Final Confirmation
[Players: adian_mutou,yugi_muto and ishtar_marik
Scene:Discussing Yugi's involvement in the Hunt. Date: March 20th]
Settling into the chair in front of Marik's desk, Aidan let his gaze skim over his surroundings while Marik sat down opposite him. He tried to picture himself with an office, realized he'd be completely baffled by the implied level of formality and organization, and smiled inwardly. Turning his focus to the other man, he offered him a slight smile. "So... how's your research been going?"
"Research is going pretty well. I have a few leads, but no definite yet. What about your end of the research?" Marik asked, leaning forward in his chair, propping elbows on the table all the while interlocking fingers. It had been a while since business about the Hunt had been discussed. Then again he was sure Seto, Aidan and himself had other things to accomplish besides the hunt.
"Mm, well, I have a couple of theories about the pieces," Aidan began. He studied Marik's fingers for a moment before raising his eyes to meet the other man's. "But I've had some help. That's why I called you actually -- I wanted to explain that, due to unexpected circumstances, my brother chanced to see the pyramid pieces."
He paused, lifting one shoulder in a slight shrug that didn't quite invite questions yet. "I trust him with my life, so I trusted him with my portion -- and my portion only -- of the hunt. What's been seen cannot be unseen, but I would not involve him further without your consent as well. Seto has given his."
Marik kept his eyes trained on Aidan's as he spoke. Somehow through it all he hadn't expected this turn of events. He trusted Aidan to a certain extent, Seto slightly more, but his brother he didn't know from Adam, and inevitably this news hit a small nerve. Taking a long moment before responding he leaned back in his chair and took a breath. "What is his name?"
"Yugi," Aidan replied. "He moved to the city back in the summer last year and we've been sharing a place because it's cheaper."
"And does Yugi have any particular field of expertise in this matter?" he asked his voice level. In his mind he was tossing the idea of letting another player enter the hunt. Then again Seto had given his consent, why exactly Marik was not sure, but he was sure it was something strictly between the both of them.
Aidan smiled slightly. "He solves puzzles. I've yet to see him truly stumped by a puzzle, be it in a game or in real life. He has a quick mind and a great ability to see things from many angles."
Marik could see how such a skill could be useful in research, yet he still wasn't sure if this was the best course of action. If one person found out so could another and Marik had to make sure that was not going to be an option. "So, he is good with puzzles and as far as your word goes he is trustworthy. However as far as traveling is concerned, did you plan on him coming along or will he strictly help with research?"
"Depends on when the travel happens. He is working almost full time." Leaning forward, Aidan set one of Yugi's business cards from the Isaac Center on the desk before Marik. His brother's extension was handwritten on the front, and his cell phone number was scrawled on the back. "Marik, I could talk about Yugi for hours and still not answer the questions you likely have. Why don't you talk to him yourself?"
Marik looked down at the business card and without looking grabbed his Treo and began dialing the number.
It was after five, even with the long hours Yugi kept, he wouldn't still be at the office. Leaning forward again, Aidan flipped the card over and tapped it with his index finger. "Try his cell," he said quietly.
Nodding, Marik ended the first call and proceeded to call the second number. Listening to the rings he waited patiently for the pick up on the other end. Marik looked up to Aidan. "Can I offer you anything to drink?" he asked seeing as he was a guest in his house despite it was just for business.
"I'm fine, thanks," Aidan replied with a slight smile.
Yugi answered his phone with a polite and curious "Hello?" in response to the unfamiliar number on the caller ID display.
"Hello, Mr. Mutou, this is Marik Ishtar, I am here with Aidan and I am calling on matters of the hunt. Are you available for a brief talk?"
"Oh, Mr. Ishtar," Yugi replied, recognizing the name immediately; Aidan had told him about this evening's meeting. "Sure, I'm free."
"Good. I have been informed that you have been included in the research aspect of Aidan's research. Also I've been informed that you would like to come aboard on this endeavor. I would just like to know, from your own mouth how you feel you'd contribute to what we are trying to do here, as well as undeniable reassurance on your part that this hunt remains secret."
"Ah," Yugi replied, and took a deep breath. For all that he'd had to 'sell himself' so many times in the past few months, to get his job and to pass Seto's scrutiny; it didn't really get any easier. "Aidan has only told me about his part of the hunt and his current research, so I don't know enough about the larger picture to know what I'd contribute to it," he admitted, "but I do tend to see connections and how things fit together better than my brother, and I do think he's better at that than most people. When I happened to walk in on his study of the artifacts in his care -- and that was all my fault, by the way, not his -- I immediately saw several possibilities that hadn't occurred to him." He shrugged, though he knew Marik couldn't see him. "I've always been quick with puzzles and riddles and that sort of thing, and I have an eclectic range of knowledge of history and mythology from growing up with Aidan and my grandfather, even if I haven't studied it formally like my brother has."
His voice became deadly serious as he added, "I have already been sworn to secrecy about this, and I promise that when I agree to keep a secret, I can be trusted with it. I do all that's in my power to keep from leaking any hint of it to anyone, for as long as it must be kept." No matter what it costs, not for seventeen years... but then again, he hadn't been able to keep certain things secret even if he hadn't said anything back then, and he had eventually told.... Shaking his head, he forced himself to push the past away and focus on the present. On Marik.
"What do you contribute?" he asked, curious rather than challenging.
Marik listened intently to what Yugi had to say, making mental notes as he spoke. Overall he sounded earnest in his claim of secrecy, and in his knowledge of puzzle solving. "In your word as a man I will trust you; welcome aboard. As far as my contribution is concerned, I am an Egyptian expert contracted with KC as their liaison therefore; I handle history, language both current and ancient and so on."
"That's cool, sounds interesting," Yugi replied sincerely. "And thanks for trusting me. So, is there anything else I need to do or know about this project, or should I get Aidan to tell me?"
"You're welcome" Marik said simply. "Since you are aiding Aidan in his research I'll let him explain the basic ends and outs of what you need to know. However are there any other questions you wish to ask me?"
"Hmm..." Yugi considered that for a moment. "No, I don't think I know enough yet to know what I don't know. Aidan has your contact info if I do need to ask you something later, though, right?"
"Yes he does. Thank you for your time, I look forward in meeting you soon."
"Cool," Yugi replied. He'd actually expected that Marik had been calling to set up a meeting to evaluate him like Seto had, rather than doing it only over the phone -- not that he minded getting it over with. "I'll look forward to meeting you, too," he echoed, before ending the call.
Clicking the end button on his phone Marik placed it back on the table and looked up to Aidan. "It's done, Yugi seems trustworthy enough, should you inform Seto or should I?"
"You might as well," Aidan replied after a moment. "Better he hear it from you than be asked to take my word for yours."
"Very well, I'll inform him. Is there any other developments that I need to be aware of?"
Aidan chuckled slightly, relaxing back in his chair. "Not of that sort, certainly. And Yugi and I both think that we won't be able to do much with the pieces I have until we either find more of them, or find something to plug them into -- like the slot in the wall." His eyes slid to the papers on Marik's desk again. "Perhaps we'll all be ready to gather and discuss our findings soon."
"I think that we will, I have a few ideas and I would like the opinion of everyone else. Call me if you need anything." Marik said wrapping up this meeting. There wasn't much else to speak on unless Aidan wanted to engage in pleasantries, but he doubted that.
"Alright, thank you," Aidan replied, getting to his feet. "I'll look forward to it."
Standing to his feet as well Marik lead Aidan to the door and waved farewell until their next meeting.
Scene:Discussing Yugi's involvement in the Hunt. Date: March 20th]
Settling into the chair in front of Marik's desk, Aidan let his gaze skim over his surroundings while Marik sat down opposite him. He tried to picture himself with an office, realized he'd be completely baffled by the implied level of formality and organization, and smiled inwardly. Turning his focus to the other man, he offered him a slight smile. "So... how's your research been going?"
"Research is going pretty well. I have a few leads, but no definite yet. What about your end of the research?" Marik asked, leaning forward in his chair, propping elbows on the table all the while interlocking fingers. It had been a while since business about the Hunt had been discussed. Then again he was sure Seto, Aidan and himself had other things to accomplish besides the hunt.
"Mm, well, I have a couple of theories about the pieces," Aidan began. He studied Marik's fingers for a moment before raising his eyes to meet the other man's. "But I've had some help. That's why I called you actually -- I wanted to explain that, due to unexpected circumstances, my brother chanced to see the pyramid pieces."
He paused, lifting one shoulder in a slight shrug that didn't quite invite questions yet. "I trust him with my life, so I trusted him with my portion -- and my portion only -- of the hunt. What's been seen cannot be unseen, but I would not involve him further without your consent as well. Seto has given his."
Marik kept his eyes trained on Aidan's as he spoke. Somehow through it all he hadn't expected this turn of events. He trusted Aidan to a certain extent, Seto slightly more, but his brother he didn't know from Adam, and inevitably this news hit a small nerve. Taking a long moment before responding he leaned back in his chair and took a breath. "What is his name?"
"Yugi," Aidan replied. "He moved to the city back in the summer last year and we've been sharing a place because it's cheaper."
"And does Yugi have any particular field of expertise in this matter?" he asked his voice level. In his mind he was tossing the idea of letting another player enter the hunt. Then again Seto had given his consent, why exactly Marik was not sure, but he was sure it was something strictly between the both of them.
Aidan smiled slightly. "He solves puzzles. I've yet to see him truly stumped by a puzzle, be it in a game or in real life. He has a quick mind and a great ability to see things from many angles."
Marik could see how such a skill could be useful in research, yet he still wasn't sure if this was the best course of action. If one person found out so could another and Marik had to make sure that was not going to be an option. "So, he is good with puzzles and as far as your word goes he is trustworthy. However as far as traveling is concerned, did you plan on him coming along or will he strictly help with research?"
"Depends on when the travel happens. He is working almost full time." Leaning forward, Aidan set one of Yugi's business cards from the Isaac Center on the desk before Marik. His brother's extension was handwritten on the front, and his cell phone number was scrawled on the back. "Marik, I could talk about Yugi for hours and still not answer the questions you likely have. Why don't you talk to him yourself?"
Marik looked down at the business card and without looking grabbed his Treo and began dialing the number.
It was after five, even with the long hours Yugi kept, he wouldn't still be at the office. Leaning forward again, Aidan flipped the card over and tapped it with his index finger. "Try his cell," he said quietly.
Nodding, Marik ended the first call and proceeded to call the second number. Listening to the rings he waited patiently for the pick up on the other end. Marik looked up to Aidan. "Can I offer you anything to drink?" he asked seeing as he was a guest in his house despite it was just for business.
"I'm fine, thanks," Aidan replied with a slight smile.
Yugi answered his phone with a polite and curious "Hello?" in response to the unfamiliar number on the caller ID display.
"Hello, Mr. Mutou, this is Marik Ishtar, I am here with Aidan and I am calling on matters of the hunt. Are you available for a brief talk?"
"Oh, Mr. Ishtar," Yugi replied, recognizing the name immediately; Aidan had told him about this evening's meeting. "Sure, I'm free."
"Good. I have been informed that you have been included in the research aspect of Aidan's research. Also I've been informed that you would like to come aboard on this endeavor. I would just like to know, from your own mouth how you feel you'd contribute to what we are trying to do here, as well as undeniable reassurance on your part that this hunt remains secret."
"Ah," Yugi replied, and took a deep breath. For all that he'd had to 'sell himself' so many times in the past few months, to get his job and to pass Seto's scrutiny; it didn't really get any easier. "Aidan has only told me about his part of the hunt and his current research, so I don't know enough about the larger picture to know what I'd contribute to it," he admitted, "but I do tend to see connections and how things fit together better than my brother, and I do think he's better at that than most people. When I happened to walk in on his study of the artifacts in his care -- and that was all my fault, by the way, not his -- I immediately saw several possibilities that hadn't occurred to him." He shrugged, though he knew Marik couldn't see him. "I've always been quick with puzzles and riddles and that sort of thing, and I have an eclectic range of knowledge of history and mythology from growing up with Aidan and my grandfather, even if I haven't studied it formally like my brother has."
His voice became deadly serious as he added, "I have already been sworn to secrecy about this, and I promise that when I agree to keep a secret, I can be trusted with it. I do all that's in my power to keep from leaking any hint of it to anyone, for as long as it must be kept." No matter what it costs, not for seventeen years... but then again, he hadn't been able to keep certain things secret even if he hadn't said anything back then, and he had eventually told.... Shaking his head, he forced himself to push the past away and focus on the present. On Marik.
"What do you contribute?" he asked, curious rather than challenging.
Marik listened intently to what Yugi had to say, making mental notes as he spoke. Overall he sounded earnest in his claim of secrecy, and in his knowledge of puzzle solving. "In your word as a man I will trust you; welcome aboard. As far as my contribution is concerned, I am an Egyptian expert contracted with KC as their liaison therefore; I handle history, language both current and ancient and so on."
"That's cool, sounds interesting," Yugi replied sincerely. "And thanks for trusting me. So, is there anything else I need to do or know about this project, or should I get Aidan to tell me?"
"You're welcome" Marik said simply. "Since you are aiding Aidan in his research I'll let him explain the basic ends and outs of what you need to know. However are there any other questions you wish to ask me?"
"Hmm..." Yugi considered that for a moment. "No, I don't think I know enough yet to know what I don't know. Aidan has your contact info if I do need to ask you something later, though, right?"
"Yes he does. Thank you for your time, I look forward in meeting you soon."
"Cool," Yugi replied. He'd actually expected that Marik had been calling to set up a meeting to evaluate him like Seto had, rather than doing it only over the phone -- not that he minded getting it over with. "I'll look forward to meeting you, too," he echoed, before ending the call.
Clicking the end button on his phone Marik placed it back on the table and looked up to Aidan. "It's done, Yugi seems trustworthy enough, should you inform Seto or should I?"
"You might as well," Aidan replied after a moment. "Better he hear it from you than be asked to take my word for yours."
"Very well, I'll inform him. Is there any other developments that I need to be aware of?"
Aidan chuckled slightly, relaxing back in his chair. "Not of that sort, certainly. And Yugi and I both think that we won't be able to do much with the pieces I have until we either find more of them, or find something to plug them into -- like the slot in the wall." His eyes slid to the papers on Marik's desk again. "Perhaps we'll all be ready to gather and discuss our findings soon."
"I think that we will, I have a few ideas and I would like the opinion of everyone else. Call me if you need anything." Marik said wrapping up this meeting. There wasn't much else to speak on unless Aidan wanted to engage in pleasantries, but he doubted that.
"Alright, thank you," Aidan replied, getting to his feet. "I'll look forward to it."
Standing to his feet as well Marik lead Aidan to the door and waved farewell until their next meeting.