[open] [genderbent AU]

[note_atem]

The Duelist Ball is a special, invite only, very fancy affair. Pegasus was really going all out for this, sparing no expense for such a star-studded, beautiful evening. The invitation was very pushy about bringing a date (god help you if you didn't, who knew what Pegasus would do to you if you showed up alone). There was really only one woman you

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[shutupandduelme]

At least Atem was in good company. This was a Duelist's Ball, not an event made for networking or dealmaking with anyone important. Pegasus was running it. He had been terribly pushy about bringing a date, which implied that the dancing and socializing part of the party would be emphasized. All of it added up to something Kaiba Seto wanted no part in. But Pegasus had been ready, as he usually was when dealing with his most stubborn of business partners. So Kaiba was here, in his pristine white suit, waiting for the only female he trusted enough to get in a car with him. Nobody had spoken a word about what Pegasus had on him that was making him go.

Blue eyes blinked when she appeared at the door, Kaiba for once looking a bit surprised when she came out. Maybe it was the hair. "...It doesn't matter," the brunet said after recovering. "Pegasus will fall all over himself if we show up within the last five minutes."

Stiffly, his hand rose to hold out a delicate red rose and baby's breath corsage. "..It was suggested to me that I should give such a thing to you," he muttered stiffly. The tabloids might have been telling the truth when they said he didn't usually take dates to public events like this. It showed terribly.

[note_atem]

Atem might have had some memories of how to carry herself graciously when she was made up this way. It was a far cry from Egypt but some delicate behaviors could always be remembered. She was still as stiff as the man standing opposite her, however, and suddenly she realized how much awkwardness she would have to endure through this ordeal. But at least she was dealing alongside Kaiba.

The only thing she really had to worry about was how obvious she let her anxiousness and nervousness show. It was never something she would feel okay to show to Kaiba, but the pit of her stomach was already in knots, and her hand was shaking as she reached out to take it.

The corsage was slipped on quickly before she forced a grin and stepped out of the apartment and shut the door. She also seemed to be dwelling hard on the shock that had appeared on Kaiba's face, drawing a red blush to her own. Her hands smoothed out her dress in nervous fashion before she turned. "Those very same tabloids will have a lot to talk about tomorrow no doubt."

[shutupandduelme]

The brunet rolled his eyes with a snort. "If they didn't have this, they would make something up," he said.

A tilt of his head toward the waiting limo and a purposeful turn toward it was the only warning he gave her before he walked off. Why bother with small talk when it was clear they both didn't really want to bother with this?

[note_atem]

She followed after him as quick as she could manage, but it was obvious she wasn't used to such fine pointed heels or the lines of her gown. She was doing her best, but it wasn't as quick as usual. It was unfortunate because it made her feel not up to par with him.

"If it makes you feel any better, they'll probably have more to say about me. You look all business as usual." Again that anxious feeling swept her, this time accompanied by the feeling of utter stupidity. "I don't know why I let the others talk me into dressing like this." She was out of place and she knew it. Trying to fill in that void was only going to make it worse. But if she pointed it out first at least no one could wound her feelings with this information later.

[shutupandduelme]

He paused at the limo, waiting. His face remained blank, so it wasn't clear why exactly he was waiting, though.

"I expect," he said coolly, "that the other women at this event will be wearing something similar. You won't be out of place or calling attention to yourself this way." The more typical leather and tight clothing she usually preferred probably would.

[note_atem]

"I care about the other attendees of this ball just as much as I do its host." She replied with a flat look. It moved into a smile after just another moment. Her eyes drifted towards the door and she moved as if she was going to get in first.

Before she did, however, she glanced back at him. "And if said host gets too far out of hand, tabloids regardless, I will put him in his place." A precautionary warning, because she was only too sure that he would do something of the sort. With that she ducked her head and hiked her dress up and slid into the limo.

[shutupandduelme]

A corner of the CEO's lip twitched upward.

"You assume he'll be focusing much on you," he said as he slid into the car behind her. "He wants me there very badly. I assume I will be pounced on with the reason why as soon as I come in the door. You're here....hn...you're not going to go behind my back and work with him just because he offered you something."

The door was shut by the driver, and they were very quickly on their way. Kaiba might be able to get away with being late as he pleased, but it didn't exactly fit his reputation to be too late.

[note_atem]

"I wouldn't work with him even if he offered me everything I desire." She gruffed, not too impressed with the man. She never would be. Who knew why she was really come, if not solely a courtesy to Seto, because she wasn't doing it for Pegasus.

Even with her attitude seeming to sway back to normal, the closer they got the more apparent it became that she was uncomfortable. Every so often her hand would reach up to tuck a rebellious stray blonde lock behind her ear, and her hands would go to smoothing out her dress. This was no place for her. She didn't look right wearing any of this; she felt all of it at once.

[shutupandduelme]

"I expected that. It's the main reason why you're here," Kaiba said easily. Certainly the formal setting and her outfit had nothing to do with it. Absolutely not. He only glanced over at her from time to time because it was so different.

Her anxiousness was noted, though. But the time the limo came to a stop, he was offering his hand out to her, if only to steady hers.

"There are cameras out there. I can already see them," he said matter-of-factly. "Any hint of nerves will be noticed. I suggest you walk in with me."

[note_atem]

The hand was enough for her to feel that rush of faint heat on her face, if only because she'd been caught. She felt stupid. The mention of cameras drew her attention away from him and towards the windows, though, and her look fell. She'd expected as much but what Kaiba was saying was true. Image was everything, and she wasn't sure she liked hers all of a sudden.

But there was nothing to do about it now. Her eyes met his with a light smile. "Well I didn't come here with anyone else." The tease was terrible but somehow it served to make her feel somewhat better.

[shutupandduelme]

As if she would go with anyone else. No one in this city could rival the young CEO of Kaiba Corporation for wealth or for fame.

"Just keep your head up and don't say anything to them," he instructed with the ease of someone who had gone through that gauntlet many times. "If you even look at them, you encourage them."

[note_atem]

A small nod of acknowledgment was given as she was back to looking out the tinted windows. The hand with his tensed slightly but she drew a breath to calm herself. This was the worst person in her eyes to be losing her composure in front of.

"As long as he hasn't let them infect the actual area we'll be in everything will be fine." She was confident of that much.