knifemonopoly | IC inbox

[When he's pulled to the ground, Ryou's immediate reaction is to try and bring his hands forward, to catch himself better, but instead his wrists dig into his shackles painfully, the only evidence of the movement a metallic clatter. He can't help the pained cry as his knees make painful contact with the floor. This time the color at the tip of his tail is very discernable--A flash of bright yellow, like lightning.

(how many monsters have you hurt?)

Ryou looks up, trying to look impassive...and then he's slapped. His head snaps to the side, eyes wide, cheek burning. It probably wasn't even that hard...maybe it was though. All he knows is that the eye above the sting is watering.

No. no, he can't.

(how many monsters have cried because of what you did. cry cry cry it's what you deserve better start now)

It takes him a moment, before he turns his face back, stares at Atem with one eye slightly squinted.]

Yes...sir.

[Ah, so that's the limit, for now.

This poor gentle boy, Atem thinks. He can take pain, but he hates it...

Atem absolutely can't let AM get his hands on Ryou.

None of this shows on his face as he stands, feet planted in front of Ryou, holding every bit of power in this situation until the moment Ryou says enough.]

That's better.

[No second strike comes.]

Now...about those names. Who did you conspire with?

[So they're back to this then?

Ryou shakes his head. He's not answering that. Even if it means he'll be struck again, he's not answering, because he's not interested in blowing the whistle to save his own skin. Those are his friends. Even if it hurts...he won't talk about Mukuro, or Maya, or the Ring-Spirit, certainly not about Atem. None of them.

He's lost in the scenario, and he feels better for it. Not satisfied, that need to set things right is never satisfied. But it's changing, reconfiguring.]

We're only talking about me.

[--slap!!

There's warning it's coming, a wind-up, it's not at Atem's full speed or strength, not by far. But it's at the same power as before, and to the same place...it'll sting.]

Hah! I warned you about that pride! It's going to get you hurt, prisoner.

[He leans in, grabs hold of the shirt-front again. His face is inches from Ryou's, and his voice is a growl, low and full of menace.]

You won't remember your own name when I'm through with you, unless you give them up.

Names. The conspirators! The insurgents! Tell me!

Nngh!

[It does sting, hurt on hurt, and without warning, spikes extend from his body like so many front-side switchblades being triggered. It's involuntary, a defensive mechanism, and Atem's not even close enough to be hurt by them. Not even the hornlike protrusions on his head.

But it's enough to show that Ryou's affected by what he's doing.

One eye's closed completely now, the other looking Atem dead on as he responds. They're so close...but Ryou doesn't feel safe like this. He shouldn't. Of course not.

Especially not with how threatening that voice is.]

The only name I remember is mine, warden. I'm s-sorry...I can't help you.

[That's such a good tier-2 power to have, Ryou is so smart, to protect himself this way...]

Tch.

[Atem lets him go, releasing his hold on the shirt, and stepping back.

He steps around, striding outside of Ryou's field of vision.

There's a rattling of chains.

If Ryou turns to look, he'll see Atem retrieving an apparatus from where it's hooked in place on the wall. There are chains that run all the way up to the ceiling, through metal loops there, and back down. Atem brings these two chains around, and deftly hooks Ryou's manacles to them, one at a time.

For a moment, it'll be a relief: his arms aren't tied together behind his back anymore. They hang loose at his sides.

But then, Atem gives the chains a yank, and with a frightening rattle, all the slack goes out of them. Ryou's hands are pulled out and up, above his head. It's not quite enough to bring him to his feet, but if Ryou continues to kneel, it'll be uncomfortable.

Atem gathers both chains in his left hand, and approaches Ryou from the front again.]

Let's try that again. Who were you working with?

[When he's let go, Ryou slumps to the ground, trying not to whimper. His face hurts, his head hurts, but he can't let this be what undoes him. Not this quickly. No, he has to take more, to make it even, and to protect everyone.

He feels Atem doing something, but he's too lost in his mind to look. So it's surprising to him whenever his arms fall to his sides. He didn't realize until they were freed how much painful tension was on his shoulders, how the metal was digging into his wrists terribly. Now, free to move them, he can't help but try and raise one hand to his face.

It never makes it there, not before the chains clatter and pull, and he cries out again, as his hands are pulled above his head. He tries to get a foot under him, to ease the pressure, and manages. He's standing by the time Atem retakes his position, and it feels very much like Ryou's still under him, despite being taller.

His heartbeat starts to race, because he knows all it'll take is a sharp tug on those chains and he'll be on his toes, or worse. But it doesn't change the answer.]

I don't want to discuss that.

[A third slap, for Ryou's tone, per the rules. It's quick, sharp.]

Wrong answer.

[Atem keeps hold of the chains, but brings both his hands up. Fingers hook into the collar of Ryou's shirt -- and then pull roughly apart with a rrrrip. The fabric tears like paper -- first down one sleeve, then the other, and the ruined fabric falls to Ryou's feet in a pathetic heap. Ryou's naked to the waist -- it's cold in here, and he'll feel it, even as his skin burns from painful contact.

He leaves Ryou to shiver for a long moment as he steps over to the closest wall, which has a row of implements -- a whip, thumbscrews, some very sinister-looking pliers, and anything else Ryou's imagination fills in here -- and pulls a crop off of its hook.

(Short, easy to control, less brutal than a whip, is his logic. A full whip would cut skin, open wounds. That's more cruel than Atem wants to get, here. Especially right away. And with the spikes, Atem can't use his claws on Ryou's back...he's protected from bare hands, there.)

Crossing back to Ryou, his footsteps slow and steady on the slate floor, Atem uses the whip to tilt Ryou's chin up to look at him.]

Let's get the terms of your sentence straight.

Each time you fail to answer me, or show me disrespect, the number of hits you get goes up! Think of it as an incentive to cooperate quickly.

[There's a little slap to Ryou's uninjured cheek that's not painful, just humiliating. There's something playful to it, a reminder to be a good boy.

Atem takes a half-step back, chains in one hand, crop in the other. He holds it out at arm's length, pointing it at Ryou's throat. His question is authoritative, and his voice resonates in the stone-walled cell.]

Who were the other conspirators?

[Sent between her posts:]

Reira Reira Are you okay Is it just the network, or something else? I know it's loud You're alive, right...?

Really, Reira, you had me worried! Did you disconnect from the network? I would have, if I had all of that in my head...

oh no you panicked :[

It's okay it just got REALLY really loud and hurt my head!

Ummmm I sent another message earlier so

It's okay I'm better now :0

Also I can't do that :/

I have to get Ray to energy drain me so I can sleep through it instead...but I didn't really want to move for a while so I just sat in my room until someone got her...

I guess I can ask if there's a way to turn it off next time but :T

How did you expect anyone not to, with a message like that...? But I know you have people around you who can look after you, and you didn't use the symbol, so I didn't do anything...

wait you replied here hang on

It's very hard to not send stuff when everything's happening like that D:

But it wasn't dangerous you're right. :0

oh no was i supposed to keep answering here instead still

I'm pausing this one

Okay! Now, we can talk. I'm glad you're all right. It might be worth looking into a way to "unplug" yourself...the network's been really busy lately.

[Atem you have addressed NOTHING she came to talk to you about.]

Yeah.......... :[

um but are you a little more okay now that's still important

And also Mukuro is important too but it's too late for that I guess so, you!!!

I'm making a play spot.

[Ryou's not numb to the slap, but it's starting to become...expected. The shade part of him revels in it, in this punishment that he's so clearly earned, but Ryou can feel his eyes burning, his vision blurring slightly with tears. But...he's not giving in. He's not saying stop.

He doesn't deserve it yet. And more than that...if this is his limit, then what does it say about who he is as an adversary? When he starts learning hand to hand combat with Reverie, what then? Will he tap out the instant things get a little too rough?

His endurance is being built. Everything he suffers here will make him more resilient.

(think whatever you like. yes. as long as you pay what's due)

By the time Atem tilts his head up, Ryou's tears haven't dried...but he's resolved. He listens to the rules, internalizes what Atem's telling him, is appropriately bothered by the tap to his cheek with the crop...and despite being visibly anxious about the entire situation, he presses his luck because there is no other course to take.]

It doesn't matter how many times you ask. I don't have an answer for you. Sorry to waste your time.

[He doesn't sound sorry enough though, does he? Maybe he is too proud.]

[The crop comes across Ryou's jaw this time, harder, stinging. It won't injure, just smart.]

Round one is a penalty, then.

[The chains rattle above Ryou as Atem crosses to behind him: he doesn't want Ryou to see Atem raising a whip to hit him, doesn't want that image in Ryou's brain.

No.

This will be from behind: six overhand blows, sharp and painful, land one after the other on Ryou's shoulders, alternating from one side to the next. When they end, Atem allows Ryou a moment or two, to catch his breath.

Then, he asks his next question, staying behind Ryou's back.]

Whose idea was it, to put what happened on television?

[The crop hurts against his jaw, stinging against an already bruised cheek and making his jaw sting. Ryou can't help but whine, but he swallows it back, gritting his teeth hard.

The chains clink as his arms tense, hands tightly balled. A penalty...wait.

Where's Atem going? Why is he going behind, what does he plan to do?!

The first strike takes him by surprise, making him arch forward because his shoulders were already pulled taut, his arms aching from the position they've been forced into. Tensing only makes it worse, of course, but Ryou can't help it. It takes his breath away, and causes his tail to writhe and flash in a bright new color--a red-tinged violet--each time he's hit.

He doesn't answer...not immediately. It hurts...he can feel the hot, stinging tears rolling down his cheeks, little representations of his weakness that hurt almost as much as what Atem had done.]

I...I won't...

[This isn't enough. It's not enough...

He has to be strong. Focus on something else. Focus...whose idea was it to put it on television? Who is he saving? Who won't he betray?

It's cold. he hurts.

No. Think.

Maya...she wanted to record it. It was her idea...right?]

I don't know, sir...I don't...

[Ryou is crying, and crying out -- it hurts to see, and to hear. Atem's not enjoying doing this to him.

But he's resolved. It would be worse, if Atem didn't do this, if he didn't commit. There's no enough yet, not from Ryou. Just a wrong answer -- and a respectful tone. So, he'll only add two more strikes on.

His voice betrays none of the mercy in his heart. It curls through the air around Ryou's ears like smoke.]

Round two: penalty.

[Eight strikes, in the same alternating pattern. One-two, three-four, five-six, seven-eight. There's less recovery time allowed, now, before the next demand comes:]

Who disarmed the traps, and told the humans that their feelings of security would always be false?

[Ryou's tail doesn't flash again. It sustains its coloration, all the way up, and his shadow aura flares. It hurts, he wants to escape, he wants to phase, but he can't. He can't escape the hold of those manacles around his wrists, and his attempts don't save him from the blows.

So he writhes, but ultimately takes the punishment. There's no time to rest, no time to think, before another demand is made.

The Ring-Spirit. His spirit. His...his partner. They don't see eye to eye always, but...Ryou won't betray him. Never.]

H...humans will never have security. The statement isn't a lie, sir. You know this...don't you?

[Ryou's smart enough to say "sir", to try and save his hide. Literally. The spines only cover and protect so much of his bare skin...and he knows more is coming. He can't stop it like this. He just has to endure it.

(take their pain)

He can handle it.

(can you?)

He can.]

Penalty! Cheeky brat!

[The intensity's increasing: Atem's voice is louder, angrier. The strikes don't increase in ferocity, though -- they're still tightly controlled, measured.

Ten lashes, now. No recovery time. The crop whips through the air, whistling like an arrow.]

Round four! Who was the butcher who put on a gory display, worse than the new monsters had seen yet, calling the humans cattle and increasing her own standing with the Fog? Cooperate!

[Endure. Ryou can do it. He can. He can defeat the shame and pain in his own heart, and he can hold his head up high, as someone who wouldn't betray his friends, if he lasts the next two rounds...

It has to be close enough to torture to trick Ryou's brain into accepting it as a substitute for La Forteresse. He's got to be pushed, until it's enough for Ryou.]

Edited 2022-04-03 03:47 (UTC)

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<Player1>

<Player1> and, after the second one

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<Player1>

< NEAPOLITEEN.VANILLA >

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WELCOME TO YOUR PRIVATE CHANNEL, PLAYER1. FOR SECURE COMMUNICATION, USE 10.11.0.0.01 * PLAYER1 has joined 10.11.0.0.01 <PLAYER1>** If you're looking for someone you knew as Yugi before June, you've found him! It's Atem, leave a message.