won't be taking that one lying down, after all. It's the one thing he won't hesitate to fight back on.] But I'll try to be that open book you seem to think I am, and tell you anything you like. Some things might be more... difficult to explain than others. You've been open with me though, so I'll do my best! [Earnest as ever, but even an outsider would agree that fair was fair in this case. Kaiba had been nothing but candid, as far as Yugi could tell. But he listens to the description of these dreaded 'phenomena.' Kaiba is right, it sounds like the common thread is being 'open', but the other one, and the one Yugi is perhaps a little more concerned about is--] They also all sound like they have to do with exploring memories, which... isn't surprising, considering what you've said about this place taking and trying to use ideas from people brought here. [Yugi might be an 'open book', but he has some particular thoughts about memories and the taking and twisting and sharing thereof.] Those should stay where they belong. I don't mind if my memories have to be shared when they're just me, but... when they involve other people [other pharaohs or CEOs or friends or villains' painful thoughts] those aren't mine to share.

[A pause, before he ponders his next move. Like any good duelist.] Like I said earlier, Dartz is done with. There's nothing else to do on that front. That's probably as good a place as any to start.

[blue_eyed_obsession]

[Most likely it would, since Kaiba would undoubtedly be forced to see Yugi as an individual here ]

I can't think of anyone who would. [Spoken blandly as if it it should have been considered a universal truth that hadn't required commentary.]

[At least there was some reward at the end for Yugi, after enduring the joke about his stature. It wasn't an offer Kaiba extended to just anyone either.] Mm. [Humming his confirmation rather than vocalizing it. It hadn't been meant as a joke or a tease.] You've.. never been up in a private jet before, have you? [Normally he wouldn't have asked but this Yugi might have different experiences than what you'd expect]

[As Yugi proceeded to meander through his assurances, Kaiba drained his coffee mug and debated a second looking almost longingly at the kitchenette ] I'm sure that last part is accurate. [Snapping his attention back to the other male ] You never could stay out of trouble, or get mixed up in the most ludicrous schemes. [Appreciating that information would be mutually shared ] Yeah- there's that too. [The possibilities of what this place could do with a person's thoughts were endless and the contortions were almost never to anyone's benefit. Ah, pessimism. Hearing Yugi's misgivings, Kaiba reached up to rub the space just behind his right ear] About that... The involving other people thing. Don't be too surprised if people here act as if they've seen you before. [A pause ] or... Confuse you for... him . [Maybe Kaiba should have been considering running interference to make a few explanations to the others here himself.. ]

What happens to the dragon cards? [Did he get to keep the ultra rare card this time? Clearing this was the most crucial portion of that incident. Well.. that and..] The takeover gets prevented?

[silentmagician]

[Yugi laughs at that - not mocking, but friendly.] Why, did you want to be the first? It wasn't really a jet, but Pegasus flew us over to America. I'll let you know now I don't suddenly have my own where I'm from either. It's just me and Grandpa in the game shop, same as always. [Or, same as always when they weren't trying to save the world or retrieve a certain pharaoh's long lost memories. No biggie.

There's a shoo-shoo motion before he continues. He caught that almost-longing look.] I'm not going anywhere, and I'm betting we have a lot more to go through, so get a drink if you want it. [It's said because it's true, but also because... he wants a moment to take in what Kaiba said. He hasn't been confused for anyone in a while, outside of fans wanting an autograph from the King of Games and... well, technically that was still him. Something feels a little colder knowing he might have to go through that again.

But whatever Kaiba does about his caffeine situation - when it's settled, Yugi launches straight back into their exchange, no longer pensive, just curious and confused.] Why? I haven't been here before. And... he hasn't either? [It's supposed to come out as a statement, but most definitely sounds like a (hopeful) question.]

No cards as a souvenir, sorry. [He shakes his head.] You still have KaibaCorp, still CEO as far as I know. You even run a tournament afterwards, though you don't participate in it and there's an entrant that tries to get on your bad side... You sure do have a lot of people that have it out for you.

[blue_eyed_obsession]

[Kaiba took it in the way it was intended] I'm not that petty, Yugi. [Rolling his eyes before explaining] A jet isn't like a private plane, there's certain things you need to know about riding in one before take off. [Got to dot those i's and cross those t's, and sign those waivers. cough.] Sounds... [Nice, boring, humdrum? Opting not to finish his statement he swiftly moved on] I'm only a little surprised you would trust Pegasus after everything that came before.

[Eying the hand gesture dubiously, Kaiba just shook his head before going to refill his cup, clearly not in the habit of being shooed. While he was at the counter, he checked the café supplies, debating if any of this would be missed if he took some of it 'home'. The answer was probably that it wouldn't be. When he returned, he placed the mug down first before he resumed his seat] That's accurate. [Was all Kaiba would say initially, since expanding on it would reveal more about himself than he wanted to admit. There was no getting around it though. He shifted in his seat, then finally broke the silence] The pair of you have been in my memories on one or more occasion. [It's not as if he thinks about you two all the time or anything. Cough] Look- there's no need to fixate on that. It's not peculiar for that to be true.. [Maybe trying a little too hard to push on past this]

Feh. Figures. After everything they put us through. [Why did they always have to be teased with the prospect of collecting rare cards only to have them snatched away in the end?] I knew I would come out on top in the end. [Sure, that's why you asked about it Kaiba] I was going to say I'm surprised it wasn't more than one entrant that caused issues. [He knows what he is] Let me give you some words of advice Yugi, success breeds discontent in other's. There's always going to be someone that wants to take you down. [Pause] Tell me Wheeler doesn't find a way to butt into this next tournament.

[silentmagician]

[Excuse me Seto 'I blew up a tower after I lost my own tournament' Kaiba, you are so that petty. On the other hand, Yugi is not so petty as to mention that out loud. The only thing he says showcases how awfully trusting he is:] Pegasus changed since Duelist Kingdom. He's different now. [You know, like some CEOs.] The only issue was that we didn't really get a return trip... But it worked out in the end

[Honestly? It doesn't really surprise him that they're in Kaiba's memories, and knowing what happens after Dartz and Atlantis makes that all the more obvious it would be the case. The mind crush alone is probably reason enough, actually. Kaiba seems to be overcompensating for it though, so Yugi offers a small smile and tries to be reassuring.] Don't worry, I'm not reading anything into it. I know we've been through a lot, so it makes sense that we would be there. And I know how [fixated obsessed] single-minded you were about trying to duel him. Among other things.

You did really well. We'd all still be in a world of trouble if you and Jounouchi weren't there. [You know, your favourite person in the world.] I mean, there were... a few that were... interesting... characters? [A pause for a moment as he debates whether that's the right word for all of those people, but. Hm. What else is there to say about them?] Jounouchi was invited. The person in charge invited him himself, so you'll have to take it up with the boss. Did I mention this was your tournament? [He did, like ten seconds ago. And he knows it.]

[blue_eyed_obsession]

[That was different. That tower had history. He's totally that petty. Aren't you from the future, shouldn't you be over the whole blowing up a tower thing? Like anyone in their right mind is just going to forget such a harrowing experience] I deal with him because I have to. [Not saying whether he agreed with the assessment or not. Duel Monsters was created by Industrial Illusions the association was necessary for Kaiba's aims. Yugi, your grandpa gets kidnapped almost as often as Mokuba does...]

[Kaiba was making too big a deal about it, but he found it uncomfortable to mention just quite how often Yugi or his counterpart might have come up. The mind crush had been included in his nightmares, the battle in his holographic coliseum had been one of the memories shared, and the reunion with Mokuba in Duelist Kingdom where he had thanked this Yugi for the role he played and promised that he would be compensated for as much.. just to list a few.] I wasn't concerned. [He lied but in a flat unwavering tone] Mm. There's no getting entirely around it. Not every memory involved the pair of you. [Some were from before then, in his youth.]

Really well seems like an overstatement considering where I ended up. [He know he lost in that tag duel, but the pharaoh had carried on. He crinkled his nose when Wheeler was included in the praise.] Must have involved duelists you never got to run across in Domino. [Given that assessment] It didn't bear repeating Yugi, I didn't forget whose tournament it was. [Still- he took a moment to digest that truth bomb] Someone must have dropped out and I was on a strict deadline, because otherwise I can't imagine ever doing that. [One day, one day.. he's going to have to acknowledge that Joey isn't a terrible duelist. That day isn't today]

[silentmagician]

[Oh, he's over it. But a good duelist keeps these things in mind, just in case. Like when needing evidence to confirm whether someone is or is not petty. Like now.] No one's expecting either of us to become his best friend after everything. But he did get me and my friends where we needed to be. He was reliable when he was given an opportunity.

[Yugi unfortunately (fortunately?) cannot read minds, so the amount of time they have come up in memories here or the source or extent of Kaiba's discomfort isn't super apparent. I don't doubt it. We've only known each other for so long. I would expect Mokuba to be in there even more. [And on top of that, while he doesn't mention it out loud, Yugi had been there for the Noa shenanigans and all that it entailed (see: Gozaburo). Kaiba certainly had a number of memories to draw from that didn't include him or Atem.]

[He shakes his head.] No, you had to be there. We all did. That was the point. If one of us hadn't, things may have gone differently. [ And then he shoots another frown. Don't you even think about talking bad about Jounouchi.] In either event, by the end of the tournament KaibaCorp isn't any worse for wear, from what I'm aware of. I mean, maybe you didn't tell us anything more, I can't be sure. [A pause, and then almost as an afterthought:] Oh, and the Other Me wins in the finals, so you don't have to worry about the title going anywhere because of the tournament.