knifemonopoly | IC inbox

[The mid-month event is over, and Ryou can't say that he'll miss seeing the end of it, even if he did like being able to handle himself, and help people he cared about. There was just an awful lot of physicality that, even as a werewolf, he needed a break from.

So, he'd arranged for a nice night out at a monster-friendly eatery. It had taken a little doing, because Ryou and Atem were fairly unpopular in Bavan to anyone who could suss out who they actually were despite their alternate forms. Ryou's hair was somewhat distinctive, even in night form...but Atem, at least, might pass for someone else without his own hairstyle.

Eventually, he managed to snag a reservation at a nice, casual dining restaurant near the outskirts of Bavan. He'd arrived first, intending to make sure everything was perfect and special for the one he loved, and having his requests fulfilled to the letter.

Private seating on the terrace, away from wandering eyes and judgmental faces. They'd be fine, and there was a perfectly large table where they could have dinner comfortably. Naturally, Ryou paid extra for that, but he didn't mind at all. He wants it to be right.

...Unfortunately, there's a rather chatty waitress who seems to be quite unafraid of werewolves. Maybe it's because he's so fluffy and enticing to pet, despite being dressed in his somewhat uncomfortable suit from the gala

(because big hulking werewolves don't have many clothing options on short notice)

that struggles to contain his fur and built frame at all.

Ryou is polite to a fault, as is the usual when he's not being indignant on the network or sassy around friends who damn well deserve it, holding a civil conversation with the woman. However, she's starting to ask personal questions, such as why he's here, what it's like to be a werewolf, things like that. And Ryou's been around clingy types enough to know where this may be going. So he clears his throat, and requests a glass of water to try and distract her.

It works for now, though she appears reluctant to go...and she "accidentally" bumps shoulders with him...which apparently she doesn't realize the connotation to his wolf brain.

He's just gonna sit here, elbow propped, hand on his forehead, leaning into it. It's fine. He's fine. This is gonna be a good night, just as soon as Atem arrives!]

[Atem, conversely, has plenty of clothing options, being a very average five-foot-six in night form and built wiry instead of broad. He's leaned away from Yugi's sense of style and into a very comfortable linen summer -- really just a long belted robe with no sleeves and jewelry in every metal but silver or copper, including familiar pieces from last month. He rolls up to the place Ryou picked out with his ears up and wary, his tail straight: if this goes badly, he'll need to be ready to make a quick getaway. But it all seems to be quiet as he paces through the restaurant on padded feet. No one knows him well enough to recognize him without his hair...

All's well until he spots the waitress's departure, and her bump at Ryou's shoulder.

Atem's head swivels to follow her as she leaves, a growl too quiet to detect yet rising in his chest. Who's that? he thinks, head leaning forward. Does she know...? She must not know...

It's fine. Atem's not going to make a scene over bumping shoulders with his boyfriend in relative innocence. It's a minor horny crime, and not horny jailable.

...but, when he approaches, he does bump his snout against Ryou's before he sits down, running his chin over Ryou's forehead.]

.....

You're early.

[He has chosen, it seems, not to comment.]

Edited 2022-06-29 16:54 (UTC)

[Minor or not, Ryou really didn't like it. He already feels uncomfortable around girls who may or may not be objectifying him. Hence his generally unhappy posture, and his slightly lowered ears. However, as soon as he gets a whiff of Atem, his head comes back up, and he smiles at first...but the smile falters as he watches Atem's gaze fixating to the waitress.

Oh...he didn't see that, did he?

(he did)

There's no certifiable way to know, honestly.

(he did)

Still, being greeted with such familiarity and perhaps a little bit of marking behavior does assuage his anxieties about that a little. His tail wags, mostly dampened by being pinned to the chair but still twitching at his side with some level of excitement.]

Hmm, well! I wanted to make sure everything was in order. Seating in the general population might draw too much attention, since I'm so large. I want us to have a good time. I hope that's alright, you're certainly not late or anything. As you said--I'm early.

[He totally did.

Maybe that's why he reaches across the table to take Ryou's clawed hand in his, and hold it, on top of the table. If Atem's lucky, that was just the hostess, who shows people to their seats...but still. His tail swishes slowly back and forth, threaded neatly in a gap between the chair's back and seat.]

That's very kind of you...! Outings like this aren't as easy as before...so, I appreciate the effort you've made!

[His Fog cloak is wrapped around his neck like a shawl, or a thick scarf. Its edges still disappear in breeze that can barely be felt, fraying in wisps of fog, but the silhouette is harder to recognize from far away, the effect more subtle.]

[The extra contact prompts another awkward tail wag, and a smile. Ryou likes going on dates with Atem, and he's fairly certain that at this point, things can't be muddled. Surely the waitress will see that Ryou is taken, and the two werewolves can continue their date in peace!

...Which is a nice sentiment.

Except that when the girl returns with a glass of water and a couple of menus, she's a little surprised to see Atem there. Sure, she knew that this big white werewolf said he was meeting someone, and that he'd gone to some ends to make sure they were alone out here, but that doesn't mean she can't be "nice", right?

So, she approaches, and Ryou glances at her with a smile and a flick of his ear as she sets his water down. Well, he was thirsty, as he said. So he reaches for it and takes a sip while the young woman turns her attention to Atem.]

Good evening, sir. I hope you're doing well this evening! What can I start you with to drink?

[Perfectly nice. Ryou's relieved...]

If you would prefer not to share a menu with your friend, I can bring another!

[...Friend? Oh...she might have the wrong idea. But Ryou's hesitant to correct her, not because he doesn't think she should be corrected, but it is pretty embarrassing to convey oneself in the wrong way, enough that a worker can't tell who you're dating. At the date. With the date right across from you.

He swallows his mouthful of water perhaps a little too loudly, then slides the menu over to Atem with his untaken hand.]

U-um. Here...y-you can use mine.

[Ryou swallows the mouthful of food, but his lips are pursed in a pout all the same, even as he speaks.]

N-no, it's...it's not that I think you'll tell people, I just didn't realize you were watching me...sleep. I guess. I mean, it's okay that you do, and I don't mind you thinking I look nice.

[He reaches up and scratches behind one of his ears.]

I guess I'm just tired...

[Way too sleepy to take a compliment. Or convey himself any better. Poor guy.]

Sorry, it's probably confusing. But I'm glad you like the food enough to keep eating it through all of...this.

[He gestures to himself. Yeah...yeah, that's about right.]

[.....??

Friend?

Atem has to blink for a moment. He doesn't understand. It's true that Ryou is his friend, and Ryou is clearly tense and upset about the word being used...

It takes Atem a second to put the pieces together, that she thinks Ryou is still single.

Even though they're holding hands. On the table. Brightly, with a hint of teeth flashing in his muzzle:]

Boyfriend, actually!

[He casts a glance at the menu, scanning it, then says:]

A glass of honey wine, for me -- [a glance at Ryou] -- two?

[No need to be unkind, if it was an honest mistake!]

Y...yes! Yes, that's fine.

[Ryou glances at Atem, nervously. Is he mad? He should be, Ryou could have told the girl by now that he was on a date, with his boyfriend, but she'd been overly friendly with him, in a way that generally made Ryou seize in place and hold his hands in front of him, smiling awkwardly.

Yeah...that's about what he'd been doing when she had been talking to him.

No, not talking. Flirting. He let her flirt with him...]

I'm sorry, Miss. I didn't mean to misrepresent the situation...

[The waitress smiles, and Ryou can tell it's forced, just a bit.]

It's alright, sir! I shouldn't have assumed that because you were both werewolves, this was just a simple social gathering. My mistake! I'll go get your drinks!

[Nervous as he is, Ryou can't quite detect if she's being insincere. Atem can probably tell though, that she seems a little irritated that she can't continue flirting with the adorable white werewolf with the too-soft fur that she really, really wanted to touch.

Though maybe not in so much detail, of course. But she does walk off pretty quickly.]

[It's fine, Atem thinks. The misunderstanding's been cleared up. He's probably embarrassed her, which is regrettable, but he wasn't impolite, and there's no reason to make anything else out of this.

She's interested, though, he notes. Very interested. It brings something to the surface that isn't usually there, that he'd only felt before at the gala -- a hot, feverish sort of protectiveness, an ache in the chest and the jaw.

His hand slides up Ryou's palm, his fingers slipping over and around Ryou's wrist.

Nothing about this is platonic.

But rather than accuse Ryou of misrepresenting the situation, Atem says:]

You're nervous.

[The hand at Ryou's wrist is just resting there, not gripping it or pulling it. He can feel the pulse, even through the fur.]

Are you all right...?

[Ryou is momentarily distracted by looking after the girl, his ears pricked as if he's trying to listen for anything she might say...but the fingers moving along his hand, gripping his wrist...that pulls him back around, to look at Atem with a conflicted expression. He feels bad about this.

He hopes it doesn't ruin their night.]

I'll be okay. I just hope I've not made things worse.

[He gazes down at Atem's fingers, curled around his wrist, and he tries to will his nerves away. Still, his pulse is a bit quicker than normal, and his ears are still not entirely relaxed. One is rotated back, listening.]

I should have told her it was a date, shouldn't I have? But before you got here, she was being very familiar, and I...I just let her. I'm sorry.

[He shakes his head, dismissing the concerns. It's alright. He's hear now. The misunderstanding's been cleared up...it's clear her attention isn't welcome.

(He doesn't realize what it might look like from a distance: Ryou uncomfortable as Atem holds him by the wrist, shaking his head while Ryou's ears swivel, clearly in charge and clearly dismissing concerns.)

He brings Ryou's clawed hand up to his mouth, and presses the tip of his nose to Ryou's knuckles.]

Don't worry. It's all right now! It's clear you're spoken for, by me...so, it shouldn't be a problem, anymore.

[The smallest of licks, to the backs of Ryou's fingers.]

[Unfortunately, despite the way his ear is angled back, since they're on a terrace that separates them from the inside of the restaurant, Ryou can't really hear what's going on. Worse still...he has a habit of looking pretty stressed while he's contrite, so anyone looking

(she is definitely looking)

might not think it so outlandish that the big white wolf is being bullied by the small black-and-gold jackal who he has allegedly invited out for dinner.

But Ryou doesn't think about the optics, especially not when his hand is drawn up, and Atem's tongue passes lightly across his fingers. It's small, but comforting, and Ryou smiles softly, his ears relaxing, even lowering a bit as he shyly looks away.

The waitress returns when Ryou quietly, meaningfully says:]

You're right. You're always right, I'm being silly.

[...None of this helps, and the waitress only seems more suspicious of Atem, frowning at him in earnest without realizing immediately that she's doing so. But after a few seconds, she recomposes herself and sets the drinks down.]

Are the both of you ready to order?

[Something about her tone seems a bit more clipped than before. Ryou's smile fades back a little.]

Ah...sorry, we haven't had a moment to look at the menu. Could we have a few more minutes, please?

[The waitress is all smiles for Ryou, nodding brightly. So, she still favors him, it seems.]

Of course! I'll be right back, don't worry, I won't be far!

[Ryou thinks that's a weird thing to say, but he nods and smiles (a tad awkwardly) at her words.]

C-certainly! Thank you.

[Once she's gone again, Ryou turns his attention back to Atem.]

Um, I've heard this place has good dining options. Please don't hold back, have whatever you like, and as much as you want.

[It's okay, Ryou still has decent money in the bank. He can spend plenty! And he'd rather think about that than the strange behavior of the young woman attending him.

He reaches for his drink, sliding it closer and giving it a sniff. He's never had something like this before. But he can already tell it's something he'll like. Atem knows him too well.]

[Maybe it's not over, Atem thinks, as he takes in the way the waitress conducts herself.

But, it doesn't seem to be anti-monster sentiment, given how sweet on Ryou she seems to be...so, they probably don't have to worry about their food being sabotaged, or worse. It'll be okay, as long as Atem's here.

Distractedly:]

Ah, thank you...

[He takes the menu and looks it over.

His eyes find steak.

He tries to look at the rest of the page--

steak.

There's plenty else, like fish and pasta and--

steak. he can smell it in the kitchen. steak steak steak that's what he wants. rare? yes. blue? blue steak? y e s.

He has to swallow back watering in his mouth.]

I hope that doesn't mean she'll be watching us the whole time.

[He's going to take a second to press his nose to the inside of Ryou's wrist -- sending a message -- before he lets go and passes the menu back to Ryou, indicating that he's decided and freeing up Ryou's hand.

The wine won't pair well with steak, he decides -- it's mead, too sweet a white, but he'll get them a red when she comes back.]

[In the time it take Atem to decide what he'd like to eat, Ryou picks up the glass with his free hand and takes a long sip. Sorry, but he's far too tempted to leave it alone, and as he expects, it's a good taste for him. Even as a werewolf, he can't curb his habits when it comes to sweet things, it seems.

He's licking his lips in thorough enjoyment when Atem touches nose to wrist. Ryou's response doesn't come immediately, though. He instead takes the menu, and gives it a once over.]

I don't want to hurt her feelings...but I also hope the same. I came here because I thought it would be private. I'm here to spend time with you.

[Atem might catch it at his peripheral, just past the edge of the table, but Ryou's tail tip is wagging in short bursts. It's not a happy wag, and his ears are staying down.

He's not angry, or highly upset. But he is a little anxious. Wanting to be out like this, for him, is hard enough without someone making it stressful.]

I...I also didn't think anyone would be that interested in what I look like right now, but she did say my fur looked soft.

[UNFORTUNATELY, ATEM HAS AN ANSWER FOR THIS, THANKS TO CERTAIN PEOPLE ON THE NETWORK.]

I understand they're called furries. They exist even outside of Ryslig...even like this, you're definitely someone's type!

[Teasing lightly, as he rests his chin at an angle on his be-bangled wrist:]

Besides, the cut of that suit...it's not a secret you're built well underneath it.

[The topic of "furries" was definitely not on the docket for Ryou today, and maybe that would have been enough. But then...Atem points out something that is both very true and kind of embarrassing which makes Ryou's gaze avert. It's not a bad reaction, of course, not like how he's been reacting to the waitress.

He's just flustered.]

Ah, well...I wore it to the gala, so I thought it might be good for an outing, but you're right. It's kind of...restrictive.

[Ryou likes things a bit baggier but he also hasn't gone to the mall in a very long time.]

Maybe I should shop for something that fits a little better.

[It's similar with Mukuro, this message, but there are key differences. She reached out to Atem right away, because he told her in so many ways before it happened that he was hurting. He'd been saying it, but she hadn't dwelled on it deeply.

But he said it in so many ways, right? He didn't feel safe. He couldn't protect the people who mattered in the way he wanted.

So he did what he felt was necessary, but in so doing he drew a rift between himself and monsters who did not agree. He betrayed principles she thought he believed in too firmly to ever let go of. But she didn't want to shut him out. More than anything, this world is isolating, and she knows from experience it can be made worse by a monster's own hand in many, many situations.

She hasn't heard from him, but she begged him to reach out if he ever fell that low again. Not that there's any guarantee he will. Regardless, she can't bear the silence any longer, not on his end or hers. She has to be the one to extend a hand, and lead. She's got to prove she believes in her own principles just as deeply.]

Hey, Atem.

I know it's been awhile, but I think I'm ready to talk to you.

Do you have a preference for where? I won't delve any further into my thoughts if you'd rather speak in person.

I'm content with what you choose either way. If you'd prefer not to talk, I won't begrudge you that either. Admittedly I don't know how you've been, so if my timing is poor, I get it.

[A message from Trish...?

It has been a while.

She had asked him to reach out, if he felt that low again...unfortunately, the only time he had, he'd been too compromised to get a message out. He'd been blinded, burned, alone -- that would have been when, if he'd been able to call for help, he would have. But Elias had made sure of it, that Atem would be lost and alone...

...and, Atem's friends had come for him anyway. They had been kind, when they had no reason to be; he had been out of control, in April's event, and hurt some other monsters, but they hadn't come to hurt him in return. They'd cleaned his wounds, and brought him home, and he hadn't been alone.

Not alone.

But, Trish...three months later, after his breaking point, after he'd shown everyone what he was willing to do to protect himself and the people close to him, she wants to talk. He's not sure what to think, not certain how this will go...after all, she's close with Giorno, who has made it clear Atem isn't welcome in his circles, and circles they used to share are a question Atem's still working out the answer to.

What is it she wants to say...?

He does want to speak in person, though. Whatever it is...it's harder to misunderstand, when you have someone's face and voice in front of you.]

No, the timing isn't bad... I'd like to speak in person, but it can be wherever you like...anywhere you feel most comfortable having the conversation.

I can't speak for anyone else, but that suit has me thinking about what you look like out of it...

[...and then he gives a casual shrug! As though he didn't just insinuate something incredibly 18+!]

...which isn't ideal for formalwear! We should take you to get something properly fitted.

[Continued from here!]

Nothing of that name existed in my world.

[ She can say this with confidence, as a person with her finger on the pulse of all major arcane knowledge. Even if these "Millennium Items" predated her, it's simply unthinkable that the Bavarian Illuminati wouldn't have learned of them. They are alchemists who pursue perfection, completion!

~~Meanwhile, elsewhere in her world, a different alchemist makes a homunculus who refers to her maker as "mou hitori no boku". Then they kiss and body share. Puzzleshipping is Symphocanon.~~ ]

[Ryou sucks in a sudden breath, looking anywhere but Atem for the moment. The clawed fingers of one hand drum awkwardly on the table. Tap-tap-tap-tap--and then he reaches for the glass of mead and drinks it down. Hell, Atem's lucky he doesn't steal the other glass and drink that too.]

H-honestly...

[Does he sound exasperated? He's a little exasperated. Atem can't just say that before they've even had dinner, it's unfair!]

U-um. Yes, I wouldn't...mind getting something that fits better. Just in case.

[Like the disaster that he is, Ryou looks immensely awkward when the waitress returns, furthering her suspicions that something's not right. This time, she doesn't tiptoe.]

Sir, are you alright? You seem as if you have something on your mind.

[Unfortunately now is not a good time for Ryou, who has just been flirted with and is practically squirming. He glances over at Atem, pleading with his eyes.

Help. You did this.]

[Unhelpfully, Atem laughs!]

Heh heh heh!

We were talking about tailoring, that's all.

[To Ryou, unable to suppress the grin:]

Do you know what you want?

Y-yes. Tailoring.

[Ryou shifts in his seat, now incredibly aware that not only does Atem think he looks like a snack, but the waitress probably did as well, and it went completely over his head to think about what he looks like in public. He sighs, and puts his head in his hands for a moment.]

Sorry. Yes, I'd like the largest steak available on the menu. Rare, with whatever sides are suggested.

[He's not looking at her, he's way too embarrassed. And he's not looking at Atem either, at least not for a moment. Not until the waitress goes.

...And the waitress is starting to feel like she actually is intruding at this point. But...she still puts a hand on his shoulder, as if to be comforting. It's quick and simple (definitely dubiously professional), before she turns to Atem.]

And you, sir? What can I get for you?

[....he lets out a breath. Okay -- a different world, most likely. Similar, but not the same.]

That's good. They were a set of powerful magical artifacts, made through a terrible shadow alchemy ritual. They saved my kingdom, but...they also led to events that brought it to its knees.

IC inbox

Post-TWEWY event, date time! cw; borderline harassment

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<Zigazigah> early July

<Player1>

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Action, TWEWYtopia

thaaaank you for catching us i completely blanked on that D:

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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.