[CAMPUS/IC]

[fluffydeathdealer]

[This is a general post for threads that can't go anywhere else, to prevent making closed posts for one or two characters.

Threads here are 100% IC for the_campus.

05/10/13 - A Soft Heart Breaking. (Date Mislabelled on actual thread)
05/10/13 - What Family's For
8/10/13 - Trespass of the Soul
13/10/13 - Fears of the Past
13/10/13 - The Great Evacuation
14/10/13 - A Beach Date! Jokes Spiralling Out of Control
31/10/13 - Questionable Intentions
03/11/13 - Secrets of the Mind]

NEXT

Comments

[fluffydeathdealer]

[He leans against Malik just slightly, pondering his words. Jack hadn't said to keep it secret from Malik, but logically, it should be. But Jack seemed pretty open with his family pride, too.

Ugh, why did Malik have to bring it up now?]

I can't handle it or anything, so it's going to be really boring. Apparently the powers of darkness are in his bloodline. His family's pride is tied into it so he doesn't like that I can't do it.

[obeytherod]

The power of darkness...hm.

[He's not even slightly surprised that Ryou can't handle something like that. The boy was too innocent and pure of heart! Even he had trouble delving into the darkness of the Duel Monsters cards. The more of it there was, the more frightful it was...like a cloth suffocating you from the inside out.

The Rod had it too, but he'd never tapped into its fullest potential.]

You didn't seem the type, Ryou.

[fluffydeathdealer]

I want to be stronger... to be able to protect myself and the people I love.

[Ryou's tired voice is quiet, just audible above their footsteps in the peace of the empty halls. It was true... darkness was hard to manage. Jack could handle it with ease, but Jack was a far colder and darker person than Ryou. He wondered if he'd ever manage it.]

If I have to, I'll do whatever it takes...

[obeytherod]

... [Doing whatever it took to protect those you loved.

It sounded far too much like something he himself would say. Malik does what he can to squash the burn of empathy as they make their way down the hall.]

I don't care about your friends, but I won't let anybody hurt you. Neither will the Spirit. You're valuable to both of us, after all.

[Both as a host, and as something akin to company he could enjoy. Not that Malik cared to make the distinction.]

[fluffydeathdealer]

But, weren't you the one who hurt my side the other day...? You can't claim to protect me when you're going to make things worse, you know.

[That scolding aside, he closes his eyes, trusting in Malik not to steer him into the wall.]

That said... thank you, Malik. Some day, I'd like to be strong enough to protect you too. Because you're my friend as well.

[obeytherod]

[Malik has no intention of steering Ryou anywhere but to their new room, and he keeps walking at the same steady pace.

Ryou considered him his "friend", did he? That was useful. Not just for his goals and being able to use the boy, but because that meant any casual enjoyment he got out of him wasn't utterly one-sided. Like with Rishid, he did crave mutual company at times.

He was going to kill at least one of Ryou's friends, but he'd enjoy this while it lasted.]

There's no need. I can protect myself just fine, especially now that I can summon.

...Also. I said anybody else. That doesn't include me. [He was saying it more to get off the hook than anything, a small smile causing his lips to twitch.]

[fluffydeathdealer]

[Ryou giggles a little at that, amused. The idea that Malik might hurt his friends is far from his mind right now. He's lost all fear of him, scary as he acts, and even feels fond of him now.]

I guess that's to be expected.

[obeytherod]

Well, at least you understand. [There's a hint of chiding sarcasm in his voice, and soon after he says it they're at the second dorm wing.]

Good. We're almost there!

[fluffydeathdealer]

Ah, it feels so relieving to be out of there... I thought I'd never sleep again, knowing that guy knows where we live.

[He grins widely, brightly despite his tiredness.]

[obeytherod]

Yeah...don't worry though, it shouldn't happen again. I already spoke with Bakura.

[The monsters stop at one door in particular, signifying it was the one. Wordlessly, Malik heads over and pulls open the door, peeking inside. The layout seemed to be the same as their other room, only flipped.]

This should do perfectly.

[fluffydeathdealer]

[Wordlessly, Ryou lets go of him, looks around, gives a firm - if sleepy - nod and goes straight for the bedroom, faceplanting into the first bed he sees.]

...zzzzz...

[...it seems the relief's already hit him.]

[obeytherod]

[Stepping inside with their things and withdrawing all his monsters besides Twin-Headed Behemoth, Malik does the same.

That hulking brute of a monster will guard their door tonight.]