synthneon | YGO PSL | ❝ i am not lying, i am just trying to find my way in to you. ❞

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YGO PSL | ❝ i am not lying, i am just trying to find my way in to you. ❞

( continued from yonder! )

[ Her other hand raises and gestures to the bed behind him. It had been a set of normal circumstances in getting ready to rest for the night. Even down to the fact she was dressed for bed. Unspoken, of course is how she misses his presence. It hardly matters in their current circumstances -- or at all. Pinning for one does none of them any good. Priorities and needs will always shift, and, Lunafreya has always believed those come before wants and desires.

Although she has been known to be young and naive in such ways.

Lunafreya shifts her gaze back to him in order to answer his next question. "Answer" that is. He has been able to understand her thus far at least.

Then, a change in the air.

Yugi appears beside Atem. He looks between Lunafreya and his partner. ]

Other Me? What's going on?

[ Lunafreya glances at the space where she feels the shift in the air. She turns back to surveying the room with one hand remaining on his shoulder to help her stay upright. A hand raises out beside her in order to try and summon her Trident. That, as it turns out, was the wrong decision to make. Her arm starts to shake as it feels sharp pricks make its way up her skin.

A soundless gasp leaves her at the sudden pain. In a sweeping moment, she crumbles back down to the ground where she had once stood.

Yugi's attention snaps to her as it sinks in that they're in her room. ]

Luna?!

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[ He watches as she tries to show him without speaking what she'd been doing before whatever's afflicting her happened, and he nods in understanding. She hadn't been doing anything unusual at all, so it makes even less sense that something like this could have happened to her.

But he doesn't have much time to ponder that before Yugi appears beside him. He turns to glance at his partner, obviously worried about Lunafreya and the situation and about what they might do to fix it. ]

I stopped by to talk with her, and I found her like this. [ He's about to say more, to explain that she can't speak and is in obviously bad shape, but he breaks himself off once he realizes she's attempting to move.

When she drops to the floor, and he hears Yugi's surprised gasp, before he even knows what he's doing, he crosses over to her and drops to the floor next to her. ]

What- [ He's about to ask what happened, but he stops himself, because it doesn't matter. What matters is helping her with whatever's going on. ]

I think that she should lie down.

[ He carefully places an arm over her shoulder and his hand goes to her side, intending to support her if she does move, but even then, he's not sure if that's the right decision either. ]

[ She curls the shaking hand in towards her body, tilting her head enough so that her bangs might hide her eyes. Neither of the two souls need to see the pain and fear in her eyes. She has no idea what is happening, or why it is. She does not wish them to worry over her. They have come to her home to relax, to enjoy themselves. They do not need to spend that time fretting over her. ]

So, that's why why you wanted to take over. [ Yugi nods now that he understands more.

He stands beside the two, realizing there's not much he can do. He can't interact with anything while his other self in control. Not that he is about to ask to swap. They compromised that if Atem felt the need to take control, or if he wanted to speak to Lunafreya, then he should. There is no intention of going back on that. Instead, he'll stand by and offer his support in any way he can. ]

I'm not sure how we can try to call for Gentiana.

[ Lunafreya uses the other hand still on Atem's shoulder to give it a weak squeeze. He does not need to worry over her so. She can move herself to the bed so that he and Yugi might return to the rest of their night. A shaky exhale leaves her as she pushes down the emotional spike.

Her arm still shakes but her composure has returned. She turns her gaze back to Atem as if to restate what she has said silently. He does not need to stay. There has been many times where she has had to recover on her own. She would not have him feeling obligated to stay beside her simply because she had stayed beside him in the time Yugi was gone.

If she was forced to be honest? She has done her utmost to push down and contain her own emotions. He has no need for her to support or stand beside him now that Yugi has returned. She could not ask him to give up the time with his partner simply to hold her hand and reassure her that their bond remains the same. He hardly needs her now, why would he want her?

All of that, of course, remains inside and unspoken. ]

[ To even think that they could have been in their assigned room enjoying themselves, unaware of the struggle going on in Lunafreya's quarters, is a completely unwelcome thought in Atem's mind, if he knew that was what was going through Lunafreya's own mind. She might not wish for him to worry about her, but it's far too late for that now. ]

Well, I couldn't have known that she was in trouble, but- [ He shakes his head. Somehow, he just had a feeling, some sort of intuition, that maybe everything wasn't all that it seemed to be. Or perhaps that wasn't it at all; perhaps all he wanted to do was just check in on her and maybe stay for awhile. Either way, he's glad that he listened to his intuition and came, rather than staying away.

If Yugi asked to swap, regardless of the reason, of course he'd go along with it. Yugi never needs to have a reason for wanting to switch places. Of course, in this particular situation, it would be a little difficult for Atem to do that, but he would if Yugi wanted it. ]

I don't know either. Somehow, I just thought that the two of them could tell when the other was in trouble. [ Or maybe he misunderstood the bond between the two women. It must not work the way he assumed it would, or he supposes Gentiana would be here already.

When Lunafreya squeezes his shoulder, he immediately looks at her again. How could he not worry about her? He's never seen her in such bad condition, not even after everything Dartz threw at her. At least then she had full control of her voice, and she was still physically strong, if not tired from the fight.

There's nowhere else that I'd rather be. The thought springs unbidden to his mind, but it's completely true. And the reason why he stays has nothing to do with simple obligation. He stays because he cares about her, as does Yugi, and because there must be something he can do to help. ]

Come on, you should lie down. [ And while he doesn't intend to handle her roughly, he does try and point her in the direction of the bed. He'll even pull the sheets and blankets over her if he has to.

He can't know what thoughts are going through her mind, but if he knew that she was asking why he would want her, he would have a very clear answer to that question. It might be for the best that he remains unaware of her thoughts and her questions, because then the fragile grip he has on his composure would most certainly slip.

'Maybe if she lies down and even falls asleep, one of us can find Gentiana and bring her here.' He doesn't intend to hinge all his hopes on the dark-haired woman, but it seems to him that she'd have the best idea of what to do in this situation. ]

[ Yugi frowns just a bit. He has the feeling that his other self and Lunafreya's bond would allow the other to let them know when something was wrong. Maybe neither of them have come to that realization yet. It might be easier for him to see because he's the third party. ]

Your intuition was right, Other Me. It usually is... but...

[ He shakes his head. There's something wrong about all of this. He just can't put his finger on it.

The hand raises from his shoulder to rest on the side of his face. The resolve is strong in his eyes, and that has been a rare sight since their early days with Dartz. If the circumstances were different then she might argue. Instead, she merely relents to it and lowers her gaze.

They hardly need words to communicate now. Yet, she is still unsure of how he has no other place he wants to be. He has the support of his partner and a host of friends. She is merely an outsider to it all that offers support when one of those pillars crumbles temporarily. Placing herself further into their group of friends causes an imbalance that she does not wish to be the source of. Her life has been a majority of a lonely one -- what might she offer that would make him wish to stay when everything else is at his finger tips?

Lunafreya turns as he directs and attempts to stand once again. Her legs shake underneath her, refusing to listen to her demands. They give way, letting her fall but only a few steps later. She stretches her shaking hand out to catch herself to save Atem from holding all her weight. It clearly was the wrong decision as she grimaces, her arm pulsing in a dull ache.

Yugi reaches out to try and help her. His eyes narrow with worry as a frown settles on his face. 'I think if we're going to get Gentiana we need to do it now.'

Then, a bark.

Pryna pads over, seemingly from out of the darkness itself and makes her way over to the group. The white Shiba Inu gently noses her owner, shifting herself to be on the opposite side of Atem. The blue eyes move over to the Pharaoh. A huff. She'll aid him in getting Lunafreya to the bed.

Yugi turns his head to look at the door to the bedroom opening than closing. ]

I didn't realize Umbra and Pryna were even here...

But it doesn't matter, because I don't know what's wrong or how we're supposed to help.

[ That's why he's hoping Gentiana can intervene, because whatever is happening here seems to far beyond his sphere of knowledge, and the last thing he wants is to do something that might cause more damage than has already been done.

It doesn't seem strange to him that some measure of his resolve has returned now; he still has many questions and even more uncertainty about himself and his ability to move forward, both as Yugi's partner and as a duelist, but none of that matters. What matters is helping Lunafreya, however he can; if he even dares to attempt helping her, that is.

And while he is beyond relieved that Yugi has returned, and that their group of friends is slowly beginning to recover... They've suddenly dropped down a rung or two on the list of Atem's priorities. Oh, they're still important, of course, but do they trump being here for Lunafreya? No, not at all. They will always mean the world to him, but she means everything to him as well. He won't put this thought into words, but at least in his mind, she's already become the most important person in his life, standing alongside Yugi. So because of that, there really is nowhere else he wants or needs to be right now besides right here.

He watches with some nervousness as she tries to stand, doing his best to remain close by so that he can catch her when she falls. She seems to be in no shape to be doing this on her own, and yet she also seems to be trying to rebuff him from helping.

When Yugi reaches out to help, so does Atem, because even if Lunafreya doesn't wish to allow him to take on all her weight and support her, he already intends to do just that.

He's about to voice a statement of agreement with Yugi's conclusion, but the arrival of Pryna both interrupts and distracts him from what he was about to say. ]

I didn't either, but I'm not surprised. [ He glances over at Pryna then, as if asking her how she wants to see about moving her owner from where she's standing (barely) to the bed. At any other time, this might seem strange, but he's always known or suspected that Pryna and Umbra weren't just ordinary dogs. ]

[ Pryna meets Atem's gaze. Her tail wags gently as she ruffles the fur that she can with half of Lunafreya's weight on her. She takes a step forward, waiting for Atem to follow suit, then eventually helps Lunafreya to the side of the bed. The Oracle gently brushes Pryna's hair in thanks before easing herself onto the bed.

The hand that rests on Atem's shoulder remains there, finding that she does not want to let go. She frowns at herself then, an apologetic look taking her eyes as she looks at the Pharaoh. There is a part of her that is begging that she asks him to stay with her. The mask is in place to hide how she truly feels, but she is very much afraid. She has never encountered something like this. However, she cannot bring herself to follow through with what her heart requests. How can she ask anything of him?

Yugi looks between the two. Then, his eyes widen slightly. He looks away, hiding his own embarrassment. He wonders if his other self has even noticed that Lunafreya was in a nightgown. He had just noticed himself--then realized it is the first time he's even seen a girl undressed so much. ]

Was... Luna getting ready for bed?

[ Yes, Yugi. He'll never catch on to the awkwardness with that.

Lunafreya tilts her head down and lowers her gaze to the floor. She knows Yugi must be present. She certainly could not ask Atem for anything now. Yugi returned to them, and Lunafreya saw it her place her step back. That is why she had not reached out for him to help as she healed after the trials set by Dartz. How can she ask for him to support or comfort her when he has such a duty to Yugi and the others? No doubt he will have a reason that he is able to, but...

Her eyebrows turn up ever so slightly. She loves him - of course she still loves him. Her devotion nor emotions have changed. In her mind they are overbearing. If and when he needs her as either the girl or the Oracle, he or Yugi would let her know. If they do not, then, it is her place to simply wait until then. ]

[ When Pryna moves, so does Atem, careful to make sure that he remains near enough to balance her weight as well. Eventually, the three of them reach the bed, and he watches to make sure that Lunafreya can maneuver herself onto the bed.

He doesn't want her to let go either, but it's more important that she think about herself right now and get the rest that she desperately seems to need. Will sleeping reverse the loss of her voice? He doubts that it'll be as simple as that, of course. Maybe Gentiana can do something to fix what's happened. But even as he mulls over potential courses of action, he knows that he doesn't want to leave her side, not even to try and locate her dark-haired companion. She doesn't even have to ask him to stay; he's already made up his mind that he won't be going anywhere.

In a way, their roles have truly turned; she never left his side when he was lost in his own despair, and now, he has no intention of leaving her in the wake of whatever curse has fallen on her.

He briefly looks away from Lunafreya to glance at Yugi, suddenly realizing that his partner is wearing a look of surprise and what looks like embarrassment. And then he asks that question, and for just a moment, Atem looks at him with confusion. Why is that important? It takes another moment for him to realize that Yugi is looking away from Lunafreya now, as if the sight of her in her nightgown has made him feel awkward.

He isn't quite sure why, but he supposes Yugi has his reasons. ]

Yes, I believe that she was. [ The way she's dressed, and the way the bedcovers have been turned down all point to the fact that she was readying herself to go to sleep before the unexpected happened.

When Lunafreya looks down, he returns his gaze to look at her, noting her posture and how she almost seems to be withdrawing from this moment and from him. Without even the slightest hesitation, he reaches out and places his hand lightly against the side of her face.

He doesn't forcibly move her to look at him, just leaves his hand resting where he placed it, hoping to tell her without words that he's right here and that he's not going anywhere, as well as hoping to provide her with a little comfort.

He wants her to know that she can reach out to him at any time, can ask him for anything, and he'd do his best to give it to her. Truthfully, he's already begun to think that he needs her in his life, but not merely as the Oracle. No, the one he needs most is Lunafreya the girl, and even if it takes him another lifetime to help her see that, well- that's just what he intends to do. ]

[ Yugi does his best to clear his embarrassment. He may share the title of Duel King with the spirit, and he might have accomplished amazing feats. Still, he is only eighteen years old and a teenager. One who has little to no romantic experience. Lunafreya is a pretty woman, so the sight still makes him embarrassed. Not as much as it would if it were Anzu... ]

I don't remember seeing anything that would have caused this before we split up for the night. [ Yugi looks back at he two as he gathers his composure again. ] She seemed alright on the flight too...

[ Pryna slips her head under Atem's other hand and gently barks. Her tail wags as she attempts to offer some comfort to the older soul. She seems confident that things will sort themselves out. Her owner, on the other hand, seems less certain.

Lunafreya snaps from her doubts as she feels his hand on the side of her face. She leans into the touch with no hesitation, and her shaking hand reaches up to settle over his wrist. Her gaze meets his, and for a brief moment, she let's the fear in her eyes show. It is gone as quickly as it had come, but, she has no doubt he will see it.

She was fearful of Ra might do... but this is very different. With Ra, she could stare her fear down. This is fear of an unknown of herself. In truth, she wishes to curl into Atem's arms and hide away from the world. Yet, she can hardly bring herself to do it, let alone ask it of him.

Yugi's head raises as he feels a familiar cold trickle down the scar on his back. The light from outside still feels dim compared to what it should be, but it does seem to have become brighter by just a bit. The door opens and Umbra slips back in, but Yugi doesn't quite realize where Gentiana is until she brushes past him. His eyes meet her opened one's to see a warm smile on her face. Even if it does contradict the cold air the woman always has. ]

The Pharaoh and his vessel. An unexpected surprise to see in the Oracle's chambers.

[ Yugi feels his cheeks redden again as Gentiana's smile only widens at him. Why is everyone teasing him?! ]

[ Atem certainly has no intention of teasing Yugi for his embarrassment. He might not fully understand it, but there's no getting around the fact that he also has little to no romantic experience. Part of him still feels some embarrassment of his own that Lunafreya had to witness his own uncertainty about what to do in a- well, a more intimate encounter. Of course, now isn't the time or place to mention that, not when Yugi is already embarrassed and when Lunafreya is in such a bad state. ]

No, I didn't either. [ But now he's wondering if he should have been more vigilant, because there could have been signs that he missed.

He startles just a bit when Pryna slips her head beneath his hand, as if she was somehow responding to the spiral his thoughts were beginning to take. Could Lunafreya's current condition have been prevented if he'd just been paying more attention? He can't help but ask that, even if it's only to himself. But he pats Pryna on the head and gives her a little scratch, because her presence is providing him with at least a little bit of comfort.

As for Lunafreya, well, she doesn't have to make the first move or even ask him to do what it is she wants. Being mindful of Pryna's presence and Yugi's as well, he reaches out to pull her into his hold. He's about to carefully tighten his grip on her when he also feels that too-familiar sensation of cold trickling down his back, as if someone's icy finger just touched him there. Gentiana.

Well, they were wanting her to come, because out of all of them, she's probably the most likely person who would know what to do.

Atem straightens up as best as he can, what with Lunafreya in between his arms. ]

Gentiana- [ He tries to inject as much respect into his tone as he can. It's not really difficult, because even if he doesn't fully understand the mysterious dark-haired woman, he respects her just as much as he loves the woman she follows. ]

Is there anything that you can do for her? [ He knows there's a tease in what she said, but he's more focused on helping Lunafreya right now. Still, he casts a sort of commiserating glance in Yugi's direction, because he can also see the way the color is heightening in his partner's cheeks. ]

[ He needs to do nothing more to direct her. Lunafreya immediately curls into his hold, lowering her head to his chest to hide her face from all of them. Her arm still shakes and she bites her lip in an attempt to hide how much her own fear threatens to grasp onto her. All she knows is that such things are because of something magical, and she has no idea how to begin to fight it. She has no idea how to bring herself to ask her beloved for aid, or if she is even allowed such a small things. Her eyes close as she presses further into his hold. She does not even move as Gentiana joins them.

The opened gaze of the dark haired woman turns to the Pharaoh as he speaks. She seemingly glides towards the pair, her own fingers reaching out to brush the fur of the ever diligent white pet. Umbra joins them as well, taking his place besides the ghostly Yugi. It seems that now, all that need to be present most certainly are.

Gentiana raises a hand to rest on the back of Lunafreya's head. The young Oracle unfolds her shaking hand from Atem's hold to lift it towards the maternal figure. The hands of the two clasp, and for a brief moment, Gentiana's appearance shifts. Her long black hair greys and the typical black clothes she wears fades into a more blue appearance. Even her skin changes to that of something otherworldly. However, as quickly as the shift had come, it fades away to leave the appearance that the two men in the room are far more accustomed to.

Lunafreya's whole frame begins to shake then. Her guardian gently lowers her hands and pulls away so that the girl might pull back into the embrace she tries to shelter herself in. Then, the once goddess looks at all that stand in the room. ]

While concern is merited, the Pharaoh and his vessel need not fear as they do. Perhaps if this had happened in the field of battle with lives at stake... [ Gentiana shakes her head. ] The girl's body may have healed, however, her spirit has not recovered.

[ Yugi takes those last few steps to join them beside the bed. 'Her spirit?']

Edited 2021-07-21 06:32 (UTC)

[ Once she curls into him, he pulls in his arms just a little tighter, not enough to cause her discomfort, but enough to reassure her that he's right here and that he won't be letting go unless she asks him to. One hand immediately goes to stroke her hair, hoping the action will also provide her with some comfort. She doesn't have to tell him that she's afraid; he can almost feel it coming off her in waves, and even if he wasn't able to discern that, the way she's positioned herself is answer enough.

When Gentiana moves closer to them, Atem keeps one eye on Lunafreya as he holds her in his arms, but the other one rests on the other woman. Surely she'll be able to tell something about whatever it is that's afflicting Lunafreya.

He watches as she makes contact with the Oracle, and when Lunafreya unfolds herself from him just a little, he tries his best to not be a hindrance to whatever the two women need to do. His focus remains mostly on Lunafreya, but he'd have to be completely unobservant to miss the blink-and-you'll-miss it change that comes over Gentiana. He doesn't understand it or what it is that he saw, but it's gone just as quickly as he came. Yet another mystery of the woman called Gentiana, he supposes.

But when he feels rather than sees Lunafreya begin to shake, even before she presses herself back into his hold, he pulls in his arms around her yet again. And then Gentiana's brief explanation comes, but it doesn't answer his questions. In fact, it seems to raise more. ]

What do you mean, her spirit has not recovered? [ Of course, he can tell that something has struck her very hard, but Gentiana's words point to something far more concerning than just a physical ailment. ]

[ While it feels as if the days they spent together during the trails of the Orichalcos Leviathan were a lifetime ago? Her instinct of reactions to his fingers in her hair has not changed. While she may not find immediate calm, some of the tension of her shoulders lessons. She ever so slightly relaxes in his embrace. The hand not offered to Gentiana curls into the shirt he wears.

Gentiana seems to sense the confusion the two men in the room hold. The hand that held Lunafreya's returns to the back of her head. A unusual gentle look takes her features as she watches the way the girl tries anchor herself using the Pharaoh. ]

In the time of the Pharaoh, those who could wield magic would use their own spiritual energy to summon their otherworldly spirits. The Pharaoh's people referred to it as 'Ba', while they referred to my people as 'Ka.' [ She glances at Yugi to make sure the other in the room is listening. ] The Oracle uses her magical energy - her spiritual energy - to call upon my kind to fight as the Pharaoh's people did. She uses it to communicate with them, as she must summon even their spiritual form to this realm. She uses this to heal those who are in need as well. While the body many have recovered from her injuries? It would seem that her spirit has yet to fully recover. It has taken a toll on her body.

[ Yugi leans forward to grab a hold of Gentiana's dress. He knows better than to touch her arm... even if he doubts she'd use her magic against him now. ]

How can you tell?

[ The dark haired woman looks back and forth between the Pharaoh and vessel for but a moment. ]

Should she have been well to what she is... then I might stand before you as I truly am. However, the girl cannot sustain the magic needed to bring forth that power. [ She raises her hand to let her fingers glide through the air. A sheet of ice appears at her fingertips, to which she grasps. ] When a woman - or a girl - comes into the covenant to be the Oracle? She must learn to call forth those which she would speak to. As such, a pact is made between the Oracle and the Lady to the Oracle. So it has been for three thousand years by my own choice. If the girl cannot call forth even the Lady's true form, then, she is truly depleted of 'Ba.'

[ Yugi looks towards Atem. Part of him always hopes that something might sound familiar to his other self if it comes from Egypt and the time he reigned. ]

[ Even as he holds onto Lunafreya, Atem's attention is on Gentiana and her explanation about how magic and summoning worked in ancient Egypt. The concepts she speaks of are unfamiliar to him, and he can't even begin to picture what it must have looked like, seeing those with the ability to wield magic channeling 'Ba' to call forth the spirits. All he knows is that it must have looked incredibly different from the version played in these modern times.

And as Gentiana continues to describe her supposition about what's happened to Lunafreya, something like guilt washes over him again. Yes, he's aware that guilt won't help the situation, nor will it undo what's happened to her, but he can't help but feel that none of this would have happened if he hadn't been drawn in by Dartz's machinations.

Yugi would never have been taken, and Lunafreya would have never had to fight with Dartz. It all seems to stem from his own shortcomings, and now nearly everyone in his life is paying the price for his mistakes.

Atem doesn't withdraw or pull away, because Lunafreya is still resting in his arms, but the urge to do so is there. He meets Yugi's gaze, but he shakes his head. The terms Gentiana uses are as unfamiliar and unknown to him as his own name still is.

It seems as though there is still so much that he doesn't know, and he can't be sure when or how he'll ever regain that lost knowledge. He manages to pull himself out of those swirling doubts long enough to ask: ]

How can she regain her energy, then? Is rest enough, or is there something else that must be done?

[ Gentiana snaps her fingers and the ice shard shatters into small fragments. They catch what little remains of the light filtering into the room as they disappear. Then, her gaze turns back to the young Oracle in the ancient Pharaoh's arms. A gentle expression takes hold as her hand once again raises to rest at the back of Lunafreya's head. It is one a mother might give her I'll child. ]

The Oracle is still yet young enough where rest will help her recover. However, visiting those who came before her may help ground her.

[ Yugi takes the final steps to stand beside the three. He can sense the emotions beginning to build up in his other self. On top of it all, he frowns as his partner shakes his head. Still? Why is everything they try unable to help Atem with being able to remember something? Yugi looks down and decides now isn't the time to be frustrated about it. ]

How can Luna connect with the other Oracles? She couldn't see the Other Me until you showed us your memories.

[ The raven haired woman raises her hand to the outside. ] Some have been laid to rest here.

[ Lunafreya has disengaged from the conversation some time ago. Once Gentiana spoke of what was wrong, the young Oracle has not felt the desire to listen further. She knows what she would need to do, and at the moment, part of her cannot begin to fathom it. Returning to the Oracles who have come before her... asking for their aid... all it creates is a void inside her. One that speaks of failure and having not lived up to her station.

They, of course, would say otherwise. She has done her duty ten fold. The Great Leviathan God did not claim the world, the Egyptian Gods are in the hold of those who might wield them. The balance of worlds has been maintained. However, the feeling of having the battles drain her so to be in such a state creates and feeds that void. After all, what if she unable to recover? What if she cannot perform the duties of the Oracle then? If she can do nothing to help protect what is precious to her, and loses it all...

Her head turns away from them even as she remains curled up against the one she has called her king. The shaking lessens as fear truly grasps ahold of her. A sense of paralyzation that merely presses her against the void inside her. Even now, she would not have the three in the room see her in such a state. They cannot see how horrified the girl is, or the tears that have silently started to fall down her face.

She has given everything she is to her duty, her destiny. She is the Oracle. How can she help any of them, or be present in their lives, if she cannot be the Oracle? What use does she have to anyone then? Suddenly, she considers that perhaps her brother had been right those years ago. Maybe she was too young, naive, and foolish to take ahold of her calling when she had.

Lunafreya tilts her head down, hair hiding her face, and her body curling further. The tears are now a steady stream down her face, hidden from all of them. ]

[ The shattering ice catches Atem's attention, but only briefly, as he's mostly focused on the woman he's still holding onto, trying to offer as much comfort and support as he can. It's difficult when he's still reeling from his own emotional baggage, but at the moment, that pales in comparison to helping Lunafreya, even if he feels as though there isn't very much he can do.

And in all honesty, his continued inability to remember anything about his identity or his past isn't bothering him as much as the idea that he's letting everyone down, from Yugi and their friends to Gentiana and Lunafreya. Of course, he's certain that Gentiana is hardly counting on him for anything, but Lunafreya... He feels her shift in his arms, noticing how her head tilts further down and she curls in even further on herself.

A swell of emotion rises up in him then, as a feeling of helplessness and uselessness sweeps over him. What good is he in this moment? He can't help Lunafreya; apparently only the other Oracles can. He doubts that his presence or the way he's holding onto her is even doing her any good. He might not be able to see her tears, but he'd have to be completely ignorant to not realize that she's been completely shaken by recent events.

What good is he at all if he can't protect the ones he loves, or even comfort them in their despair? Strangely enough, his thoughts echo Lunafreya's, at least as far as wondering what might happen if he fails to protect his loved ones. He already feels that he came close to losing Lunafreya for good, and of course, he's still wrestling with the fact that he very nearly lost Yugi too. What's more, the two of them could still be lost, if they decide that enough is enough, and that being associated with him isn't worth the risk.

He's still resolved to stay with Lunafreya for as long as she needs him, until she either falls asleep or until she goes and connects with the Oracles of the past. But as he stays beside her, that mantle of doubt and uncertainty descends on him again and his shoulders begin to shake as he fights to push down the emotions that threaten to boil over.

Now isn't the time for him to lose himself in his emotions, not when Lunafreya is so clearly wrestling with hers. But he has one thing to say, and that's directed at Yugi.

'I'm sorry, Yugi.'

Why he's apologizing, he's not quite sure, but he wishes that his partner didn't have to witness this, not again. It seems as though the only truly strong ones in the room at the moment are Yugi and Gentiana. Atem's hold on Lunafreya tightens as he rides out the overwhelming wave that threatens to drag him down, because even in spite of that, he's determined not to let her go. ]

[ 'Other Me, you don't have to be sorry for anything. This is... a lot for all of us.' Yugi insists on this. Luna's the strongest out of them, and if she's struggling, then they have no reason to feel as if they have to be perfect right now. 'What matters is getting Luna better so we can go home together.'

She can sense the mounting frustrations and doubt within the king that holds her. Despite her own circumstances, Lunafreya would not see him pulled down into the depths that Dartz left him. Her hands uncurl from her in order to move around his frame. They lay and spread on the back only for her fingers to curl tightly into the shirt he wears. A gesture of offering comfort while still asking he not let her go. If he does? She might crumble down on the spot.

Please... do not go where I cannot follow.

Gentiana's gaze shifts to Atem. ]

The Pharaoh would do well not to doubt himself. The companionship he offers is one that the girl will yet still need... [ Then, her head turns to Yugi, ] ...and the friendship the vessel gives is equally as needed.

[ Yugi glances down at Umbra as he barks in agreement. Pryna nudges her snout into Atem's arm as well. He has his doubts if he's as needed as Atem, but, whatever doubt might be there has been clearly outvoted by the other two in the room. The younger soul looks down with a frown as he thinks the events over. ]

Then, what can we do to help Luna?

[ 'Don't I?' He can't help but feel that he should be stronger than this, more capable of shouldering this latest problem on top of all the others that they've had to see to lately. 'I know that's what we need to do, but I don't know how to do it.' That admission doesn't come easily to him, but there's no reason to hide things from Yugi, not when he can sense most of Atem's emotions anyway.

But then he shifts just slightly so that he can whisper into Lunafreya's ear words that are only meant for her: As long as you want me to be here, I won't be leaving you.

It's one of the few things he's certain of, even as those swirling clouds of darkness surround him and threaten to pull him down once more. The feel of Lunafreya's hands on him feels like he's being pulled back and away from their too-strong grip. How is it that she can still be strong in the middle of her own trial, even if she doesn't realize it? Not for the first time, he thinks that she truly is stronger than him. And maybe when he said that the only strong ones in this room were Yugi and Gentiana, that was not accurate.

He looks in Gentiana's direction when she says those words. ] I don't see how, or what I might even do to help. [ Companionship? He can give that, and he would, until he's either drained dry or until Lunafreya has recovered. But his companionship won't heal her from whatever it is that's happened.

Pryna's snout nudging into his arm causes him to turn and look at the loyal dog. Somehow, her presence brings him some calm, however small, and he holds onto that as tightly as he can. When Yugi asks the question that's also on his mind, he looks at Gentiana once more, awaiting her answer. ]

[ Yugi frowns slightly. 'I don't know either... but that isn't something you need to apologize for. Luna knows a lot about our world, but, we don't know anything about hers. Maybe it's time we changed that.'

Strong? No. This is far from being strong in her mind. Lunafreya feels weaker than she had as she clings to him and begs him not to leave. Not just leaving her alone physically, but leaving for that path that Dartz's machinations would have him sink into. His words make her fingers curl further into his shirt, nails pressing down slightly into the skin underneath. He will not be leaving which means she can remain curled against him as if he is the only thing solid she can hold onto. ]

Speaking with those that came before is merely a matter of spiritual guidance. The girl can chose to ignore the council or even fail to reach them. [ Gentiana's gaze drifts back to Atem. ] The girl struggles with much that weighs upon her soul. These keep her from truly recovering and achieving all the potential within her. These struggles are things that only the Pharaoh and his vessel may aid her with...

[ Gentiana's gaze softens then as she pulls her hand from Lunafreya's head. ] The Lady asks this of the two. For, if she was able to help the girl, then it would have been resolved.

[ Well, Yugi is correct about one thing. It is high time that the two of them learned more about Lunafreya's world and the forces alive in it. 'Yes. It's something that we should have done a long time ago.' But time hasn't always been on their side; it seems as though the moment has presented itself now, however.

And if Lunafreya still sees herself as weak, well, it's nothing compared to how Atem views himself. He's the weak one here, even though, as she thought once, he keeps getting knocked back down regardless of how many times he tries to pick himself back up. The storm in his mind is growing louder by the moment, attempting to drown out the voices of those close to him.

It's fitting in an ironic sort of way. Lunafreya's voice has temporarily been silenced, but the lingering effects of Dartz's actions now are working on silencing the others who help keep him grounded and in the moment.

In response to Lunafreya's tightening of her grip, he does the same with the hold he has on her. She won't be slipping away from him, not if he can help it. His mind might slip away from them both, but even then, he still doesn't plan on letting go.

He lets Gentiana's answer sweep over him and settle in; no, he still doesn't understand exactly what they need to do, but it all boils down to one thing: help Lunafreya. ]

Consider it done. [ Except, for the life of him, he can't tell what needs to be done first. ] Is there any more information that you can give us?

[ Yugi nods. They know pieces here and there - almost like a puzzle. She acts as a bridge between worlds at, apparently, some cost to herself. She heals people and guides them. Gentiana, her companion, is truly an ancient duel monster who might have been able to rival the Egyptian Gods, but now has a human form. Lunafreya can summon all sorts of duel monsters that he has never seen cards of before. Her ancestors did the same thing.

... but why? Is it really just as simple as another ancient kingdom felt it was better than the Shadow Games?

'Maybe I can ask Gentiana while you stay here with Luna?'

Gentiana looks to the young woman in the ancient Pharaoh's arms. There is much more information that can be shared. What is relevant or even needed for this moment is what remains to be seen. She takes a moment to find the answer as Pryna rests her head against Atem's leg and Umbra looks between all those present in the room. ]

While the Oracle will use her own Ba to speak, summon, and send my kind... any member of your kind has the capability of doing such. Pharaoh, [ Gentiana's cool gaze turns back to him then. ] The Orichalcos Great Levianthan would have come for the Oracle even if she had not known you or your vessel. She can stand in the way of any that might threaten either world. She would have remained a target to not sacrifice to their God, but to eliminate. Do not put needless responsibility for her station on yourself.

[ Yugi looks between Gentiana and Atem then. A horrified expression comes over his face, mixed in with anger. ]

They went after Luna?! But, she doesn't duel--

[ Gentiana raises a finger to interrupt Yugi, but does not press it to his person. ] The Oracle might summon us to do battle as they did in the ancient days. It was this way she fought and won. The Oracle is someone of great value to both our kinds, but do not forget, she is not frail or unable to fight. She might summon the most mighty of my kind. For that reason alone, she will be a target of those who wish to throw the world into chaos. The girl knew this when she accepted her destiny.

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continuing the pre-holiday h/c ;~;

these two are such a mess D:

they'll get better--- I HOPE? :'(

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