[Open]

[note_atem]

Who: Atem and Open
What: Getting back in the swing of things\ around the mall all day
When: All day today
Where: Salkia Island Mall/ various stores and places
Warnings: I don't think any, guess it depends on who shows up

Comments

[loving_kitten]

He sighed as he sat at one of the benches outside the food court drinking a slushie. It was his lunch break and as per usual he was only eating soft foods since he had no desire to chew. Yuiko used to tease him about being an old man simply because he didn't want to bother chewing things. But Yuiko wasn't here

[note_atem]

It wasn't exactly hard to pick out the kid. Whether it was because the food court was slightly barren or because Ritsuka was the only one around that had cat ears.. he just sort of stuck out like a sore thumb. But he didn't seem interested in interaction.

He had seemed that way for a while, actually. It wasn't his job to fix it, or so Kaiba might say. It might have been that thought or some other relations to Rituska's withdrawn nature that had him standing still when the other got up.

"Are you alright?" What a poignant question to start with. Not even a hello.

[loving_kitten]

He winced as Atem spoke to him. He didn't want Atem to care. He didn't want any of them to care and he didn't want to care in return. He didn't want to get close to anyone anymore. Getting close only led to raised hopes. What few were remained certainly didn't remain in contact with him. It was better that we he told himself. Usagi didn't need his cynicism bringing her down, Kaiba seemed to do that well enough.

And Atem certainly didn't need him either.

He wondered if this is what Soubi felt like, wanting to be needed.

"I'm fine," he responded. The answer a litany in public and private. It took him a moment before he could construct that fake smile. "I'm fine Atem-san."

He needed to leave. Atem had a very annoying habit of seeing through his lies and he just didn't have the energy to keep lying at the moment.

[note_atem]

"Are you trying to get me to believe that? Or just you?" He wondered aloud, a slight head tilt as he kept his focused gaze on the other. Ritsuka was not fine. And he could keep saying it all he wanted but in the end Atem knew better.

He raised his arms to cross over his chest, his stance not overly defensive, just calm. Still, he couldn't really just force Ritsuka to admit he wasn't okay, or say that he was lying or talk about what was bothering him. They'd have a very few rare talks about what would bother the kid before. Atem remembered them, but it wasn't really okay to just bring them up- especially in public.

placeholder mostly ftw

[pintsizeduelist]

Yuugi had been wandering around the mall as well. Something mindless, really. Window shopping was pretty mindless. He didn't have anything for winter and he felt awkward just stealing something of Atem's in the meantime, so he's pretty much.. wearing the exact same thing as Atem is, minus the jacket.

He's not freezing, though, as he's more used to the changing weather. Might as well enjoy it.

[note_atem]

He hadn't given much thought to the clothing situation of others. He'd been too preoccupied with his own aversion to the cold that it had taken up most of the thought space. Seeing Yuugi staring into a clothing store window, however, reminded him very quickly of what was going on.

Of course Atem didn't mind Yuugi taking his clothes. But it seemed the boy wanted some of his own. That wasn't much of a problem, either. "Aibou." He said while approaching slowly.

[pintsizeduelist]

Yuugi really had no desire to buy anything, but figured making an effort was better than none. Maybe eventually he'd feel comfortable asking Atem, but for now... still kinda weird. He was toying with his necklace in the meantime, distractedly, until Atem's voice broke his thoughts and he glanced over.

"Mou hitori no boku..." habit, really. He's not putting forth the effort to try to break it. Plus... he's glad that Atem's feeling better.

"Do you work today?"

[note_atem]

His eyes strayed down to that necklace his partner was wearing. That was... new. He wondered why he hadn't noticed it before. He closed the gap more, walking slowly towards the other. His eyes eventually raised back up to Yuugi's.

He gave a small nod. "For a little while. Enough time to get pay, anyway." He loved working in the flower shop to be sure. But he just needed to some time where he wasn't working. That didn't mean he'd shirk off his responsibilities though. He did go. He just... didn't stay that long.

[shutupandduelme]

Atem's attire, presence, and everything else was completely lost on Kaiba for the moment.

He was far more interested in the bouquet of flowers that had appeared on his desk that morning, and the card that had been left with it. He had been looking for a good fifteen minutes for a suitable empty dumpster and a box of matches.

Now he just wanted to watch as he set the flowers on fire and dropped them in, saving the card for last. It was a little pointless and wasn't likely to affect Kia in the least....but it made him feel better. Even if it might have confused every single person in the mall at that moment.

[note_atem]

There was a faint smell of fire in the air. Hm. It was normal for the mall to have all sorts of sorted scents, candles or food or dusty clothing. But fire was sort of new. At least for not being in the food court or directly standing near cooking food.

Looking around caught the, not so surprising, brunet standing in front of the suspected flames. He couldn't help the confused look or the slight arch of his eyebrow.

"Causing trouble, Kaiba?" The question was light as he approached. Atem at least didn't think it was safe or legal to be setting fires this close to people.

[shutupandduelme]

The brunet dropped the last of the burning flowers in the dumpster, seemingly ignoring Atem's question. With an unamused look over his shoulder at the other, he flicked the small, pink colored card at him.

The writing was cursive and fancy, decorated with enough little hearts and sparkles to satisfy a 13 year old girl. It read 'Twenty days to your birthday, Seto!', in sparkly pink pen, with an added 'Love Kia' at the bottom.

[note_atem]

Atem caught the card between his fingers with all the grace of one of the best duelist's and then brought it forward to read it. He had a hard time holding back the small smirk that wanted so desperately to appear on his lips. No no. No laughing at Kaiba's expense. Never a good idea.

"Oh, is your birthday coming up?" Damn. He really just couldn't help himself. But it was at least proof that he was doing much better and was in a better mood and state of mind.

[eighthsight]

Ever since the bonfire, Neji had been thinking about going out and getting some warmer clothes now. When he was at the gathering, all that he could think about for ten straight minutes was why he hadn't bought any gloves to wear. He knew that it would start getting cold again, yet he ignored every thought about it.

So, today, he was going to go out and he was going to buy warmer clothes. It took a lot of work for him to even think about leaving the house, but once he had thrown on a pair of black jeans, a white tank top and tugged on his jacket over that, he'd ventured out of his apartment and started towards the mall, though warily.

Once he was inside, he rubbed his hands together to get the heat back into them, blowing lightly to warm his fingers before a certain head of tri-colored hair caught his attention. He straightened up a bit, taking a few more steps forward then raising his hand and calling out. ``Atem!``

[note_atem]

His name in the air got him to stop walking. It wasn't as if he had actually had a destination in mind anyway. Then he turned and looked around to see who was calling out for him. His eyes landed on the familiar ninja and he smiled, raising an opposite hand to give him a small wave.

"Neji."

[eighthsight]

When Atem stopped walking, a small bout of relief flooded through him; he wouldn't have to chase the other down to ask how he was doing. Picking up his pace a bit, Neji continued towards the other male, halting when he was sure that he was close enough.

``It's good to see you.`` Unharmed was the word that was left unsaid.

[note_atem]

His hands slipped into his pockets as his stance went a little lax, back curving slightly. He was at ease around Neji, obviously. Friendly and familiar as the other was.

"And you as well. How have you been doing?" He didn't remember seeing the other at the bonfire and had only talked to him sparsely before then. Then again, he didn't remember seeing a lot of people there. He'd been out of it. But... just in case, his eyes scanned around quickly for any intruding statues..