Villain Ryous are the new black.

[this_space4rent]

[Suddenly, a British accent rings out through the dark, accompanied by the sound of sneakers tripping over themselves.]

H-hello? Anybody?

.....Oh dear.

[Something around his neck jangles in the silence.]

[[ooc: Soooo I decided to give Bluebell his landlord back. And give them a dubverse AU since we need more Ted Lewis up in here. Information in

Comments

Even if they're on different villainous sides?

[indarknessbound]

[Fortunately, he doesn't recognise the voice, or it would be a rather more nervous Brooklime approaching the sound of a bemused DR resident.]

Hello?

[He glances around for the speaker. Brooklime's Ring is rather less jangly.]

[indarknessbound]

[It's kind of difficult to stay wary when alternate Brooklime seems so harmless. He's... so polite.]

In name only. Sure. But- you have the ring, right? [He is being about as subtle as a sledgehammer. Possibly he should work on that.]

There's a cafe. Somewhere. [He would motion pointedly to the darkness, but it would be redundant.] Not sure I can find it without the lights on, though. I'm pretty new here- I hope you don't mind a few wrong turns.

[this_space4rent]

Oh, yes, of course! [Nervous laughter. He holds the Ring up and shakes it to demonstrate.] Keep that on me at all times, ha-ha...

And wrong turns are no trouble at all! It's an adventure. Or at least that's what I call it when I turn up someplace unexpected. Bit of an awkward habit, I'm afraid.

[He goes on a lot of "adventures".]

[indarknessbound]

Well, at least we have that in common. The Ring and the unexpected, that is.

[It occurs to Brooklime that 'unexpected' might not just refer to ending up thousands of meters in the air on a blimp. Oh. Half-formed smile fading. But then-]

Just out of interest, what's happened to you so far? Have you competed in Battle City tournament?

[He sets off in vaguely the direction of the cafe. 'Vaguely' here meaning 'Brooklime picks a direction and prays'.]

[this_space4rent]

C-competed? Me?!

[Your double just squeaked, Brooklime. It's a beautiful day to be named Ryou Bakura. You're associated with the most competent of people.]

It just began, but I'm not participating! I'm - looking for my friends, actually. Er. Our friends, I suppose. They're your friends too.

Am I really going to compete?

[But - what better way to get closer to Yugi? Maybe he succeeds in stealing the new Item he was looking for...]

[indarknessbound]

[Brooklime suspects that anyone who squeaks that way when surprised is not about to go about taking their destiny into their own hands and forming an alliance with Marik Ishtar.

Except, that leaves the Yugi of this version's world completely unprotected from the Pharaoh...]

Well, you won't exactly do it voluntarily, if you're anything like me. But you'll even make it to the finals. [There is absolutely no pride in that statement. If anything, he's beginning to sound a little distant. Nothing like a mention of mutual friends to make a guy brood.] Though I wouldn't wish that on anyone - if you can avoid it, do.

[this_space4rent]

[He's working on it...the taking initiative thing, at least.]

Ah...all right? Though I really think you must be a much better duelist than me! I only have a deck because I liked the cards...

[Why are you saying such ominous things? ;A;]

So really, I don't think you have to worry about me!

[indarknessbound]

Oh- no! I'm really not a great duelist, just a casual player. I only got the cards because I liked the artwork. [Little bit of hypocrisy showing through with regards to the politeness, here. Not that Brooklime's going to acknowledge that.

Also, subtlety is not going to work here. For want of a better tactic, he goes back to hitting people over the head with facts.]

That Ring's occupied, right? [How to say this without alerting the Spirit inside it...] Well, your tenant will be the one playing.

[There, that sounded almost casual. Sort of.]

[this_space4rent]

[He brightens.]

Oh. Oh! Yes, that makes much more sense. Goodness, you had me all worried, there....I thought I'd be making a fool of myself trying to remember all the rules! There are so many new ones for this tournament, you know....

[Fading into nervous laughter.]

Ah, I feel so much better now.

his immediate reaction: 'but friendship!'

[indarknessbound]

[...something is deeply wrong here.]

That's not the reaction I expected.

[This said with deep suspicion. Who says alternate Ring Spirits are good actors? This might be an incredibly badly disguised one. It would certainly explain the differences in personality though the accent might be trying too hard.

More cautiously,] Our friends will be at risk. Doesn't that worry you?

[this_space4rent]

[Oh, he is the worst actor ever. He got too relaxed. Clematis has to remember that from now on, it really is him and the Ring against the world. Why, if this other Ba-ku-ra is acting too, he's an inspiration!]

--oh, it's....it's that kind of problem. I - I didn't know.

[At least he doesn't have to feign being sheepish.]

Now I feel just awful. Does everyone come out all right?

[indarknessbound]

[He's not usually one to get so visibly annoyed at people, but this is himself (probably). Somehow, that makes it different. Indignantly,] No, they don't. And in my world, at least, you're the one who's supposed to be helping them.

[Via removing yourself from the group completely, putting absolute faith in Marik's words and murdering your Ring spirit. But that's not important right now.]

[this_space4rent]

[He flinches away, looking and feeling miserable. Helping them out of a tight spot does sound like the perfect way to keep close...]

I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I didn't know. I'll do my best!

I'm never any help to anybody, it's awful....but if I'm all they've got then I won't let them down....

[indarknessbound]

[At that, he softens. And feels awful. He managed to make himself flinch - a fantastic victory in the 'not feeling like an irredeamable monster' department.]

Sorry. it's just important, that's all. You'll have to make difficult decisions.

[Something that you... don't necessarily look cut out for. He clutches at anything he can say to make things better, and ends up babbling.]

But- it'll turn out fine! I mean, I'm still helping my friends, and besides, you'll be free, by the end, and that's worth almost anything, right? [Oops. Let's... hope there isn't a ring spirit listening? He may just have ruined his double's chances of destroying it.]

[this_space4rent]

Free...?

[Of what? Of having to trick everybody, of being nervous? Of worrying about the Ring's loyalty? That's got to be it! He sighs, and does his best to feel strong and brave and tricky. He'll need it if he's going to face his inevitable future.]

Yes, I'd give anything for that! I won't let anybody down. Not my friends and not myself.

You're rather an inspiration, if you managed it!

[indarknessbound]

[This is looking slightly more promising. Maybe a double who will do better than Brooklime did, and find a new way to save his friends?]

You'll work out everything - you'll have help. It will all make sense, after Battle City.

[That next bit ellicits an odd strangled noise. Complete with 'rabbit in headlights' expression and nearby door handles giving a judder.]

...'Inspirational' isn't the word I'd use.