[Thread] The Strength of a Slave

[eightgemmaster]

Characters: AU!Johan Andersen, OU!Saioh Takuma, OU!Siegfried von Shroider, AU!Kaiba Seto, OU!Tenjoin Fubuki, AU!Yuki Judai, OPEN to everyone who'd like to spectate.
Where: The park
When: Forward dated to Sunday, midafternoon.
Summary: Johan has had enough of AU!Judai's insulting his status as a duelist. So, he's going to prove himself once and

Comments

Spectator Thread

[eightgemmaster]

[Spectate here, or start your own spectator thread, whichever you prefer!]

[irised_albedo]

He had a pretty idea of what to expect, given that it was an alternate version of himself duelling. Johan was actually quite interesting to see what his game face would look like -- and especially how he would look when so utterly determined. The images of his duel with Giese only inevitably started to surface as time went on, the times intrinsically linked in so many ways. Pride was on the line, to be sure, but definitely there were more subtle and profound strata of determination. Self-value. Moral correctness.

He had heard once that in ancient Greece the validity of one's argument rested solely on his ability to defend it. In some ways that was still true today, and because of that he wished himself the best of luck, even if he was sure he would not need it.

Still, for all of his thoughts, seeing himself in that nightmarish raiment was enough to tear him from his thoughts for a moment of furrowed eyebrows and awkward smirks.

[wolfofriendship]

Since hearing about this Duel, Gabumon had an idea, and had gone to talk to Otogi, someone he knew vaguely through Yamato. The dark haired human had agreed, and Gabumon had no problem with the condition placed on the deal. Free drinks for the announcer was perfectly fine for Gabumon. He pulled his wagon behind him, and began to call. "Hot popcorn! Candy! Cold drinks! Refreshments for sale!"

After all, Yamato's birthday was coming up, and it never hurt to store up a few favors.

[irised_albedo]

When the vendor's call reached Johan's ears he turned his head out of a mixture of surprise and wonder at someone actually thinking of vending in a place like this. But it was a clever gimmick, since duels were notorious crowd-getters, even if the only in attendance were duellists, of which there were quite a few in residence within the compound. But his interest was just that, momentary -- except for the double take, of course, caused by the appearance of the vendor.

If he had not been accustomed to duel spirits and other worlds, the Digimon would have excited more than an amused smirk. Possibly a gasp, or a doubt of sanity. Perhaps even lost his appetite so much he would not humour Gabumon.

"What kind of drinks?" Johan called, turning around a bit so that he was fully facing Gabumon, even if there was still some distance between them.

[wolfofriendship]

"Pretty much anything cold you care to think of," Gabumon replied. "I'm selling them for favors."

[irised_albedo]

"Favours?" His eyebrows quirked. "What kind of favours?" Perhaps it should have been obvious, but at least Johan thought his was a good question. What kind of exchange would the little guy expect for a drink? Something even? What would that be, a sheet of homework, a promise to repair any leaky faucets? But Johan also was grinning. Favours were the most economical choice given their location and the utter lack of specie and currency. Or capital, really, and already there seemed to be enough to meet their base needs.

[wolfofriendship]

"Well, Yamato's birthday is coming up, and I'm trying to gather up the resources for his birthday gift," Gabumon admitted. "So something small. Like maybe some ingredients for a meal, or a lesson in whatever the game they're playing is called."

[irised_albedo]

"Duel Monsters," Johan offered as he took a moment to look at out the two engaged duellists. Then, turning back to the digimon, he smiled. "Don't know this Yamato if yours, but he's probably a decent guy, right? So, why not. I don't see what it could hurt -- especially if it happens to be a lesson in Duel Monsters, haha! So...tea'd be good. And you could tell me what you are exactly. I'd say monster, but you're pretty human."

[wolfofriendship]

"I'm a Digimon," Gabumon said. "It's short for Digital Monster, so you're partially right." He looked over his wagon, then asked, "Cold or hot, green, black, herbal, I have a nice blueberry mint tea, and sweet or unsweetened.... Otogi was apparently quite thorough."

[irised_albedo]

"Like that?" Johan inquired, his brow quirking just a bit in vague amusement at how simply it had come off. "So, there are a lot of your kind back home? Hah... Hot, of course, and blueberry mint...not something I've tired before, but it sounds like it could good, so I'll have that. Unless you have any recommendations?"

[wolfofriendship]

"I rather like the blueberry mint, and it's best hot, with a bit of honey," Gabumon said. "It's the best thing for colds. Elecmon, the one who took care of me when I hatched, swore by it for everything except death."

"And yeah. There are more Digimon. We live in the Digital World, though. And you'd need a flowchart and about an hour to understand Digivolution lines, types, and everything. It's confusing, even for me."

[black_not_white]

There was a convenient tree, not too close to the site of the duel so as to be in the way, but close enough that it was within easy watching distance, and big enough that it could be comfortably leaned against. Manjoume was leaning against this tree, his arms crossed over his chest, watching.

He'd seen Johan asking people if they would duel him, and if he had been feeling completely back to normal yet, he probably would have decided to do so himself. Stupid colds and their interfering with sleep schedules and stuff like that.

Still, he intended to watch. He had noticed exactly who had accepted Johan's challenge, and the fact that Saiou was on the list was not something that he was particularly happy about, but he would watch anyway, and he would try his hardest not to make a scene over this. He wasn't going to let Saiou or the Light or anyone determine what he was going to do with his life except for himself - he could be in the same park as the man without blowing up, and he would prove that.

[wolfofriendship]

Gabumon noticed the young man by himself, and headed over to him. "Hey, interested in a snack or a drink?" he asked. "I've got popcorn, candy, and pretty much any cold drink you can think of."

[black_not_white]

Noticing the... striped blue wolf that walked on two legs and had a horn, was the only way he could describe it, asking him if he wanted refreshments, it took Manjoume a moment to figure out how to respond. Not out of surprise that such a creature could exist - he'd seen far too much in his lifetime to be surprised by something like that - but out of slight jumpiness at being asked such a question by such a creature at the moment.

He quickly regained his composure, however, and replied, "Maybe later. I'm not really all that hungry or thirsty right now."

[wolfofriendship]

"All right, just let me know if you want anything later on," Gabumon said.

[black_not_white]

Manjoume nodded and made a quiet half-grunt that, while being completely noncommital on the subject, indicated that he would take the offer into consideration should he change his mind. His focus then drifted back to the duel currently in progress - trying to keep his eyes on just the duel, not the duelists.