YGO PSL | ❝ someone who can hear me and drink from the light, is anybody out there? ❞

[guidingmoonlight]

INSOMNIA

( cont from here )

[ Lunafreya nods in confirmation. Her family had not always been nobility, but had in fact been regarded highly. At some point they had married into nobility and their path had been set from there. Although, she is not sure that her bloodline would have continued on if they hadn't married into royalty. Turmoil had always set in, and seemed to only escalate once they had moved past the ancient times. ]

Yes. Though, I doubt you would find any news of them in the wide scale public news these days. [ Not since her mother's death. Her brother's marriage did little to garner attention, but, perhaps that was for the best. ] The status of noble hardly matters in today's modern era.

[ The minds of his friends being trapped? Her gaze wanders to the side as she ponders. That is certainly beyond what she is capable of healing. Her skill set was far removed from this conversation and she aimed to keep it that way. Atem had enough to weigh down on his shoulders. The last he needed was the awareness of her true title and full scope of her duty. He most certainly had a plan in mind to reverse the state his friends were in regardless. ]

Seto Kaiba is the one who has created the level of augmentation, has he not? [ Her expressions settles into something of a serious nature. She may not know the rules of this card game, or how to play it, but she certainly knows the names attached to it. It was brought to her attention after the tournaments grew far too popular. ] The game is far too dangerous to be treated the way it is -- regardless if technology had not been introduced. It would have been better if Maximilian Pegasus had never created it.

[ The drop of formality around the creator of the game certainly does not imply familiarity. Quite the opposite. Lunafeya believes the man to be a naive visionary who refused to see how ignorant he had become. The details of the Egyptian Gods are not ones she knows, but, she would be far from surprised to learn of such things. Enough of the creatures in the game are depictions of real ones.

She glances over the menu before giving him a gentle smile. ]

Chamomile tea.

Comments

[guidingmoonlight]

[ Yugi's eyebrows raise. 'You mean last night?'

He's more confused at the timing than the fact Atem needed a walk. In fact, he doesn't seem bothered at all that his other self would need time in control. As long as he wakes up in nearly the same place... well, he won't have an issue. ]

Yes. The Oracle is a tradition that hails from Ancient Greece, just as your Millennium Items hail from Ancient Egypt. They believed that speaking with what you refer to as Duel Monsters and creating a balanced harmony yielded better results than placing the spirits into stone slabs and making battle with them. The Oracle of Delphi was consulted on state and religious affairs, while the minor Oracle was consulted when it came to balancing the worlds.

My grandmother was the Oracle. My grandfather was inspired to restore what he could of the old world as the monarchies had collapsed at the turn of the century. He wished to preserve the history that the modern world turned a blind eye to. That drive along side my grandmother drove him to learn of the Shadow Games of Ancient Egypt, which led him to meet your grandfather. I very much doubt he knew much of the Millennium Items before hand.

[ Yugi looks down as he thinks it over. He mulls the information over, but glances up when his grandpa laughs. ]

He was always bad at blackjack. Not that he would have won in chess against me!

[ifthereiswill]

[ Pretend that I'm not a dodo who forgets details. Atem nods, but he also looks slightly abashed. Perhaps his timing wasn't the best, but he found himself feeling far too restless for his own liking. ]

Yes, last night. I shouldn't have gone, but as I said, I grew restless and needed a moment.

[ Except a moment turned into several. He falls silent again, because Lunafreya's explanation is riveting, because he hadn't known all of the nuances that came with the role of Oracle. Neither had he known of the extent of Lunafreya's family's history, so that too is also of great interest to him.

There's also the connection between Lunafreya's family and Yugi's. Perhaps things are much more interconnected than he'd ever realized. ]

[inheritedpuzzle]

[ Awh but you're my rp dodo friendo ♥

Yugi shakes his head slightly at Atem. 'It's fine, Other Me. I don't mind'

Then, he looks at his Grandpa with a bit of a smirk. ] Maybe you should play a game against the Other Me sometime, Grandpa. See if you can still say you're great at games.

Oh, I'm past my prime, I don't need to be reminded of it...

[ Yugi smiles a bit. 'It just sounds like he's trying to get out of being beaten.'

Yugi does have one question on his mind. He tilts his head back to look at Lunafreya again. She stands there with her Trident across her still, hands holding it in a gentle fashion. So, the Oracle keeps the peace between worlds? The monsters in the Shadow Games are real... and that means they're the ones that she can talk to?

'I know your memories are lost, Other Me, but does anything about the Oracle sound familiar?' ]

So, what can you... do? How do you talk to them?

[ Lunafreya shares another glance towards Solomon who nods in approval. She looks back at the two, unaware if the Pharaoh is with them or not. In fact, she is just now settling on the understanding that the man she spoke with the night before and the one in front of her are different. It's in their eyes, and how they speak. ]

May I see your deck? If Ousama agrees.

[ifthereiswill]

[ ♥ sorry you have to put up with me and my spaciness

Atem just nods in response. ] All right, if you're sure. [ Still, he doesn't plan on turning that into a habit.

But then Yugi makes that suggestion, and in spite of himself, Atem smiles and laughs. ] Playing against your grandfather would be quite the challenge, I'm sure. And I'm quite certain that he's still able to duel and make it a difficult one at that.

[ He would never force Solomon to duel him, but he can't pretend that to do so wouldn't be a great honor. Yugi addresses him again, and his expression sobers just a fraction. ]

I wish that it did, but nothing that she's explained so far seems familiar to me. [ It shouldn't be a surprise at this point, but even he hope that something Lunafreya said would stir up a memory, or at least a spark of recognition. ]

She wants to see our deck? [ He's not surprised, exactly; in fact, he's curious, and because of that, he nods. ] Of course I agree. As long as you're all right with it as well.

[guidingmoonlight]

[ and you have to put up with my ridiculousness ;~;

Yugi is still fairly certain that his grandfather is trying to getting out of dueling the Pharaoh. Either out of respect or simply because he wanted his pride in tact. Yugi isn't sure which one it really is.

Lunafreya turns her head to look at Solomon, asking silent permission one final time. The older man opens an eye and glances between herself and Yugi before nodding. She bows deeply as a sign of gratitude before turning to face Yugi and Atem. Yugi nods to Atem before reaching into the deck holster and pulling it out, holding it out to Lunafreya.

She takes the deck gently with great care, as if it is a precious relic. The Trident rests against her shoulder as her other hand covers the deck and she closes her eyes. A smile touches her face. ]

There is a great respect and admiration for the both of you from these spirits. Almost a sense of honor in being chosen to battle along side you.

[ Her head tilts then and an eye opens. There is one particular monster that speaks out the most amid the many voices. An ancient voice... making her wonder on how deep the connections go. She fans the cards out between her fingers. One card is pushed forward by her thumb and she draws it with her other hand.

It is rather obvious she has never played the game.

Lunafreya looks the card over. The Dark Magician. It is a rather simply designed card, and would certainly be just a card if wielded by someone else. She collapses the deck again in her hand before closing her eye once again. There is a slight charge in the air; a breeze that seems to be pulling in one direction. In a blink of an eye the Dark Magician comes into form being Lunafreya.

Yugi leaps out of his chair in surprise, sending it backwards. The Dark Magician nods in respect to the wielder of the Millennium Puzzle. Then, his eyes move straight to meet Atem's. He bows deeply then.

Pharaoh.

Lunafreya half-turns to look at the monster with a look of understanding crossing her face. ]

D-Dark Magician?! But it's--

You are correct, Yugi-sama. He is not a hologram.

[ifthereiswill]

[ we can just be ridiculous and spacey together, it's fine

Atem would never dream of forcing Solomon into anything he isn't comfortable with, but the fact remains that dueling him would be an honor.

For now, though, he just watches as Yugi gives their deck to Lunafreya, curious about what might happen when the Oracle meets the deck that they've put together.

But then she pulls out the Dark Magician, and he leans in a bit, both because he feels drawn to that monster in particular and because he wants to see what will happen next.

What does occur next is clearly something neither he nor Yugi were expecting. Dark Magician materializes right in front of them, and before Atem even knows what's happening, he's bowing to him. Confusion shows itself plainly on Atem's face as he watches this unfold. ]

I don't understand how this is happening. [ Well, he understands enough to know that somehow, Lunafreya's status as Oracle is making something happen to bring Dark Magician forward, but he doesn't understand this any more clearly than Yugi does. ]

[guidingmoonlight]

[ Despite the shock, the Dark Magician remains where he was summoned. His staff crosses over his chest with arms folded as he looks at the two duelist. The younger is coming along well, while the Pharaoh he has sworn himself to is baffled. A look of understanding crosses his face then as his gaze turns back to the Oracle.

'Much remains shrouded... memories will come in time.'

Lunafreya nods, despite she does not quite understand all of what he implies. Still, she turns back to the pair that almost can't believe their eyes. She smiles then. ]

To answer your question... The Oracle speaks to them as we would to one another. Thoughts, emotions, body language. They are all present within them. Duel Monsters are beings - as you and I are - and have existed with our world for thousands of years.

The Ancient Egyptians would use their energy to summon them and seal them away in stone tablets. The methods my ancestors developed was to attempt to make relations and exist along side them. [ She glances back at the Magician who nods, giving his permission. ] You called him the Dark Magician - yes? His is an ancient soul, very proud and full of knowledge. He has a fondness for both of you, but an undying loyalty to you, Ousama. It seems to be an ancient bond.

[ Yugi turns to look at Atem then. 'An ancient bond? Do you think that you knew him back in Ancient Eygpt? It must be why he is always in our deck. You know him. ]

[ifthereiswill]

[ Of course, Atem would be lying if he said he doesn't feel a connection to the Dark Magician, even though he doesn't fully know why. He's his favorite card, yes, but for reasons he barely understands, there's a feeling in the back of his mind that maybe the Dark Magician once meant much more to him, but with his memories sealed, he can't remember.

He listens thoughtfully as Lunafreya goes on to explain how she communicates with the monsters from the card game. To her, it seems as though they're much more than just monsters or cards, and that's a notion that he can agree with.

Then he turns to glance at Yugi, confusion still clear on his face, but now he just has more questions than before. ]

I suppose that I might have. I've always felt as though there was something drawing me to him, but I just thought that was because he was the card I played most often during duels. [ Or rather, most often when he found himself in a tight spot. ]

I wish that I could remember him as he truly is, not just as a card inside our deck.

[ Of course he can see him standing there in front of them, but that on its own does nothing to restore his sealed away memories.

Evidently, the Magician can see him just as easily as he can see Yugi, so Atem turns to face him next. ] I'm sorry that I can't remember you or why you were important to me.

[guidingmoonlight]

[ Yugi nods to the sentiment. He glances down as Atem addresses the Dark Magician. It's an odd feeling he doesn't even belong in this conversation when it's his house and his kitchen. Not that he brings attention to the feelings at all. This tournament is about getting Atem's memories back and finding out what happened with the Millennium Puzzle. He's there to help him do that -- and he's more than willing. He pauses the moment he feels a hand on his head. He glances up to see Lunafreya smiling down at him with reassurance.

She can't read minds, can she?

The Dark Magician shakes his head at the Pharaoh's apology. A hand raises as if to dismiss it. 'The knowledge will come in time. Things have been set in motion.'

Lunafreya turns her attention back to the Magician before looking at where he is. Of course, she cannot see the Pharaoh, but presumes that is who the Magician addresses. It seems like she and Yugi will play a similar role in this. ]

He says there is no need for apologies, heika. He is certain the knowledge will come in time.

[ Yugi glances at the Magician again. ] He can hear Other Me too?

He can indeed. The two will need to learn how to communicate with one another--and you too will learn as well.

[ifthereiswill]

[ If Atem knew that Yugi was feeling that way, he'd insist that they shift the focus away from himself and back to Yugi. This is his house, his kitchen, and the rest of them are more or less guests there. Never mind that Atem's been Yugi's constant shadow for a long time now, but he never wants his friend to feel as though he doesn't belong, whether in a conversation or in anything else.

Knowing that Lunafreya can't see him, he turns to look her direction anyway. This must feel odd to her, speaking to someone that she can't even see, but he supposes she's seen odder things before. ]

If only I had half of his certainty. Neither Yugi or I know where to begin, except that we must participate in this tournament. [ And even then, that isn't really much of a signpost directing them where to go or what to do. ]

We can't even know that this is truly what we're meant to be doing. [ Oh, they've had some experiences that pointed them to this tournament, and of course, part of him still believes that it may be their destiny to do this, but it's difficult knowing that they won't know how everything fits until it happens. In that sense, Atem really does like to have everything laid out in front of him and arranged, thus eliminating some of the guessing.

This feels more like dominoes falling, and none of them know which way the pieces will fall. ]

It seems that at every turn, something else unexpected turns up. [ But even as he says that, he offers the Magician a fond sort of smile. He's in his deck for a reason, and there's no shaking the fond sort of familiarity he has for the magic user. If it's possible for them to learn how to communicate, then he'll put every effort into making that happen. ]

[guidingmoonlight]

[ Lunafreya turns her gaze to look at the Dark Magician once again. He meets her gaze as an equal and merely shakes his head. He is forbidden from sharing what he knows. Magic seals, promises, and the knowledge that the Pharaoh can only face it when he is ready. Knowledge itself can be a burden.

She moves her hand from Yugi's head to his shoulder in silent support.

Yugi sighs. ] There's always something we don't expect that shows up. It's just difficult to know where to go or what to do.

Destiny has a way to weave its threads in ways we cannot see or understand. A general sense of goal or calling may be thrust upon us, but, that does not mean we know every step to take. It is up to us to find a way to meet our destiny.

[ Yugi raises his eyebrows. ] You have one too?

[ Lunafreya turns back to the Magician. He nods, finally landing on his feet to stand evenly with all of them. His gaze briefly moves to the silent grandfather who listens carefully in on the whole conversation. ]

To bring a spirit such as your Dark Magician into this realm takes either training to channel energy, or, something akin to a Shadow Game. Some can even bring them into our world without them being aware that they have. It is my place to ease such things and guide them to where they belong. There is no documentation that taught me how to. I trained and learned without guidance, but, still received the help from my best friend.

[ The Magician turns his gaze back to Lunafreya at the statement. An unvoiced question receives a silent nod to answer. ]

[ifthereiswill]

[ As Atem listens to Lunafreya converse with the Dark Magician and with Yugi, he finds himself feeling somewhat confused by his presence here, even though he's glad to see him, of course. Their next steps that extend beyond the tournament at hand still seem to be unclear to him, despite both his and Yugi's best efforts to try and work out what they should be or how they should look.

And neither can he see how what Lunafreya says applies to their current situation, but whether he can see it or not, the least he can do is listen to her words with respect. Everything has its meaning and importance, and he's certain there's a purpose behind all of this as well. ]

It seems as though you hold quite an important role, then, perhaps an even greater one than ours. [ He nods to Yugi then; they both have an important role to play, but somehow, Lunafreya's seems much more significant. He's always thought as much, just based on what she's told him so far; her words now only confirm that for him. She seems to be a bridge for the spirits, a guidepost for them, and that only makes his respect for her increase. ]

[guidingmoonlight]

[ Yugi looks from Atem back to the Lunafreya. ] The Other Me thinks what you do might be more important than what we do.

[ To that, Lunafreya shakes her head slightly. ] No. My role is in majority a passive one. I believe that what you two might accomplish here will shape the world to come. It may not be the foundation of a country or a government, but, sometimes the largest changes go unnoticed by the majority of the world. Simply look at how much has changed because of one card game. Look at what the two of you have accomplished because of that game. The two of you have a path carved ahead of you that will find a way to call you back time and time again.

And, for every trail that you will face, [ she half turns again to the Dark Magician and bows deeply to him. He in return bows his head. ] Your Magician will be at your side. All you need do is call upon him and he will aid you in any situation he can.

[ifthereiswill]

[ Atem just folds his hands together then as he ponders Lunafreya's words, knowing that she is ultimately correct. But what he and Yugi do isn't the only important thing. Lunafreya and her responsibilities are significant as well, and he's made up his mind that he won't ever view them as anything less than what they are. Her role might be passive, but that doesn't mean it's any less meaningful.

As for the Dark Magician and the assistance he offers, Atem is grateful for it as always. He's a mainstay of his deck, but he's much more than that, as Atem is beginning to realize. ]

I have a feeling that we may need both of you before the end. [ The end of what? This tournament? Perhaps... But there always seems to be some great challenge that rises up even as one is concluding.

Atem might not be able to see the future or know what is coming next, but he just has a feeling that both Lunafreya and the Dark Magician will have important roles to play as events unfold.

.... Or perhaps it's only wishful thinking talking. ]

[guidingmoonlight]

[ Lunafreya can only begin to guess at what the importance is between the spirit of the Millennium Puzzle and the Dark Magician. It most certainly a soul bond, but it is far deeper and ancient. In many ways, it reminds her of the bond between her and Gentiana. However, the Pharaoh is far older than her, and thus it makes their bond all the more impressive.

The Magician nods firmly in resolve. Lunafreya, of course, is unable to hear what Atem has said. All she can do is guess by the reactions of the spirit beside her and the teenager who stands almost star struck by the display around him. ]

Well, we might need the help of both of you through this tournament. [ Yugi paraphrases what Atem has said. ] There is someone after the Egyptian God Cards, but... there's a more personal reason that we entered Battle City.

[ Lunafreya looks to the Magician once again. His expression falls ever so slightly, but his gaze says that he has far more knowledge of the situation. Her head tilts in a question she knows that he will not answer. A glance to the side is given before her attention returns back to Yugi. ]

Should you and Ousama ever need my help, then please, call upon me.