knifemonopoly | IC inbox

Of course. They say that suffering that's meaningless is harder to bear... ...it's easier to put up with what they're doing and saying knowing it's so that you can get stronger, without getting in the kind of trouble a tier 3 offering gets you into yet. You got enough of that with the Cube.

I know

But it's more than that. Even if I didn't want that power

I'm still behind you ok?

You aren't wrong for playing by the rules of the game.

You're smart enough to know that already but

I wanted to say it anyway.

Part of the rules, I think, is that the whole peninsula loses perspective when something's related to one of the gods. They're outraged, because they can point at us, and say, "At least we're not like THOSE monsters, they're so much worse than us!" But, that aside... ...thank you. If this works, I'll have a power that will mean no one will ever put me in a position like Daniel did, or that other guy did, ever again. Let me know if you make it to three, too...do you know what you're going to ask for?

i guess every story has to have some bad guys right?

[She just thought that bad guys was a lot more clear-cut.

That said, she notes that mention of Daniel specifically as another confirmation that yes, Atem was the one tortured alongside Dandy. She knew it was right to stand by Atem.]G

nah. i have no idea

i think

*maybe*

being a shade makes it kind of hard to ask for things rationally??? so. you know

I should probably wait a little while before making demands.

That makes sense. You should be your normal monster type, so you know what you want. If Shade Maya wants an offensive power, but Mer-Maya wants a protective one...it's Mer-Maya who's going to have it longer, so she should have the final say.

yeah!!! exactly!!!

maaaaaybe shade-maya should TOTALLY stop making decisions that are gonna long-term effeect mer-maya altogether, tbh.

[Ha. Ha, ha ha...]

Temporary monster changes can be difficult that way. Nephil-Atem made some pretty bad decisions, too. Actually, they more or less led me here...though, other people's choices had a lot to do with it, too. Are you okay?

[By now, Maya has talked to Mukuro, the first person she contacted— and she can say, now; ]

No, not really.

But I'm starting to think 'okay' just isn't something we get to be here very often, and I think I'm learning to deal with that.

Is there anything you need? This was my plan, and if you're hurting because of it...

hey, don't take all the credit here.

you never made me do anything, and it wasn't your bright idea to put it on tv like *this*.

The choices I made were my own! I have to deal with that. It's not fair to you and Mukuro and Ryou to take all the blame.

I understand, but... I'm used to being unpopular. After all, I used to be a vengeance ghost! Before I came here, nearly everyone I ended up face to face with wanted to do worse to me than the people on that network post seem to. I don't mind, if most of the people who meet me don't like me, or understand me...especially if there's a few people who still do.

yeah. I think I get it.

I didn't exactly know very many people before I got here? But you could definitely say I was unpopular back home. actually it's kind of refreshing seeing people don't like me for something I did instead of something I couldn't control, you know?

...but I think you're still a really good guy who's trying to do his best even if you were a vengeance ghost before. it's just proof that someone with all that anger in their heart can still try to do what they think is right after all that.

even if you're used to being unpopular, it can still feel pretty bad.
I'll keep believing in you. Cos i think you're really great.

Thanks, Maya. I think you're pretty great, too. You know, even with all this trouble coming out of it...I wouldn't take it back. The only thing I regret is you and Ryou getting hurt as a result...he's not doing well at all. But I weighed the cost of doing this, and the cost of doing nothing, and I knew which one was worse. If you want to keep climbing...then, make sure that what you do to get there is something you can stand behind. Even if no one else really gets it. They don't have to, as long as it's what makes sense to you.

oh... I don't know ryou very well but if there's any way I can help him, let me know ok?

i think he's really upset... he said he got me in trouble. but i get in trouble on my own all the time. I don't regret helping you guys out even if things went further than I thought.

you're what I'm standing behind right now, until I figure out what's really gonna make me strong. You and Mukuro and people like you. people who do their best even in the face of stuff like this. you've been teaching me that I can't just stay in one place and expect things to get better for myself or anyone else. even if it's a mistake, we have to make a move.

no matter how scary it gets i hope you reach the outcome you're looking for. no, I believe you will.

it hurts today but tomorrow will be easier.

He's a friendly guy, when he's not this upset...a good guy to get to know! He's just had a hard time, here. I hope this power can help him...help him protect himself, help him get stronger. I'd protect him with my life, and he knows it, but what he needs right now is confidence in himself. After all, it can make you feel pretty bad, to be protected all the time but not be strong enough to protect your friends back, when they need it. But he'll find it. I believe in him. I know you'll find what makes you strong, too. And if anyone gives you trouble... ...I'm not worried about confronting anyone anymore. My third tier power was granted...it worked.

Since you care about him I *know* he's a good guy. I'll try to talk to him soon too. It's best we all stick together in times like this, right? at least behind the scenes.

I know it's dangerous for them if some of the others stay our friends, but that's all the more reason we should look out for each other following the fog now.

Don't worry. I'm going to become someone who can stand up for you just the same ; ) I don't know how yet... I might not be as good at the scary part as I thought.

What did you ask for?

[Up until now, Atem's kept what precisely he's capable of very close to his jacket. He's still not talking about his tier 2 powers. No one gets to know what those are, until he has to use them. Even Ryou doesn't know.

But tier 3? He doesn't mind if that part gets out, not at all.]

The ability to give my injuries back to the person who gave them to me.

[Plus, there's the trading-places element...but he's not telling about that, not yet. It's not out of mistrust of Maya. It's that he knows things like doppelgangers and the network malfunction happen, and even the people you trust most might give away secrets without meaning to.]

I can also become undead whenever I like. It's pretty gross-looking, but if I temporarily change to another monster type, it'll mean I don't have to breathe! But the ability to heal myself, and punish anyone who hurt me...that's what I wanted out of this.

thats

so

cool

[she's been like, sobbing all day, but for some reason thinking about Atem having a bunch of spooky ancient super powers like some kind of cool TV series just really breaks her down. Don't tell her about the rest of Yu-Gi-Oh yet.]

sorry i mean i'm really glad for you!! i knew you could do it. at least something worked out!

[she's also pretty glad they didn't end up with Elias-driven punishments this round, too...]

[Heh...still, a reinforcement that his choice of powers was a good one feels nice.]

I know everyone is angry right now...but the truth is, I feel safer than I have in a long time. I've been feeling like I'm an easy target for months...and that's not true anymore!

[Even if no one's coming for him, when he's in trouble...he can protect himself.]

So, I mean it when I say this: if you get in trouble, call me! You still remember my symbol, right? The one that lets me see what's happening around it?

Oh!! yeah!! definitely!

[Her memory is pretty great, especially for symbols and important things like that. Except when it's funnier to forget, apparently.]

It's funny, I had to use my medium powers in a way like that to get out of trouble once... so I know for sure I can count on a plan like that!

Edited 2022-03-31 21:34 (UTC)

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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.