[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.

[blizzardprince]

Fubuki was excited. He always enjoyed any occasion where he could be in the spotlight. It had occurred to him that if he didn't love dueling itself so much, he would probably enjoy being a commentator full-time. He bounded onto the scene, microphone in hand, looking around eagerly for Johan.

[eightgemmaster]

Johan spotted Fubuki; he did not know the other very well, but their paths had crossed now and then in his own world, and he suspected the one he knew and this one were much alike.

"Fubuki!" he called out, waving briefly as he came a bit closer. "Thanks for the help with this."

[blizzardprince]

"No problem. It's going to be fun!" Fubuki assured him. He gave Johan's outfit a quick evaluation. "Hey, I like the look. I should get an outfit like that."

[eightgemmaster]

"It's my dueling outfit. All the slave duelists back home wear something like this." Johan said, brushing off a stray bit of blown trash. His eyes narrowed slightly. "He didn't think that much of it." That was just one of the reasons he was doing this.

[tarot_umbrella]

Saioh walked calmly towards the dueling field wearing his usual dreamy expression, as though he were simply out for a stroll with a Duel Disk strapped to his wrist. He did, however, pick out the duelist he was looking for and let his eyes focus on him.

"Johan Anderson, I presume," he said.

[eightgemmaster]

Johan looked at the person who called his name and nodded. That wasn't Kaiba, obviously, so it was either Saioh Takuma or Siegfried von Shroider. "One of my opponents, I presume?" he asked with a faint grin. The Gem Beasts murmured to one another, pleased that everything was about to get started.

[tarot_umbrella]

"Saioh Takuma, at your service," said Saioh with a polite inclination of his head. His gaze shifted to somewhere slightly beyond Johan, his brows knitting slightly. "You brought friends."

[eightgemmaster]

Johan tilted his head some. "You can see the Gem Beasts?" He'd wondered who else around there could see the spirits of Duel Monsters. Could this Saioh do it?

[sieggyrose]

Dueling didn't seem to be as common a practice in Econtra as it was at home, and so upon seeing a challenge, Siegfried had been quick to accept. So far Siegfried's dueling hadn't gone as well as he was accustomed. He'd only won a single duel since his arrival.

As Siegfried approached the dueling field, he hoped to change that luck.

[eightgemmaster]

Johan had taken a brief break after the duel with Saioh, to catch his breath even more and relax from the intensity of how close that had been. He didn't expect the others to be any less impressive and close, either.

He noticed a pink haired man on the field as he headed back, and came closer. "Seigfried von Schroider?" It had to be; he'd already dueled Saioh and he knew what Kaiba Seto looked like, at least in his world, and pink hair was not involved.

[sieggyrose]

This, Siegfried realized, must be the young man who'd laid down the dueling challenge. He didn't look particularly impressive to Siegfried, but looks could be quite deceiving. And, whatever Johan's appearance, Siegfried couldn't help but noticed that he carried himself with the confidence of a competent duelist.

"Ja," Siegfried said in answer to the question.

[eightgemmaster]

Johan had seen enough variations in duelists during his years in his world to know one when he saw one. Siegfried was definitely one, even if he hadn't had the duel disk to prove it.

"Johan Andersen. I'm ready to duel whenever you are." Again that thrill shot through him. This was what he lived for! At last, he was again taking steps towards his ultimate goal, even if these duels wouldn't count in his world. The practice alone would, however.

[yesiamkaiba]

Kaiba stood off to the side, watching the spectacle that was the first two duels. Johan was good. She had to admit that. She didn't know who his first opponent was, but he put up a good fight. She knew that she wouldn't forget this duel for a while.

Now she just had to wait for her turn and see what he could do against three Blue Eyes.

[eightgemmaster]

Johan took another break after Siegfried, and when he was ready, once more stepped out onto the dueling field. He could hardly believe what was going to happen now. A duel against Kaiba Seto.

He spied her right away. Then he took another look. Yes. Her. She was female. Well, that wasn't quite what he was expecting. But, as he'd said...if she had the strength and the deck, what else mattered?

"Kaiba Seto?" he asked politely.

[yesiamkaiba]

She nodded, looking over at him. He had an interesting outfit to duel in, but she didn't make a remark. Who was she to talk when she still wore the usual coat that she had started Battle City in?

"You must be Johan Anderson. You have an interesting deck."

[eightgemmaster]

He nodded some, grinning. "The Gem Beasts are special." It was only the truth, after all. He brushed a bit of sweaty hair out of his eyes and drew in a breath. "I'm ready whenever you are."