soul_campaign | Entry #A-18: "Antidiscrimination" [Text, April 5 Early Morning, Private to Bakura]

[[Restless? What on Earth did he mean by that?]]

You stayed up there overnight?

[[He didn't realize you could do that... he'd been dragged home to sleep...!

...though if he had planned that, wouldn't he have brought an overnight bag if he were going to be so insistent on a change of clothes?]]

I'll be there in about a half an hour, OK?

Make it twenty minutes, if you can...

[[A slight pause. That was a little... worrying.]]

I'll try. It takes some time to get up there and to get the coffee.

Then forget the coffee. Please just hurry, with clothes.

[[Officially worried now!]]

What happened?

I can't explain that right now. Less typing, more walking, please. This stand is going to open soon and I doubt the owner will appreciate finding me here.

Edited 2012-11-03 15:53 (UTC)

I'm already on my way.

[[Despite being fully able to walk and text at the same time, he'll keep radio silence for now (unless Ryuzaki texts him something else) and silently worry about what could have happened.

It still takes him most of half hour he guessed it would. It was a fair distance, after all, and the gondolas don't exactly go at a high speed. He could't help but notice how full the ones going down where, however.... and just how... off... things felt. Even considering the early time of day.]]

Ryuzaki-kun? [[Looking around the area before spotting the booth and heading for it, shifting the small bag over his shoulder as he walked.]] It's me... Where are you?

[The door opens, and a pale, thin hand reaches outside, connected to a conspicuously unclothed arm. Presumably, the hand is reaching for the requested clothing.]

[[Bakura blinks a moment before shifting the small bag off his shoulder and setting it in his friend's waiting hand. Inside is a full change of clothing that Bakura had taken from his friend's apartment and a small bottle of sweetened green tea he had had in the refrigerator with a sugar packet (since he's pretty sure factory sweetened wouldn't be sweetened enough for Ryuzaki)]]

[The hand takes the bag, snatching it and retreating back into the snack stand, the door closing quickly.

About a minute after, L appears, fully clothed but sans shoes. Damn. He should have thought to ask for those, too. But it seems to be the least of his troubles; he has been in a fight. He looks worse for it, with a bruised cheek and a cut lip. Walking seems difficult for him, but he manages, stiffly and soberly raising the bottle of tea to his lips and drinking the whole thing without pausing to breathe.]

[[Bakura can't help but stare a long moment. What---]]

Ryuzaki-kun... what happened?

[L would rather not talk about it, and his closed posture communicates his reluctance rather effectively.]

I just... things were strange here last night. I'm hungry, and tired, and can we just go back and not speak of it again?

[It's obvious, after all, that he got into a fight. Those bruises are from fists, and the several swollen knuckles on his own hands suggest that he threw a few punches of his own, as well.

There aren't a lot of people that L engages that way. Light being involved isn't a poor guess, if Bakura wants to dare to take one.]

[[The fact that Ryuzaki didn't even want to mention it made it even more clear...]]

U-- un. Just let me know what you need when we get home, okay? I'll take care of it. Did you need to lean on me? Are your legs all right?

[His eyes widen slightly at Bakura's willingness to do so much for him, and then he sighs, shoulders drooping.]

My legs are fine. Everything is fine.

[His gait is stiff and sore, but it's true; his legs really aren't the problem.]

[[If his legs were fine, why was he wa--

The thought ended abruptly and was deeply buried before it could finish]]

Everything's not fine... [[corrects, tone more worried than rebuking]] Come on, let's go. Quickly, something's going wrong, everyone's leaving...

[[he's still going to offer L his arm just in case.]]

[L nods warily; the panic and chaos inherent in the carnival's ever-shifting tone is making him deeply uneasy. What started last night is only worsening.

He takes a few ginger steps, wincing only slightly. It's tempting to take Bakura's arm, but he is finding it difficult to entertain the notion of touching another person at the moment. He shuffles forward unsupported, hanging back in the hopes that Bakura will pass him and save him from feeling like someone is studying his back and his distinct manner of discomfort.]

[[Bakura won't trail behind, but instead, will walk next to his friend, glancing over periodically to make sure Ryuzaki is still there and still upright.]]

Did you want me to go slower...? [[his voice is soft and concerned. There's a tug of war of anxiety growing, the need to get Ryuzaki back home swiftly and the need to try and keep his friend's condition from getting worse.]]

It's no good... if we go slower, it just means that we won't make it out as quickly as we might need to.

[In other words, he dearly wanted to go slower, but he was far too aware that it would be a terrible idea.]

Don't look at me like that. I'm very on-edge at the moment, and it's not helping.

[Indeed, an odd chill seems to be permeating the air, and a sense of dread hangs heavily over the carnival. Somewhere, distant but far too close for comfort, there is a blood-curdling shriek.]

I just want to make sure you're okay and still with me... [[But he looks forward, trying to keep himself settled.]]

... I can feel what you mean about it feeling restless.. [[said softly, looking over at where the shriek had come from]] It feels like...

[[Like Madness.]]

...can you transform?

[[Even if it was risky, resonating with Ryuzaki, if something should happen...]]

[L stares for a moment like a deer caught in headlights. The reason is 10% surprise at Bakura's suggestion, and 90% uncertainty.

The night before, when it would have benefitted him the most, he hadn't been able to turn to steel. He's concerned that he won't be able to, now.

The single moment is the sole indicator of any difficulty, however. He remembers the reassurance of metal very quickly, and falls softly into Bakura's hands in a set of metal links and cuffs. The sheen of the metal is a bit duller than its normal, brilliant shine... but otherwise, L is ready to do what he can as a Weapon to make sure they get out of the carnival safely.]

Edited 2012-11-05 15:19 (UTC)

[[It was a relief when Ryuzaki transformed, and Bakura's fingers curled gently, yet tightly around the cool metal, his pace picking up as he carefully opened himself up to his friend's presence. It wouldn't be as easy or smooth as it was with others, he knew that, but he was confident enough that knew Ryuzaki well enough to be able to adjust to the prickly presence that had already invaded his life so utterly.

Gentle. Careful. Supporting. Yet somehow firm even in it's care. It's a stable platform for Ryuzaki to rest upon, as dependable and reliable as everything else Bakura always was. Expecting that he would be hurt, but not caring. What was important was getting Ryuzaki home, swiftly and safely.]]

'Does this feel all right?'

[[Latch on if it would help, is the silent addition to that reach. I'm here. I'll support you.

Because we're friends.]]

[So many of L's resonation problems come from uncertainty and a long-standing inability to trust. While two Weapons certainly didn't resonate like a Weapon and a Meister were able to, Bakura is one of the few individuals who can handle L's bizarre wavelength, the constant reassurance quieting and quelling some of its more damaging aspects.]

/Yes. It's not bad... We can manage like this as long as we need to, I think.../

[Of course, the two Weapons expecting to leave the carnival without event would have been blithely optimistic. Something is approaching them, with far more purpose and focus than the carnival's general state of panic.]

Edited 2012-11-06 18:19 (UTC)

[[Good, because Bakura's eyeing that distant figure, fingers tightening around L's metal.

An ant. Like one of the ones last time...

Bakura takes a deep breath, steadying himself. He hadn't worked with L like this before, he wasn't sure how to use his friend's Weapon form ideally. Hopefully L himself would be able to manage to help there...]]

'Something's coming... I'll try and out run it, but I don't know if I can...'

[[If it were just him, he could manage, but he would not leave L behind. Even if he lured the monster off, L was in no shape to get anywhere on his own.]]

'Can I rely on you?'

[[If he kept hold on one end and swung the other out towards the monster... L could take it from there, he hoped....]]

/Something's coming...?/

[It is, indeed, a giant ant with enormous pincers. L's wavelength spikes and lurches uneasily as Bakura tells him that it's possible they won't be able to outrun the monstrous insect, and in response, one cuff fastened tightly around Bakura's wrist.]

/I can't promise that... but I'll do whatever I can to make sure we get out of this./

[[It was an odd feeling, that sudden grip and almost on reflex, Bakura flexed his fingers and moved his rest, testing it out. It was solid, like anytime Ryuzaki clung with that surprising strength of his.

Good. That would make it easier.]]

'That's all I can ask,'

[[He tries to adjust to the uneasiness, offering strength and stability, even as he realizes there was no way to avoid the monster before them.

All they needed to do was injure it enough so it couldn't follow, and the gondolas weren't much farther ahead.

They could do this.

What was it that person had said last time... aim for the joints? If they took out the legs on the one side, it would be unbalanced and unable to maneuver, and they'd be able to get by it.

Plan set, he relays it to Ryuzaki, adjusting his hold on his friend's Weapon form to be ready to let the painful end fly.]]

'Ready?'

[The leg joints should be easy enough; even if L can't become a bear trap unless he's resonating with a Meister, the grip of the chain should be enough to disable the huge ant.]

/Listen... You have to pull me back the second you hear a snap. It looks heavy... I don't want to be trapped under it while it's thrashing, and it will thrash./

[[Bakura nods, doing his best to keep calm and be the rock that he's pretty sure Ryuzaki needs right now.]]

'Got it. Ready?'

[[and the moment Ryuzaki says he is, Bakura sends him flying out, jerking back on the chain the instant he hears the sound, hard enough to make his shoulder protest at the motion.]]

/Ready./

[Or as ready as he will ever be. When wielded by that rare well-matched Meister, L's Weapon form is scalpel-sharp and sleekly controlled. When a fellow Weapon wields him, though, it's not much different than flinging around a normal chain. The weight and direction aren't as precise, and L has to work harder just to not miss his target entirely, even if Bakura's wavelength accommodates his admirably.

He wraps around two of the ants legs, tightening at the joints. They're tougher than they look, and there is a faint moment where L doubts that they can successfully incapacitate it this way... but then there is a revolting crunch, followed by a second one, and the ant collapses, flailing wildly as it does.

Fortunately, Bakura is every bit as good as his word, and though L's cuff drags along the ground as his proxy-Meister reels him back in, he is safely un-crushed.]

[[Bakura's heart is beating pretty fast with adrenaline as he clings to his friend's Weapon form.

They'd done it...!

All RIGHT!

Elation following the adrenaline rush, Bakura hugs the end of Ryuzaki's form that isn't clinging to his wrist tightly to his chest and dashes forward, avoiding the flailing mess of limbs of the downed ant as he rushes for the gondolas.]]

[L's is pounding, too, but to be fair, it has been ever since the night before.

He jostles and jangles in Bakura's arms, listening to the other man's rapid heartbeat and wishing that he could remain in his weapon form indefinitely as they start to make their way back to the city.]

[[Bakura did his best to keep Ryuzaki from being jangled too much, holding his Weapon form very closely as they traveled down and back to their apartment building. It's only when they're inside that Bakura's step finally slows, and his grip loosens, almost in anticipation of Ryuzaki's return to himself.

With it would resume the earlier worries about his friend's condition, but he did his best to keep his thoughts to plans for food and making sure Ryuzaki got some proper rest.

It was only when they were inside Bakura's apartment itself that Bakura let out a deep sigh, tension finally leaching out of him]]

We'll be safe here. You can change back now...

[As Bakura's grip slackens, L steps away from him, seamlessly melding back into his human form despite his reluctance. He immediately shuffles toward the bathroom, trying not to make his pain too apparent as he turns on the bathtub and the sink at the same time and starts shucking off the fresh clothes that already feel filthy. His legs still have dried blood crusted on, and it's this realization that makes him close the door. Nakedness doesn't affect or shame him, but these are injuries that he doesn't want Bakura to see.]

[[Bakura watches him shuffle, turning away when he enters the bathroom and moving towards the kitchen instead. Time to locate all leftover sweets and start something fresh cooking...

...and send out a few text messages while he's at it.

By the time L emerges the apartment will be full of the hopefully comforting scent of baking brownies and a fresh set of clothing will be waiting for him in the spare room.]]

[Bakura would be well-advised not to say anything about his dwindling soap and shampoo supplies. L sees the bottom of each and every bottle before he feels clean, and even after rinsing thoroughly, the feeling is far from perfect. He kneels on the shower floor and remains that way for nearly a half hour before he finally turns off the water and leaves the steamy bathroom. The clothes are readily accessible and the scent of brownies permeates the apartment, which is fortunate. The scented soap was beginning to make his nearly empty stomach queasy.

Once he's dressed, he shuffles aimlessly for a few moments, finally settling on the couch. Since sitting is still very painful, he lies on his side, staring glassily at the blank, dead television screen.]

Edited 2012-11-15 20:19 (UTC)

[[A short while after he's settled, a plate of brownies is set down on the coffee table in easy reach.]]

Is there anything I can do...?

[[Bakura's voice is soft and gentle. There's no prying, no uncomfortable questions. Whatever happened, it's up to Ryuzaki to volunteer any information if he feels so inclined. Which Bakura isn't expecting]]

[L turns his lacquered eyes on his friend, seeming to ask himself the same question. Really, there isn't much Bakura can do. The damage is done, the nature of L's physical and emotional injuries are humiliating and private. He doesn't want to think about what happened, he doesn't want to dwell on the fraying state of confusion his mind is currently soaking in.]

I want to sleep. I don't suppose you have any pills...

[Perhaps he already looks so demolished that Bakura will not have any reservations about it.]

[[Bakura nods]] The same bottle as last time. There should be still some left. Just the normal dose, okay? And you should eat something first. It's gentler on your stomach that way...

[The last thing L feels like doing is eating. Still, he acquiesces without resistance, taking a bite of brownie and letting the chocolate soothe the ashes and sawdust his mouth tastes like.]

[[Bakura watches him for a moment before pulling away, heading for the medicine chest.

A short while later he sets down a glass of water and pair of pills next to the plate of brownies]]

I'll go get the bed ready for you, okay?

[L downs the pills. Later, he will regret it when he hears about his successors. But for now, it is a release from a myriad of difficulties that aren't fair for someone with his limited grasp of human emotions to cope with.]

You don't have to worry about that. I don't want to move again...

A blanket, then.

Sure...

[He's not positive that it'll help. The cold feels like it's coming from inside, at this point, but he appreciates it.]

[[Bakura nods before heading for the spare room, returning shortly with a warm blanket and a cat following after him, mewing in protest that her sleep spot was being moved.]]

Here. Pelor already warmed it up a little for you. [[His tone is fond as he carefully lays the blanket down over his friend, Pelor instantly climbing up to settle down on top of it and L.]]

[By the time Bakura returns, L will be curled and sleeping, a fine and comfortable post for any searching cat. He will remain like that until the evening, when he wakes to find Matt's network post inquiring about his other successors.]

Entry #A-18: "Antidiscrimination" [Text, April 5 Early Morning, Private to Bakura]

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