[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]

Ah-! That's right... I'll go do that then.

[Still in his pyjamas, randomly hugging a pillow, he gets up and goes to get the set.]

[obeytherod]

[While Ryou busies himself with that, Malik simply follows him into the other room, sitting nearby with Twin-Headed Behemoth as guard.

It takes quite awhile, but his scouts eventually come back. Man-Eater Bug appears dejected, while Spirit Reaper excited at its own success.]

We've got a room.

[fluffydeathdealer]

Eheh... That sounds a little strange, but it works for me. Here, please take these.

[He gently deposits a couple of strong bags in front of Malik.]

I'm done dismantling it, but there's more pieces than I thought.

[obeytherod]

...Strange? [It's a confused mutter, but Malik doesn't take time to dwell on it.

He points towards the bags.]

Man-Eater Bug, carry these, and be careful with them! [His gaze turns back to Ryou.] We're ready, then?

[fluffydeathdealer]

Ah, just a minute...

[He disappears into the bedroom, returning with the dagger and strapping it on as he does. It takes him a few tries to get it to catch. It seems wearing it's becoming a habit even with him.]

Don't we need clothes too...? Or will they just appear, I wonder...

[obeytherod]

They just appeared when we moved in here...if not, we can worry about that later.

[He folds his arms, looking thoughtfully at the dorm around them.]

I wonder if that man will be less likely to look for us if I destroy the room, or if I keep it intact...

[fluffydeathdealer]

Destroy it all! You already made a good start in the bedroom♥!

[...sleep deprivation seems to be making him a little loopy.]

But if we're leaving the clothes, I'm at least grabbing a change for tomorrow.

[obeytherod]

... [He's not sure why, but he's kind of irked by that comment.]

Well hurry up! We don't have all night.

[Ignoring Ryou now, he lightly gestures to the room around him.]

Behemoth, Reaper! Destroy everything that isn't what we've packed, and leave the bedroom until Ryou's come out!

[LET THE HAVOC BEGIN! The snapping of furniture and the crumbling of drywall can be heard far down the hall.]

[fluffydeathdealer]

[Ryou makes a mental note to warn Henry as he goes back into the bedroom. His real reason for going back is something he forgot; a small box that was hidden under his bed. But he wraps it up in clothing haphazardly, returning to the living room with the small bundle and his pillow.]

Ready... Are we going now?

[obeytherod]

[As soon as Ryou's out, the monsters lumber towards the bedroom, giving it the same treatment as the rest of the dorm.]

Yes. Let's go.

[He turns, heading for the door.] Behemoth, Reaper, come on!

[The two monsters make their way back out and stay close to Malik, and to Ryou by proxy.]

[fluffydeathdealer]

[Ryou sticks close to Malik, too tired to be afraid of the monsters. Absent-mindedly, he loops his arm through Malik's so he won't lose him.]

Is it far?

[obeytherod]

[Malik glances over when Ryou loops his arm around his, and while he's surprised by the gesture he says nothing against it.]

It's across the school, but if we take the North hall it won't be too long of a walk. It's better that way anyway, since we'll be in a completely different area from where he'd expect us to be. It's closer to the gym too. Maybe we can have a routine together...

[fluffydeathdealer]

Un. I'd like that... I'm sure I can fit it in along with training with uncle and father, and my lessons, and playing with Yugi-kun... It shouldn't be hard.

[Yawn. At least it doesn't seem like too bad of a trip. Henry will probably be glad about the distance too.]

[obeytherod]

Oh, of course...I have things I need to do throughout the day as well. [Training? That was suspicious. In Ryou's tired state, he might even be able to get the information out of him without bringing his Rod into this.

He waits a moment, and then asks in the most innocently curious tone he can manage.] What kind of training are you having?

[fluffydeathdealer]

Hm...? Did I say that...? Oops.

[He doesn't want to let too much slip, but it's hard to think of ways to say things when he's this tired. Even with the nap he had earlier, his mind is pretty drained.]

Jack says that our family has a heritage, and he's trying to teach me how to use it, but I can't do that yet. That's all...

[...did that cover it?]

[obeytherod]

[It seems Ryou wasn't tired enough to let something like that slip, but that was fine...

He'll just keep playfully pressuring him.]

Ohh? But what's this "heritage"? Now I'm curious. Come on, Ryou~ The least you can do is give me something interesting to listen to while we walk.

[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.]