2nd Duel

[parttimejob]

WHO: Akio, Mozenrath, Laura Palmer, Irene Adler, and Dr. Crane
WHEN: around midnight tonight and a bit after
WHERE: CES/Dueling Arena
WHAT: Second part of the duels with Crane an invited observer
WARNINGS: Probably none.
NOTES: This isn't just a traditional log. If people could chime in with what they plan. Akio won't talk to anyone himself except

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AFTER THE DUEL

[mightymorbid]

Mozenrath did not preside over the duel with the same cocky air as he held last time, as one who was confident in the eventual end of these games, humming with anticipation, for the obvious power that these rituals held and might ultimately bring him. The transformation had been unexpected, not necessarily a wrinkle in the plan -- he'd known from the beginning he wouldn't be the one driving. He could not call a setback what must have been part of the deal all along.

And telling himself this was meant to happen was the only thing that kept him from panicking for the whole of the duel. Through the entire battle he was stoic, staring, silent, and by the end he'd forgotten he had changed at all. It was only when Akio approached him after all others had gone that he turned and realized how much taller than him the other man now was.

But Akio was pleased. It meant he was doing what he was meant to do. It meant they were one step closer to that power.

He bowed his head in acquiescence, effecting the same calm he had come to identify in Akio, himself. It was comforting. There was something inside of him that was screaming, that he had to ignore to succeed, and if he buried it, he was strong. "Thank you."

AFTER THE DUEL

[parttimejob]

When he was close enough, Akio reached out a hand to Mozenrath, unsure if the younger man would take it. "You did not seem all that surprised," he observed. He felt a certain enthusiasm, a kind of pent up energy, and was more than happy to be alone with Mozenrath at the moment.

"What do you feel?"

AFTER THE DUEL

[mightymorbid]

Mozenrath took his hand almost immediately, with gentle confidence. "I refuse to be surprised, Akio," he said, smiling smoothly. "I will see this through to the end, and we will succeed."

AFTER THE DUEL

[parttimejob]

Akio knew he'd have to be both cautious and gracious. He held Mozenrath's slender hand in his. "That's very wise of you." He lifted the hand to kiss it. "You make a very convincing Rose Bride."

He wondered what Anthy would think of this. She'd not had a lot to say about the brides that had accompanied the duelists to the later duels to help draw out their heart swords. He wondered if Mozenrath still had a heart sword. He was a fierce fellow at the best of times.

Akio was fairly sure his own heart was empty.

"We will. I wonder exactly what we can get from the duelists we have left, but two have tasted victory. It must be very sweet to them." It certainly was to Akio.