(open, kind of!) Oh, I'm going to mess this up

[puzzlingly]

Who: Atem and peeps. Blue team + Eleven; Barry; Delmar; Rey who is not Rey atm and you (open?). Open and closed prompts inside.
What: Atem comes back from his orb vacations and finds out that his house has been taken over by some nerds. Then he stumbles upon a Barry? Delmar and him talk~ He finds Rey's item. Yeah stuff.
Where: House 6-1; Barry's living space, wherever that is; Delmar's house and idk the city~
When: March 18th-19th.
Warnings: None.


march 18th | night | house 6-1 | open to Blue Team + Eleven

「He smells... And kind of hurts, everything hurts, but mostly, he smells. It's not like there are many place to wash clothes and take a bath out there in the desert, and sleeping under the stars it's not as cute as they describe it in the movies! Maybe it was the little orb full of hopeful energy what made him hurry back instead of dragging out his stay out there. It was fun, it gave him a lot to think about, but it's time to come back to reality. Unfortunately that reality, is Hadriel.

With the orb finally delivered at Hope's temple and after very important text was sent, he's free, eager to get home and get the longest bath ever, he's gonna stay there until he becomes a prune!

But yeah, when he gets home, the first thing that is a little strange is that the front door is in fact, locked. Did he actually lock it? He can't even remember, it's not like he has anything in there to be stolen, except maybe some of the orchard's weird vegetables in the fridge, and a closet full of clothes — mostly don't even fit him, too big — and a few trinkets in the kitchen. Nothing really valuable. Damn, did Bakura come back and left him out?! Anything was possible at this point!

Well, huh, he could use the window, right? Yeah, sounds like a plan! He doesn't unload the stuff from the bike yet, choosing to go inside first, open the door, then deal with the rest. And there he goes, forcing a window and going into the dark.

Who the hell knows what awaits him there... 」

march 18th | later that day.... | that nerd with the Blue Jeans

「Okay... okay... he's got a lot on his plate all sudden but when doesn't he? It's like he's destined to never have a moment of respire, but it's fine, he... he's used to this. this day has been long already, but it's not over yet, he can do this!」

lets play a game

「Yeahhhhhh... better than asking where he is and not getting a reply, right?」

march 18th | even later that day~ | Delmar

「There is a couple of soft knocks on Delmar's door nothing but about ten minutes after his call.」

Hey, Del, it's Atem.

「Just in case.

He's a little nervous of being there, he hadn't seen Delmar in a bit of a while, but it seems to be a good opportunity to catch up. Ever since the Null's attack, things felt different, like if they had a sword hanging over their head at all times, they needed some normality around here.」

march 19th | Rey Safronov

「It happens when he tries to find a blank book from the library to use as a notebook; most of them are too damaged, but surely he will find the perfect one soon. So he goes from book after book, until, something falls from the shelf and at his feet. A photograph... When he picks it up, he sees it, immediately: a pair of hands that he would recognize anywhere by now — rough, strong and scarred — working on something. While it's not clear to him what she's working on, he can see the shore of the river close. All sudden, one of those hands is driven rapidly to his nose, or... her nose, in this case, when that hand is visible again, focused on, even, there is a thread of blood running along her knuckles.

The vision dissipates at that moment.

Huh... Now he has to stare at the old photograph, it shows no one that he can recognize but maybe... maybe she would. His search seem to take second place now and Atem sets way towards the riverside. He's bound to find her if he just follow through, right?」

march 19th | open to all!

Ah... just now that he's settling down again, he notices someone is missing from his favorites contacts... And then, he notices it, he's all alone, no one from his world is left, just him. Funny, nothing but a bit of a month ago he told him Law he still had people around, and even then, he didn't think it was relevant.

Now he knows it was.

Gotta move on and all, but meanwhile, maybe just for a little moment, he can just sit down at this bench at the park, take a minute to reevaluate a few stuff. What is he doing here anyway? There is so much he's messed up, so much to fix but, he could do it, right? He had been lucky that the Eye hadn't ruined much more. But that was also gone, together with his sworn enemy, together with his opportunity to fix it all between them...

But he can only dwell on this for so long before he starts feeling like he needs to move, literally, otherwise he may never stand from there, so, later he might be found practicing a few movements with a sword at the park, gotta keep the skills sharp. Maybe then he can go get some stuff from the stores, and even maybe go get a drink at the Speakeasy or even go fishing at one of the many pools. He's got a fiery salamander to feed after all!

( ooc: Will match format! Hit me up if you want a different starter for your character or pm me if you wanna plot something )

Comments

waddup it me, that nerd w the Blue Jeans

[barold]

[Barry considers the message, confused. It's been a while since he's talked to Atem. Does he know..? Probably. He knows Lup better than he knows Barry, after all. He wouldn't be surprised if she's told everyone at this point.

At least he deigns to talk to him still. It's more than he'd expected.]

I am sorry, Atem, but I am not in the mood for games.

[puzzlingly]

dont worry youre already playing

[barold]

What are you talking about.
If this is a joke, I do not understand it.

[puzzlingly]

its not
what do you feel like doing anyway?

[barold]

I feel like finishing up work and going to sleep soon.

Although it is good to hear from you again.
It has been a while.
Maybe we can play a game some other time.

19th before the flu hits

[hot_mes]

[errands do keep one busy, do they not? Law actually runs into Atem between shops, as he also is working on scrounging what he can. Don't think he's tired of fish but sometimes he is tired of fish ok.]

Ah. You're back. [happy! also wearing his new shirt even if it's balls hot out for sweatshirts with feather collars.] Everything all right?

[puzzlingly]

「Fish is fabulous, what are you even talking about?
No, it's not, which is why he's more than happy to have found a large can of what seems to be peaches, or some fruit.」

Hey. I sure took my time, didn't I?

「There is something different in that greeting, he's not used to see Law so... expressive. And then, he gives the shirt a glance and the tiniest of the smirks. What a nerd.」

Yeah, kind of got evicted from my home but, everything is cool. What's up with you?


( oops thanks for reminding me the event starts the 20th~ fixed that )

[hot_mes]

[....evicted from home SAY WHAT?]

...what? Your home?

[puzzlingly]

Yep, it was on me, I left for too long. Some people assumed it was empty.

「It's fine, at least he doesn't seem bitter about it, and maybe, just maybe, it's a reminder that life goes on, whether he's there or not. It's actually a bit of a good reminder.」

19th.

[circumitus]

It's been over a couple weeks now. Much longer than Safronov had ever expected to stay -- or wanted to, for that matter. Between the headaches and the blackouts, however, her work on the conduit hasn't been as fast as she'd have liked.

She barely goes out, leaving only for food or supplies she's running short on. Safronov has practically been living off black tea all this time.

Her work comes to a halt again when she hears the sound of someone on the outside parameter, close to the nearby river. She sets her tools on the table in the corner of the room, grabbing for the combat knife also resting on the surface.

With the news of a synthetic in the city, Safronov has been more alert than before. No thanks to her current state of health, she couldn't just seek that thing out and neutralized it immediately. If such a symptom were to plague her during such a mission, would she even recover?

But if it instead found her, however, that would be another story.

Her feet meet the ground with a stealthy maneuvering as she sneaks across the abandoned shop. Knife ready, she positions herself by the front door, ignoring the dull throb in her skull and yet another bloody nose. In the event that an unwanted intruder comes through the front and only way inside, she'll be waiting for them.

[puzzlingly]

There is only one store that seem to be close enough to the riverside, that should be it.

Completely unaware of what might be going in the inside, Atem takes out his phone, just to send her a message as he goes through the entrance (something he could have done several minutes ago, but, didn't), his eyes glued on the phone's screen. He could fit perfectly well in the 21st century, if anyone asks.

[circumitus]

Even as the message pings to her inbox, the phone is left on the table where Safronov doesn't bother to return. Instead of abandoning her caution, she waits by the front door, knife at the ready in case someone with ill intent steps inside.

Fortunately for Atem, she has enough discipline not to go for immediate stabbing. But as soon as he enters, he'll find a hand seizing him by the collar of his shirt, as a stone force flings him against the wall. Safronov's expression isn't devoid of all feral violence one would expect from such a welcome, and instead reveals herself to be calculated enough not to drive the blade straight into the intruder's throat.

Still, it's not a very warm way to say hello.

[puzzlingly]

Oh shit.

There goes the phone, dropping it from the sudden jolt, and for a moment a terrible sinking feeling down his stomach dominates him, it's fear. Atem's already pale complexion seems to lose all color at the expression in her face, the blood on her face doesn't help at all and the glimmer from the knife has his mind goes back to Yukari's blade going through him.

He's done for. And all he can do is dig his nails in that arm, as hard as he can.

But the only pain he can feel is the one on the back of his head, product from the slamming against the wall. Not even his fluffy hair helped there.

"R...Rey?" No, she wouldn't... would she?

19th! park bench

[kingforboth]

Kelson knows the look Atem is wearing well. He's worn it himself more than a couple times. Depression, self pity, wishing there was something you could do and knowing that you had made a mistake that you couldn't fix? And all you could think about was what you had or hadn't done and wished it could have gone differently, mulling over why you had done such a thing.

The king went up to him, wearing his crown for convenience and because he wasn't quite convinced yet no one was going to burgle him.

"Is this seat taken? You have the look of someone with regrets." Believe him Atem, he knew. Maybe not exactly what you were going through, but being king was tougher than he had ever thought. It looked like you understood some of that.

[puzzlingly]

It's a face he doesn't recognize, but the expression, he does. It's one he would make when approaching someone who seems to have too much in their head. Atem sends a quick glance at the crown over his head, heh... a fellow king, perhaps? It's a little obvious.

He sits up straight, scooting over a little to give him some more room to sit on.

"Am I that obvious?" He says, forcing a little smile. He lets down his guard for five minutes and this happens, not that he's complaining, he could use the company.

[kingforboth]

It was a little obvious. Kelson needed to find a safe place to stash the crown or become used to the fact that people would notice it, because no one here knew who he was. The young king smiled as Atem scooted over and took a seat beside him.

"Perhaps only to someone who has worn that face a lot recently. "Regret." Self pity, condemnation, there were hundreds of words for what that face was. It wasn't often that Kelson was on the other end of this. And honestly, he wasn't sure what to do. Normally he was the one fretting, thinking himself into a state of anxiety and depression, before one of his dear friends and advisers knocked some sense into him or made him sleep.

[puzzlingly]

"Heh... Unfortunately, it might be a face you'll be seeing around here a lot. When did you arrive?"

Despite of whatever obvious issues Atem might be reflecting, he still tries to pull an amiable, optimistic exterior, even if it is very hard to hide the pain in his eyes. He doesn't wish to be pitied, he doesn't wish to worry anyone about the problems inside his head.

'sup intruder!

[hardwearing]

[ Atem did not, in fact, lock the door when he left on his expedition. Which contributed to Blue Team thinking this house was vacant -- they'd watched it for about a week before actively investigating, and found some personal items but nothing that wouldn't normally be left behind when someone disappeared from Hadriel, so. They'd gone ahead and moved in. And Wash, being Wash, had insisted on setting up a few basic alarms. All the bedrooms of the house are upstairs so Atem is entering into the living room, but the couches have been pulled slightly away from the wall beneath them and a trip wire has been set up, which pulls down a bag of cans when Atem triggers it. It's super old school, but it's loud and distinctive.

Wash himself sleeps very lightly, when he sleeps. He's out of bed in an instant, grabbing his magnum off the nightstand and heading down the stairs to see who's come in. He's rumpled and barefoot but clearly alert. And there isn't really anywhere for Atem to hide besides behind a couch so he moves that way, sweeping his weapon across his field of vision like someone who's used to targets popping up from nowhere. ]

Who's there?

you're the intruder!

[puzzlingly]

「The racket is undoubtedly heart stopping, specially because he wasn't expecting it at all. All he can think of, is that stupid Bakura pulling a prank on him, but the Spirit of the Ring would never do that at all, so this is just Atem playing with the memories in his mind.」

What the--!

「Since Atem isn't trying to be stealthy at all — why should he? — he goes about making even more noise. Cool, huh?

No, but really, had he gotten into the wrong house or something?!

Atem, who isn't quite hiding, just comes from behind the couch and faces the behemoth of a guy (compared to him anyway) with a fierce but rather confused expression.」

Who the heck are you?

「Usually, he's a bit more amiable than that, but not right now, he's tired and sore and even if he's half the size of the guy pointing a gun at him, well, he looks a little more than furious.」

You put this thing here? 「He lifts the cans.」 Why are you here? ... Is that a gun?! Are you trying to ki-- What the hell is wrong with you!?

「There surely is something hilarious and a little crazy about a rather small teen yelling at a rather bigger guy with a gun.

Or, maybe not.

Sigh, there goes his dream of taking a good relaxing bath, he really cannot get a break.」

[uptightness]

[She isn't much of a sleeper anyway, finding a few hours here and there. Between the insomnia and the nightmares, days where she gets a good sleep are few and far between. Carolina's used to it, keeps it to herself as much as she can, but it makes for many nights awake. It does give her time to re-read information about this place, or keep her armour polished and clean- it's probably the cleanest that it has been in years.

This night, she has been going through the network. She might not post much on it, but she does like to keep tabs on anything that is happening. It's like being back in training again, attempting to catch up and learn everything that she can. Even if she's mellowed out a little, she's still driven, and she wants to be prepared for anything and everything. Carolina might not be able to control everything, but she will try.

It is why she is awake when the noise comes, and she stills, listening for a few seconds. She can hear movement, from Wash's room, if she is to guess, and moving to get her own Magnum, she slips out of her room, following Wash's footsteps. His voice filters back, and... a response is returned? That makes her pause, but the voice isn't familiar. It isn't Tucker sneaking back in, or Caboose doing Caboose things, but a stranger. In their place. Coming down to the room, Carolina's at the ready as well, green eyes locking on to- a teenager?]

I think that's the question we should be asking you...

[hardwearing]

[ Carolina falls into position at Wash's side and even in this situation, that feels familiar and right. He hadn't realized just how alone he'd felt, until the others showed up. Maybe he'll tell her that sometime but right now he's just glad she's here, even if the 'threat' they're facing really doesn't look much like one. But if there's one thing Wash has learned here, it's to not go by appearances. The muzzle of his gun stays pointed at the stranger just in case, as Wash tilts his head in confusion at his indignant yelling. The boy's not acting like someone who just broke in, despite the fact he obviously came through the window. ]

She's right, we'll be asking the questions. Who are you and what are you doing in here?

[imhisaunt]

[Delmar had been certain to get himself put together before Atem arrived, pulling out a nice turquoise sweater and a yellow kerchief and he'd also been certain to prepare tea. He always wanted his friends to feel welcome and comfortable at his place after all.

So when he opens the door he greets Atem with a chipper smile]

Hello there, Atem!

[puzzlingly]

「Atem returns that smile, and oh man, he had missed that face, sure he had seen him and heard him over the network, but it felt like it had been so long ago.」

Hey, you look good, friend.

[imhisaunt]

[He turns a light shade of pink at the compliment, looking to the side shyly]

Oh, you're just saying that

[Then he steps forward to pull Atem into a hug, something he feels he hasn't done in far too long.]

[puzzlingly]

Heh, I'm n--

「Oh, that was something unexpected, but not because of that unwelcomed. It takes him by surprise, still incredibly unused to such contact even after this long, but after the initial startle, his arms spring like a trap, wrapping around Delmar.

Oh, he had missed this, he...」

I missed you.