Yu-Gi-Oh! Skies [IC/R-16]

[The Warden]

"We haven't properly introduced each other yet. My name is Hoshiko~!"

 

Alison stared at the outstretched hand, and immediately her own clutched together. "I am Alison" she answered without taking Hoshiki's handshake. "And no, I do not play Shaddolls, I am just familiar with their lore as being a member of Blue Yonder's Occult Club, we like to learn about Yugioh monster lore, especially the macabre sorts such as the tale of the Shaddolls. This includes the unfortunate fall of Gem-Knight Master Diamond from his once proud form to collapsing into Cairngorgon, and then his head eventually becoming the Shaddoll Core. I do also happen to enjoy the antics of funny mister Skull Servant" she said with a slight giggle, as if changing the subject of the handshake or pretending it didn't happen.

[King K. Azo]

 

Yushiro was ready to answer him, the words leaving his mouth. "Nothing in particular dude. I just figured we could-" Suddenly, Akira felt a chop on the back of his head that made him stumble forward. The Man Akira grumbled as he rubbed his head, the pain something he was used to, but he didn't particularly like. 
 
"For your information, I, Katsu the Strong, keep you on track! If it wasn't for me you wouldn't be here right now! While you were gone, I had to meet with the faculty regarding our clubs! They claim that neither have enough members to warrant separate martial-arts clubs and are standing to combine them!" Combine them? Combine them?! What nonsense. Obviously, anyone with a brain could see why this was just imposs--- 
 
"Is it really that big of a deal if they get combined? All the different art stuff is all part of the art club, and the duel team has all kinds of duelists with really different playstyles. I'm not really seeing why there has to be two martial arts clubs, especially if they're both having a tough time with membership." Well, he supposed that not everyone had a brain. Still, at the very least...
 

"Wellllll its not quite that simple, but on the same token Katsu I can't see how combining membership is a bad thing. It'll expose more people to your style if all the clubs' members are in the same place right? Besides. MMA is pretty big these days." And now even the man Yushiro thought the same way! This wasn't good at all.

"I, the man Akira, see your point," He finally replied. "However, the examples the woman Kyouko provided do not apply here. A painter and a sculptor don't need the same tools, nor do people that play cards," He explained. "However, in martial arts, the same equipment is used for different things, so the man Akira and the woman Katsu would need to try to share the same equipment, which just wouldn't happen. Then duels would be used to settle the disputes, and then we'd get nothing done," He shrugged. "As for MMA, a man or woman would need to be well versed in one art before they can learn from the other. Trying to learn two at once would bring nothing but confusion,"

 

---

 

 

Sai sighed to himself as he opened the door to CoffeCards. He particularly wasn't one for coffee, but they made some decent hot chocolate, and he was in the mood for that. With a sigh, he got in line, waiting to be able to have his order taken. He really just wanted the drink and to high tail it out of here. 

[Dova]

---

 
Yusuji beamed happily at all the compliments given to her by the others in the room. Although it was always nice to here Jun's comments, it was almost just as good to hear similar praise from their new friend Melissa, and possibly-maybe-friend Souji.

“That’s a lot of pigeons...no, I like it. I really like it.”

"Well that's great, because I loved drawing it too!" Yusuji nodded emphatically to emphasize the point.  "Also glad you don't think there's too many pigeons. I was planning on drawing a few, but...you can see what happened there. They're just soooo cute!"
 
"Oh, before I forget, it's a nice painting there. I mean, I don't really get the significance of it noooooor the symbolism if there is any, buuuut it's nice nonetheless."
 
At this, Yusuji's nods became a bit more solemn and she turned to re-examine her work. "Well, I was thinking about emphasizing the beauty of solace along with...something else, probably not too important but I'm sure it'll come back to me when I continue!" Her statement was barely finished before Yusuji started reselecting her brushes.

"You should figure out a price tag for your newest customer here."

"Price tag?" Yusuji asked confusedly, pausing on her way to grab her apron to turn back to the present company. "But Melissa just gave...and I..."

Then she remember Melissa's earlier request.

"I couldn't possibly make her...you pay for this!" Yusuji burst out laughing, returning to to her canvas and gesticulating madly around it to Melissa as she talked. "I've always had it that my friends always get 1-" She glanced at Jun knowingly. "-actually, at least 1 of my paintings as a Yusuji Super Friend gift! I wouldn't have it any other way." 

 

Her point made, Yusuji recollected her apron and tools to begin work anew on her painting. This time, however, her motions were slower as she tried to keep her attention on both the other occupants and her canvas.

---

[Super Chaos Sonic]

 

 

"Yes yes, we all know the great Kamen Rider was soooo much better that he didn't have to try."

 

"Okay, Jun...that wasn't even what I was trying to say." Souji grumbled, rolling his eyes. "Sheesh. Paint me out to look like the damn bad guy here...n-no pun intended." he quickly rectified the fact that he realized he made the pun, as he immediately cleared his throat.

 

"But, maybe you should take up 'Suji's offer. After all, you could do with more colors then just green."

 

Souji frowned slightly at Jun's statement. "First: she said never mind on that front. Second: my costume isn't just green. While green is the primary color, its being accentuated by the colors, red, black, and white, with gold for the belt." he explained, holding up two fingers while going into detail about this. "Besides, it's done fine for me so far. Why change a classic?"

 

"Well, I was thinking about emphasizing the beauty of solace along with...something else, probably not too important but I'm sure it'll come back to me when I continue!"

 

Turning his attention back to Yusuji, Souji listened to what she was explaining there. He didn't fully understand, but he simply nodded and went with it. She seemed to know what she was talking about, what was the use in trying to assume anything else?

[radio414]

“Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.”
-Romans 13:7-8 (NIV)

“I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Yusuji had said.

 

Melissa felt the opposite. Once the words had been spoken, once the idea had been put out there that Melissa was interested in purchasing Yusuji’s artwork, it wasn’t going to go away. It was almost enough to ignore Jun patting her on the back. Almost. But she tolerated it more than normal this time; her mind was too busy thinking of the best way to give Yusuji her money.

The worst way, Melissa decided, was forcing Yusuji to the ground and stuffing wads of bills into whatever pockets she could find. Melissa wasn’t sure what it said about her that that was the first thing she thought of, but she was glad to quickly rule that out. A more sane option would be paying her anyway (though Melissa wasn’t sure she’d be able to insist over Yusuji’s insistence, which was the whole problem in the first place) or at least buying her lunch or a coffee or something. It was certainly something to keep in mind.

In the meantime, conversation mercifully not involving the one person in the room who’d rather not be talking seemed to be picking up. Bad guy talk, costume talk, it all blended together into a mess of noise in such a way that if Melissa tried to make any sense of it, she’d inevitably find herself thrust into the spotlight again. Besides, Yusuji had started painting again, and Melissa had promised to watch.

[Alaina]

 

Rolling her eyes at Souji the girl merely said, "right right right. Not just green. All I'm saying is your deck is full of rainbows so spruce yourself up one of these days." As Yusuji then went on to assure 'Lissa about getting the painting for free, Jun merely gave a thumbs up to her underclassmen saying, "it's true. Heck I've got one of her paintings hanging up in my room, and it didn't cost me a thing!" Jun seemed to be both trying to assure Melissa and seemed oddly proud about this fact at the same time.

 

All the same, the girl eventually went back to watching Yusuji move about the canvas and gave a bit of commentary about the painting and once it was finished, Jun gave a small clap to the artist saying, "nice job 'Suji! Great work as always." After echoing her prior statement, the girl looked down at her phone and said, "oh, look guys." Showing her phone, which just displayed the time on her sea-themed lock screen the girl said, "the duel between Captain and 'Beth is starting soon. And if it's going to be half as good as its been hyped up I'm sure it'll be a great watch. So, how's about we get going there guys?" 

[VCR_CAT]

Katsu, the Strong

 

 

Kyouko had spoken first. "Is it really that big of a deal if they get combined? All the different art stuff is all part of the art club, and the duel team has all kinds of duelists with really different playstyles. I'm not really seeing why there has to be two martial arts clubs, especially if they're both having a tough time with membership." At that, Katsu had growled and clenched her fists.
 
"Wellllll its not quite that simple," Yushiro responded, and Katsu let out a sigh of relief at these words. "But on the same token, Katsu, I can't see how combining membership is a bad thing. It'll expose more people to your style if all the clubs' members are in the same place right? Besides. MMA is pretty big these days." And with that Katsu had begun to growl again once more.

"I, the man Akira, see your point," Akira then replied. "However, the examples the woman Kyouko provided do not apply here. A painter and a sculptor don't need the same tools, nor do people that play cards. However, in martial arts, the same equipment is used for different things, so the man Akira and the woman Katsu would need to try to share the same equipment, which just wouldn't happen. Then duels would be used to settle the disputes, and then we'd get nothing done." He shrugged. "As for MMA, a man or woman would need to be well versed in one art before they can learn from the other. Trying to learn two at once would bring nothing but confusion,"

 

"For once," Katsu said, breathing in through gritted teeth, "I, Katsu the Strong, agree with the meat-head. Mastering an art takes years of intense focus! Nobody can just learn multiple at the same time willy-nilly! And besides, there are several different Martial Arts tournaments, some with a fixed set of allowed styles, and others that allow freestyle. Blue Yonder had entered teams in both types of tournaments, and if we want to win them then we need to focus hard on what we do best! That's why we both have to speak to administration today, to stop them from merging our clubs! Isn't that right, Akira?" Katsu shot Akira a fierce glare, as if he was told of this earlier and was meant to remember it.

[BANZAI!!!!]

 

 

“Um yeah, I am actually. My dorm room is in this direction and I was planning on dropping off these papers there.”

 

"Splendid. Shall we?" Kazu gestured in the direction of the science building, and the pair began to walk.

 

“Your uniform looks nice. Although, it isn’t the Blue Yonder uniform.” Akari paused for a second or two before she continued. “I’m guessing you haven’t gotten yours in yet?”

 

"Yes, that's correct. Such is life when you're a transfer student. Though I don't really mind wearing my old uniform..." Kazu trailed off for a moment as he and Akari passed a rather loud group standing in front of a bench. He turned his head to appraise them as he passed. The boys, one of whom was massive, didn't warrant much thought, but the two girls seemed ready to go at each other's throats. Unconsciously, he narrowed his eyes, focusing his gaze on the tall one with the blue hair, then quickly turned back to Akari before she would have had a chance to ask him about it. "Are students here always so rambunctious?" He mused.

 

 

 

 

"I, the man Akira, see your point," Akira then replied. "However, the examples the woman Kyouko provided do not apply here. A painter and a sculptor don't need the same tools, nor do people that play cards. However, in martial arts, the same equipment is used for different things, so the man Akira and the woman Katsu would need to try to share the same equipment, which just wouldn't happen. Then duels would be used to settle the disputes, and then we'd get nothing done." He shrugged. "As for MMA, a man or woman would need to be well versed in one art before they can learn from the other. Trying to learn two at once would bring nothing but confusion,"

 

"Right, but aren't the current members of each club already well versed? Get what I'm sayi-"

 

 

"For once," Katsu said, breathing in through gritted teeth, "I, Katsu the Strong, agree with the meat-head. Mastering an art takes years of intense focus! Nobody can just learn multiple at the same time willy-nilly! And besides, there are several different Martial Arts tournaments, some with a fixed set of allowed styles, and others that allow freestyle. Blue Yonder had entered teams in both types of tournaments, and if we want to win them then we need to focus hard on what we do best! That's why we both have to speak to administration today, to stop them from merging our clubs! Isn't that right, Akira?"

 

It was probably better to change the subject at this point. "Hey guys, we should probably get going before it gets too late. I've got somewhere to be later, and I don't really wanna rush over there from coffeecards in the middle of drinks. Soooooooo lets get going, shall we? Still coming with, Kyouko?"

 

----

 

About an hour later, the group had made it into town proper. In that short amount of time, the weather had gone from pleasant and sunny to gloomy and overcast. It was likely to rain, and the thought of running back to campus in inclement weather had Yushiro a bit worried. Still, they were here, and for the moment what was in the forefront of his mind was a nice, sweet iced coffee.

 

Back on campus, the mood was decidedly more energetic. Even though there was still some time before Elizabeth and Hitomu squared off, a small crowd had already started to gather at the dueling grounds, no doubt thanks to Ashley's advertising. The Student council president sat in the front row of the bleachers, closer to the end of the field where Liz was likely to take her place. Not that it mattered much. Once the duel began she knew both players would be running back and forth all over the field, dodging card effects and trying to gain an advantage. The real X factor, other than Beth's skill and motivation of course, would be the shape the field took. She recalled that Hitomu's dueling field was usually a wacky cornucopia of cartoon vistas and physics-defying contraptions, but for the life of her Ashley couldn't remember what Beth's solo field used to look like- it had been that long since she'd seen her play seriously by herself. What it turned out to be was likely to have a huge effect on the game, and she hoped that it would tip the scales in her best friend's favor.

 

 

[Yui]

---

"Wellllll its not quite that simple, but on the same token Katsu I can't see how combining membership is a bad thing. It'll expose more people to your style if all the clubs' members are in the same place right? Besides. MMA is pretty big these days."

 

"I, the man Akira, see your point. However, the examples the woman Kyouko provided do not apply here."

 

That a fact?

 

"A painter and a sculptor don't need the same tools, nor do people that play cards. However, in martial arts, the same equipment is used for different things, so the man Akira and the woman Katsu would need to try to share the same equipment, which just wouldn't happen. Then duels would be used to settle the disputes, and then we'd get nothing done. As for MMA, a man or woman would need to be well versed in one art before they can learn from the other. Trying to learn two at once would bring nothing but confusion."

 

"For once, I, Katsu the Strong, agree with the meat-head. Mastering an art takes years of intense focus! Nobody can just learn multiple at the same time willy-nilly! And besides, there are several different Martial Arts tournaments, some with a fixed set of allowed styles, and others that allow freestyle. Blue Yonder had entered teams in both types of tournaments, and if we want to win them then we need to focus hard on what we do best! That's why we both have to speak to administration today, to stop them from merging our clubs! Isn't that right, Akira?"

 

Freestyle? Was that when there were no martial arts involved, like what Kyouko did? Tournaments allowed that?? Neat. I'd rather not make a living by beating people up though. She was starting to get the picture though. Same equipment, different needs, no can do. Like trying to get a chef and a serial killer to share a steak knife.The big guy's explanation helped a lot.

 

"Hey guys, we should probably get going before it gets too late. I've got somewhere to be later, and I don't really wanna rush over there from coffeecards in the middle of drinks. Soooooooo lets get going, shall we? Still coming with, Kyouko?"

 

"Sure. I could go for some coffee and a snack."

An hour later, the group had arrived at CoffeeCards. The previously sunny weather had gone gloomy and overcast. It seemed like it would probably rain. That was more Kyouko's pace than the sun. Now that they were here, the first order of business was  to actually get something. Kyouko stepped up to the counter, and already reaching for her wallet, said "Extra-large latte please. And... four of those cookies." It had been an hour of walking to get here, and would be an hour of walking to get back. A quick snack never hurt anyone.

---

[👀 REP 👀]

 

---

 

Awkwardly, Hoshiko withdrew her hand as Alison didn't take it. Another shy one? But she had been very social before... it was confusing, to say the least. The girl introduced herself as Alison, describing herself as a member of a club that looked into the card's lore. "The lore of the cards huh?" She said, almost instinctively ignoring the part about Shadolls having a rather macabre story to them. "That sounds interesting!" Hoshiko said, taking another sip of her coffee. 

 

 

Shortly after their conversation, the two parted ways and, a bit after that, the big duel was going to start. She had gotten there early, although it seemed like she wasn't the only one. A small crowd had already started forming. In her hands was an umbrella, preparing herself for the inevitable rain that would fall. She took one of the front rows, excited to see how this duel would play out. 

 

 

[LordCowCowCowCowCowCowCowCow]

"So this is where the strongest student is about to do battle..." Gabriela stood at the front of the crowd that had gathered. A girl as small as her usually would have trouble being at the forefront of any group but she had practically parted the crowd by declaring "Make way for the Princess of Darkness, the Emissary of the Damned, Gabriela Von Draculesti! I must observe the so called strongest of this realm and see their mettle. This is an important duel so that I may determine the worth of your people!"

 

Whether or not they had moved out of their way due to confusion, respect, or wanting to get far away from the crazy little girl in a Halloween outfit, she couldn't say. Gabriela was certain they could sense her regal nature.

 

Gabby was struggling to not blush and hide in the back row. But she needed this. Her roommate had mentioned the duel team and of its leader, albeit only in vague but impressive terms, and she knew she had to try and introduce herself. She had only gotten to this school due to winning duels so her only chance to make something of herself was through duels.

Which meant joining the duel team and learning from the best.

 

But of course Gabriela's goal was much different. She needed a powerful servant and, from what she had heard, this Hitomu was the most powerful she could get.

[The Frost King]

 "Yes, that's correct. Such is life when you're a transfer student. Though I don't really mind wearing my old uniform..." Kazu trailed off for a moment as they passed by a group of students that seemed to be in the middle of a heated conversation. With Kazu’s attention towards the group, Akari decided to take her own glance in the group’s direction. At once, surprise took hold as she recognized three of the four people there, as she had seen them all at the school festival. Yushiro and Akira seemed to be relatively calm as they talked while on the other hand, Kyouko and another girl, which Akari didn’t recognize, both looked as if they were about to go past their boiling points. Sensing that the two girls were about to blow, Akari quickened her pace slightly in hopes of getting out of the blast radius. At that moment, Kazu turned his attention back to Akari. "Are students here always so rambunctious?" 

 

“Um no, not really,” She paused for a moment as she contemplated about what she had just said. “Well, there are a few students that have been known to cause trouble on the regular, one of them being Kyouko back there.” She threw a thumb in the direction of the blue-haired girl before continuing. “And students can get pretty excited whenever a big duel comes around, like the one that’s happening today between Hitomu, one of the best students on campus, and some girl named Elizabeth who challenged him.” At this point, Akari's mood had went from calm like a teacher to as excited as a child in a candy shop in almost no time flat.

 

“I’m actually going to go watch said duel today,” As soon as the words left her mouth, an idea had popped into her mind. “Want to join along?” She asked, a friendly smile shining brightly on her face.

[radio414]

---

Jun had taken it upon herself to seat all four of them just overlooking the center line that would separate the two duelists, whom Jun had referred to as “‘Beth” and “Captain” without ever elaborating on what either of those words meant. Melissa could infer that “‘Beth” probably meant “Elizabeth”, but Jun referring to anyone as “Captain” was utterly foreign to her.

Not that she was particularly itching to find out answers to these questions. Again she had let herself get swept up in the day, though at least this time she had a much less nebulous goal than “Just grow up, why don’t you?” or try and keep up a resolution she had already reneged and un-reneged on like it was stuck in a revolving door. She had to get through enough of the day to be reasonably sure that Hoshiko was home and could let her in.

Melissa remembered she had an outstanding message from Connor she had yet to reply to. She opened her phone and read it again:

From: Connor
To: Melissa

Hows tuesday? Not tomorrow but starting next week i mean

“Tuesday’s fine,” she wrote back, “or should be fine, at least.” She almost pressed SEND but stopped herself. It was a little passive-aggressive, especially for her, wasn’t it? She really shouldn’t still be mad at him, right? And she wasn’t. She wasn’t. Delete everything, start over.

“Tuesday’s fine,” she wrote again. That part was good. Maybe she should just send that? Melissa spent a few moments stared blankly at her phone, just focused enough to not notice Jun lurking over her shoulder.

“Oh, texting a friend? You can invite them to come and watch the duel too. The more the merrier after all.”

Melissa’s phone might as well have teleported to her pocket with how fast she moved. She didn’t even say anything. She didn’t say “Nothing!” or “None of your business!” or anything like that. Instead, she stared forwards, out towards the duel arena.

It really was a nice view, not that Melissa was thinking too hard about where these seats ranked in the pecking order, instead trying as hard as she could to focus on the dueling grounds in front of her. You really could see everything from where they were. Which meant, of course, that everybody could see you as well.

Nobody was looking, but it felt like they were.

“I have to go use the restroom,” Melissa said.

It wasn’t a full-blown panic like yesterday (though it could easily have been the same restroom), she simply needed to be alone for a moment, and this seemed like as good an excuse as any. So instead of kneeling hunched over a toilet bowl, Melissa instead paced the perimeter of the room, clockwise, then counterclockwise, again and again. Sometimes, generally whenever somebody else came in but also once or twice on her own accord, she’d stop and wash her face and hands. She was fine. She was fine.

She was in a mood, sure (the first step was admitting the problem), but at least with all that pacing and thinking she’d thought of a way to at least start paying Yusuji back. She pulled out her phone, saved her message to Connor for later, and made a new one:

To: Jun
From: Melissa

Hey, I decided to stop and get some snacks. Do any of you want anything?

One barrage of text messages later:

From: Jun
To: Melissa

Oh swell thanks
Just get me a soda
And maybe chips
Chips are good
And ‘Suji wants cotton candy
And get souji a pretzel
Cause it’s like him
Always bunch up in a knot
Anyway thanks
See ya

The only problem with this plan was it seemed like everybody on campus had the same idea, which meant the lines (the crowds) were horrendous no matter where she went. And in one of these particular crowds was another problem:

"Make way for the Princess of Darkness, the Emissary of the Damned, Gabriela Von Draculesti! I must observe the so-called strongest of this realm and see their mettle. This is an important duel so that I may determine the worth of your people!"

Well.

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith -- and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God -- not by works, so that no one can boast.”
-Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV)

In no sane universe would that outburst -- well, any sort of outburst, really, but that outburst in particular -- attract Melissa’s attention, but it managed to in this one. Maybe it was the way she said it that demanded further notice, maybe it was her outfit with its similar eye-catching effect, or maybe it was simply the funk Melissa had worked herself into that pulled her attention away from her own self and towards the first “weird thing” she could find.

This was the worst kind of curiosity, Melissa decided. There was no way following this girl as she ascended up to the nose-dive seats of the arena was a good idea. But she also felt like she had to do something, right? No matter what kind of person Gabriela von Draculesti was, it would probably still be nice of her to offer some better seating, right?

She was a good person, right?

Melissa postponed her snack hunt for just a moment and trailed the girl until they reached their final destination all the way at the top of the arena. Briefly, Melissa pictured Gabriela’s frustration at the idea of having to trudge all the way back down to the lower sections, but she trudged on after her anyway.

Eventually, she was within hearing distance. “Hey,” Melissa said.

Gabriela looked at Melissa like a queen would look upon a peasant. “Is there something you require my noble presence for?” she said.

“Um,” Melissa said, instinctively shrinking back a half-step. “I have some friends down near the middle if you’d, uh, rather perform your judgment there.”

From: Melissa

To: Connor

 

Tuesdays should work great. I'll see you next week.

[LordCowCowCowCowCowCowCowCow]

Inwardly Gabby wasn't sure how to react to the girl who had approached her. She seemed nice. Quiet, but nice. Was she trying to become Gabriela's friend? Was this working already? Gabby couldn't help but be shocked at this sudden turn of events. She wasn't entirely sure what she should say. Inwardly, that is.

 

Outwardly was a different story.

 

“Is there something you require my noble presence for?” she said.

“Um, I have some friends down near the middle if you’d, uh, rather perform your judgment there.”

 

Friends? Multiple? Gabby would have hesitated at this, especially given the girl's meek attitude, clearly somewhat put off by the situation, but Gabriela evidently had a different plan.

 

She threw her arm out dramatically, and called out, as if to the heavens. "And already this land has thrown a flock of lost lambs to my feet. I would be remiss in my royal duties were I to turn down the request to grace those beneath me with my company." She took a step towards Melissa, pointing at the girl. "Escort me to these 'friends' of yours, vanguard of this land."

[spoiler=OOC]To be clear I don't intend for Gabby and Gabriela to be "two different personalities" the Gabriela stuff is just to indicate where Gabby is going into "the zone" as it were.

Also if Radio is down for it and doesn't want to short post just to do it we can assume that Melissa brings Gabriela to the rest.

 

[Alaina]

 

As the group had made their way to the arena, it was evident how popular this match was going to be given how crowded the event space had already been. While the girl didn't mind a crowd usually, it made it pretty annoying to navigate and find a seat to get. All the same, after awhile, the group found a place and, more luckily for Jun, her newest friend had decided to go and get them snacks! What a good person Melissa was. As such, Jun was left to recline back in her seat and wait a bit, as the preparation for the duel was still getting underway. 
 
After some waiting, though, Melissa had finally returned. And with company at that! Her eyes lighting up, the girl waved towards her friend saying, "hey there 'Lissa! That your friend you were texting?" 
 
Melissa's face turned a light red. "No, um... no. I just was in line at concessions and heard her looking for a good place to watch the duel. And you said the more the merrier, right?"
 
With a bright smile on her face, Jun got up from her seat and made her way over to the two,  Nodding cheerily she said, "I probably did! Good work 'Lissa!" 
 
It was at this moment that Melissa had a look of realization cross her face and with a hurried, "I, uh, I'll be right back," rushed right away back to whatever it was she was doing before. 
 
A bit surprised, Jun simply said, "weird," though swiftly turned her attention to the newcomer. Stepping closer to them with a hand out to shake she said, "well, hey there not 'Lissa's but kind of 'Lissa's friend. Glad you decided to join us! Name's Jun, and the other two are also my friends." She pointed with her other hand towards Yusuji and Souji. 
 

"Greetings, common-folk, you now stand before Princess Gabriela Von Draculesti, hailing from the land of Romvania. I have come to your land to learn and judge your people's worth. And thusly I came here, to this duel, in order to view the strongest among you in action and thereby determine his worth as my servant. Perhaps you, too, may serve me one day. I am kind to the lambs under my care so it would be a rewarding venture."
 
Jun's face seemed momentarily stunned as the girl made her rather unique greeting and introduction. This stunned face was soon replaced though, as Jun snorted out a chuckle, follow by doubling over as this turned into a full blown laugh. "What the -hahaha - what the heck was that? Oh man," Jun continued to laugh a bit as she stood back up straight and gave a thumbs up. "Well, nice - nice to meet you Gabby. Now come on," moving to then hook drape her arm over the girl's shoulders and start moving towards the others, dragging the "Princess" along with her, she said, "if you want to see Captain in action then we got all the seats in the world for you to sit with us...with. Guys, say hi to our new friend." 

[Super Chaos Sonic]

 

 

"Right right right. Not just green. All I'm saying is your deck is full of rainbows so spruce yourself up one of these days."

 

Souji rolled his eyes slightly, before exhaling sharply. "...I'll think about it..." he shrugged. It wasn't his place to argue right now, he was trying to be friendly to Jun's group, trying to make new friends...arguing would accomplish none of that. At the same time, he just felt that going with a costume like what Jun and Yusuji was suggesting would take the eyes off the Duel and just have it where he was the center of attention. As an Entertainer, that would've been fine for anyone, but for Souji, he thought different.

 

"The Duel between Captain and 'Beth is starting soon. And if it's going to be half as good as its been hyped up I'm sure it'll be a great watch. So, how's about we get going there guys?"

 

"Yeah...guess I'll go." he shrugged, rolling his shoulders some. "Can't exactly turn down an opportunity to see Hitomu Duel." ...with that...Souji went with Jun and the group to the Duel Arena.

 

 

Souji sat down in the arena stands, just awaiting for the Duel to start, hearing Melissa and Jun talking, as he was about to start snoozing with his fedora over his head when...

 

"Greetings, common-folk, you now stand before Princess Gabriela Von Draculesti, hailing from the land of Romvania. I have come to your land to learn and judge your people's worth. And thusly I came here, to this duel, in order to view the strongest among you in action and thereby determine his worth as my servant. Perhaps you, too, may serve me one day. I am kind to the lambs under my care so it would be a rewarding venture."

 

Welp...there went that bit of rest. he thought, lifting the fedora up from his face and noticing Gabriela with the group. That's a princess? Here? ...man, Blue Yonder gets even more popular with every single year, I guess...

 

"Well, nice - nice to meet you Gabby. Now come on, if you want to see Captain in action then we got all the seats in the world for you to sit with us...with. Guys, say hi to our new friend."

 

Souji waved his hand slightly, nodding as well. "Hey." Hopefully she wasn't expecting a grander hello, since she was royalty and whatnot.

[BANZAI!!!!]

 

“Um no, not really,” Akari paused for a moment as she contemplated about what she had just said. “Well, there are a few students that have been known to cause trouble on the regular, one of them being Kyouko back there.” She threw a thumb in the direction of the blue-haired girl before continuing. “And students can get pretty excited whenever a big duel comes around, like the one that’s happening today between Hitomu, one of the best students on campus, and some girl named Elizabeth who challenged him. I’m actually going to go watch said duel today. Want to join along?”

 

Kazu took another glance back at the group before he responded. "Ahh, unfortunately I can't. I still have plenty of unpacking to do after class gets out. I only arrived here the other night, you see." At this point they had reached the front of the science building, and Kazu stopped. "Well, I'd best be off to class. Wouldn't want to be late on my first day." He gave her a slight bow before turning off toward the front door, then stopped and turned back to her mid-stride. "Thank you for showing me the way. Perhaps we'll get a chance to see one another again when I have a bit more free time. Take care." And with that, he was off inside, faster than Akari could respond to him. He was incredibly quick about it, actually...

 

 

"I'll take a medium iced coffee with cream and sugar, please." Yushiro said, trying hard not to stare too intently at the rather attractive barista who had taken Hitomu's shift for the day. She didn't pick up on it, thankfully, and a few moments later Yushiro got his cup and slid into the booth that Kyouko had taken a seat at, making sure he left plenty of room for Akira and/or Katsu to sit next to him. While he had a moment, he decided to indulge his curiosity about something that'd been bugging him. "So wait, you and Katsu had a fistfight? what was that over?"

[Dova]

---

A brisk walk later, and the group of new and old friends was watching the duel. Well, the duel hadn’t quite started yet, but Yusuji was there just as much for the time with Jun, Melissa and now Souji and the food as the actual duel itself. A double batch of exciting for the bunch of them!

 

In fact, she had just finished a particularly engaging discussion with Jun regarding their schedules with their new timetables when Melissa returned from her snack trip with someone else new! The Halloween costume she wore was a bit dark, and even a little frayed up close, but the girl looked so cute in it that Yusuji could barely keep herself from squealing at the initial exchange of words between Jun and the newcomer.

 

Her introductory speech, however, knocked all other thoughts from Yusuji’s mind.

 

"Greetings, common-folk, you now stand before Princess Gabriela Von Draculesti, hailing from the land of Romvania. I have come to your land to learn and judge your people's worth. And thusly I came here, to this duel, in order to view the strongest among you in action and thereby determine his worth as my servant. Perhaps you, too, may serve me one day. I am kind to the lambs under my care so it would be a rewarding venture."

 

“Wow…” Yusuji mouthed. Gabriella had seemed adorable, but this...this was something else entirely. Pure poetry, and such a grand, albeit slightly off-putting, aura as well. The words probably meant something too, but Yusuji had lost herself to the awe about halfway in and so had caught very little aside from the initial introduction. It was only Jun’s signature laugh and eventual invitation that brought Yusuji back to reality.

 

“Guys, say hi to our new friend."

 

“Hi!” Yusuji cried, jumping up and raising her arms for a hug. “I’m Yusuji, both Jun and Melissa’s friends!” She crossed her arms, pointing both at Jun and in the direction Melissa had vanished. “Soon to be yours too I hope! And as Jun says, plenty of seats just ripe for the taking,” she continued. redirecting both arms towards an empty spot next to Melissa’s seat. “I’m not really a lamb person,” Yusuji added seriously, “but cats and dogs are absolutely amazing. Branching out into sheep might be a good idea though, so if you like them, I’m sure I will!”

---

[LordCowCowCowCowCowCowCowCow]

Gabby would have been overwhelmed by this sudden surge of people if not for the fact that she was too far into her role as Gabriela to realize how very unusual this was for her.

 

For Gabriela knew just what it was like to be the center of attention.

 

First, though, she had to remind these peasants of their place. "My name is Gabriela, nothing less, and certainly not 'Gabby'." She said to Jun. "I do not mind allowing you to call yourselves my friends but I will not let such disrespect pass...Did you say 'Captain'?"

Perhaps this girl knew the one called Hitomu well then. If that was the case then this was surely fate that led her here to this place!

 

The single male of the group barely responded and Gabriela nodded. "Stunned by my radiance I see. I do not blame you. Many in my home country are unable to speak when I am even in the room with them."

 

And then there was this one. The one hoping for a hug. Gabriela shook her head. "I do not do such physical displays of affection." She then realized that Jun was still holding her and, somewhat less gracefully than she'd like, squirmed her way out of the girl's arm.

 

"And of course I like lambs. I may be royalty but I am not cruel. I love all the people beneath me and that includes all of you." Her arms swept to both sides, gesturing at each of them in turn. "I shall take my seat now. I hope that these have been properly cleaned and readied to seat one such as I."

 

Deep inside, Gabby grew nervous. These people seemed so kind. Even to a girl like her. She had to be careful, so very careful, to not let the truth about her slip.

[a coffee]

Elizabeth approached the Dueling Grounds; a place she was familiar with but had not been to in quite some time. It would be her first largely competitive duel under Duel Space in a considerable amount of time, and there was a small, nesting seed of concern in the back of her brain that had begun to grow exponentially as she approached. She stopped herself mentally, taking her spot on her side of the arena, taking a moment to ground herself.

 

Rain. It wasn’t falling, but she could smell it in the air; it was sort of a sweet smell, like the smell of the plants around campus releasing their scent into the thicker air. As a result of the dropping pressure in the air she could feel the air starting to gain the faintest of chills, strange as it was for September.

 

Elizabeth grabbed her deck box out of her bag, as well as her disk. Before she placed the deck inside, she walked over to her opponent but for once, it wasn't fear she felt when she looked at him; it was hunger. The desperation to grasp onto an opportunity and run with it flowered inside of her chest. She wasn't sure if it was anxiety, confidence, or the soul compressing cravings for nicotine she had been pushing off for somewhere around 16 hours (but who's really counting) now, but it was so much different than the typical, muted feeling she felt on a daily basis.

 

Alright, just win the duel, and you're right back where you were; no sweat! Now how would I have done this as a brash, beautiful sophomore with nothing to lose? She pondered that for a moment before continuing, Well I think I'd probably take the piss!

 

“Last chance to back out, chap! You ready?” She shouted confidently towards Hitomu as the distance between them closed. Their last conversation before the duel would go just the same as the duel itself: a back and forth between one seeking to prove something, and another with nothing left to prove.

 

Hitomu smirked. He seemed more relaxed than Elizabeth had ever seen him, even as the crowd gathered and the noise rose until it was enough to drown him out. “For you? Never,” he laughed, but he swung his arm out and unfurled his duel disk anyways. “I’ve got a rep to defend though. I can’t let people think I’m a pushover while I’m all suited up.”

 

His ‘suit’ was actually his Duel Team uniform. A slick blue-and-white jacket, white jeans, and a sturdy pair of light blue boots. He had also tucked his hair into a grey beanie sporting the mascot of his favorite team, the Chasden Choppers, who were inarguably the worst team in the professional circuit.

 

“Seriously though,” he lowered his voice. “How you feeling?”

 

Elizabeth remained steely eyed, keeping her game face up for both the accumulating crowd and for her opponent,

 

“I appreciate the concern Hitomu, I always have, but you and I both came here to do the same thing today, yeah?” she took a step towards her opponent and extended her thin, freezing hand towards him, her palm tiled upwards as if to concede respect to her opponent in the handshake. The wind blew just a bit faster as the pressure in the air continued to drop, sweeping her ponytail back into the air.

 

“But perhaps it would of been a good idea to practice for me, instead of cutting for lunch with Tess, eh?” Elizabeth gave a playful wink and walked away, towards her end of the arena waiting for Hitomu begin the duel, and fill the air with the always dangerous but exciting Duel Space.

 

Alright Elizabeth, it's showtime; which means it's time to show everyone they were wrong about you: you will have a future after Todd, and it doesn't have to be different from your past. A lump formed in the back of her throat. The emotions had rushed to her head, forcing her to take a moment quell her emotions once again; a tear nearly fell out of her eyes due to pure emotional overload, but she would keep herself in check, and the duel would begin.

 

~~ELIZABETH VS. HITOMU~~

TURN 1

ELIZABETH LP: 8000

HITOMU LP: 8000

[Alaina]

 

Jun couldn't help but chuckle yet again with her very amused look on her face as the girl began to talk about lambs and her subjects. She briefly wondered if this was some kind of method acting and this girl was something like a performer like Souji and Rose, but she didn't push any further on them. Instead, as the girl went to take her seat, Jun proudly said, "yeah, Captain. One of the guys dueling today. He's really great at dueling and brewing, and I'm like his right hand man, his go to guy, the almost top dog of the duel team just under him." Jun seemed to speak with pride on this matter, though the substance of these claims were definitely dubious and was more a result of Jun going along with the over exaggerated way of speaking her new friend had. 

 

Sitting down with the rest of her friends, she seemed ready to say more before her attention was taken by the roar of the crowd. With a look of excitement on her face, she looked to her friends saying, "look guys, it's getting ready to start!" Looking to her fellow Juniors, Jun asked, "are you guys ready for this? It's gonna be all, ba bam! and kapow! And boing-oing! It's gonna be great!" While her enthusiasm wasn't necessarily mirrored in her fellow classmates, Jun was definitely feeling a strange sense of nostalgia as these two hadn't dueled in a serious setting since her, and likewise their, freshmen year. 

[Yui]

---

"So wait, you and Katsu had a fistfight? What was that over?"

 

"The latest one?" Looking across the table, at Yushiro, Kyouko took a long sip of her coffee before answering. "Don't remember the details. We're settled all sorts of problems by trading blows though; must be one of the few things we can agree on or something, that it's better to settle it that way instead of playing a card game." Kyouko paused, consuming the top cookie from the stack of four, before continuing. She seemed to be thinking pretty hard as she thought further back than the latest exchange of blows between herself and... Katarina?

 

"First time we had one was back in freshman year though. I was starting something with some snotty kid who thought he was so much better than everyone, and she showed up, told me to leave him alone, and we started swinging at each other. First fight I've ever lost, and I admit I wasn't a very good person back then. I've been working on it though."

---

[VCR_CAT]

Katsu the Strong

 

While Katsu had aimed to get the issue of the school clubs sorted out as soon as possible, time itself had a different idea as the big duel was coming up very soon. Cursing to herself, Katsu told Akira to head over to the duel grounds as soon as possible, and broke off into a fast walk to acquire a drink before the duel itself started.

 

At the coffee shop, Katsu had ordered a double-shot americano, and took the black, bitter drink to the booth that Yushiro and Kyouko were already seated at, talking about your's truly.

 

...she showed up, told me to leave him alone, and we started swinging at each other. First fight I've ever lost, and I admit I wasn't a very good person back then. I've been working on it though," Kyouko said, and from even this brief moment Katsu knew what they were talking about. Walking over, she stood at the end of the booth and spoke up.

 

"She has strength to her hits, but her technique was very sloppy, and from there did nothing to improve in that way, just focused on hitting harder and faster," Katsu said. "I, Katsu the Strong, appreciate that you have made an effort to turn from those days, but forgive me if I don't lower my guard. Also what are you doing sitting in a booth, the duel is starting right away!"

 

As one would have expected of him, Hiraku arrived at the duel arena before the match has begun, giving him enough time to find a seat with a good view. The players approached the field and exchanged a few words, and the mood appeared to be upbeat, something that could not be said of Hiraku as he scrutinized both of them with a serious expression on his face.

 

On the one hand, this match gave him the rare opportunity to witness Hitomu's deck before seeing it the hard way. It had been some time since last Hiraku had dueled him, and if he was anywhere near being a player worth his salt then there's a good chance his deck would be very different than it was a year ago. Hiraku wished that he could have learned this sooner, but Hitomu only took spur of the moment challenges, and when Hiraku wasn't busy he wasn't about to just creep around the coffee shop waiting for someone to challenge him, or to hang around the duel arenas all day.

 

Other students milled in, one at least, in particular, with a very, almost obnoxiously upbeat attitude regarding the duel. He enthusiasm seemed to be directed to Hitomu, and as she exclaimed her excitement Hiraku's serious expression only seemed to darken.

 

Part of him was anxious for the duel to start and see what would happen, but part of him did not at all want to be there in that moment.
 

[Super Chaos Sonic]

 

 

"Stunned by my radiance I see. I do not blame you. Many in my home country are unable to speak when I am even in the room with them."

 

...is this woman for real? Souji thought, just blinking a few times at Gabriela, exhaling slowly. He knew what he wanted to answer with: "If that's what helps you sleep at night". However, he was trying to be nice and friendly at the moment, but he muttered it softly to himself, deciding to just ignore that whole comment from Gabriela. Seriously. Does she think she's really all that?

 

"Look guys, it's getting ready to start! Are you guys ready for this? It's gonna be all, ba bam! and kapow! And boing-oing! It's gonna be great!"

 

For what it was worth, Jun wasn't wrong. Between the two Duelists that this Duel was showcasing, Hitomu was on that showed off plenty and was of a higher caliber. His style was almost crazy enough not to work, but yet it did. And Souji knew all this from experience. His time as a Freshmen, he watched Hitomu Duel and while other Freshmen Duelists were actually intimidated by the young man, took the metaphoric bull by the horns and challenged him to a Duel.

 

Yeah...I never once for a second thought his Toons were going to be a problem for me and my HEROs... Souji thought, sitting up right in his chair as he shook his head slightly. Still, ever since that loss to him...I've sort of been using him as a goal line. That's the type of Duelist I want to aspire to become like, to be better than. Heh...maybe I might actually try and Duel him again sometime. Might be fun.

 

"Either way..." Souji finally spoke in response to Jun. "Seeing Hitomu Duel is always a sight to see. Definitely shows every single time why he's the captain of the Duel Team."

[King K. Azo]

 

"For once," Katsu said, breathing in through gritted teeth, "I, Katsu the Strong, agree with the meat-head," That was a lie. She's agreed with him before. "Mastering an art takes years of intense focus! Nobody can just learn multiple at the same time willy-nilly! And besides, there are several different Martial Arts tournaments, some with a fixed set of allowed styles, and others that allow freestyle. Blue Yonder had entered teams in both types of tournaments, and if we want to win them then we need to focus hard on what we do best! That's why we both have to speak to administration today, to stop them from merging our clubs! Isn't that right, Akira?" Katsu shot Akira a fierce glare, making him scratch his chin. That did happen, didn't it?
 
"Yes, I the Man Akira, remember now... let us, the Strong Duo---," Akira started, before Yushiro spoke up. 
 
"Hey guys, we should probably get going before it gets too late. I've got somewhere to be later, and I don't really wanna rush over there from coffeecards in the middle of drinks. Soooooooo lets get going, shall we? Still coming with, Kyouko?"
 
"Put a pin on that. We'll head out after the man Yushiro go rushing off for his card game," 
 
They headed to the store, and things seemed peaceful enough. There were drinks ordered, cookies bought, and conversation started.
 
"So wait, you and Katsu had a fistfight? What was that over?"
 
"The latest one?" Yeah, that seemed right somehow. 
 
"She has strength to her hits, but her technique was very sloppy, and from there did nothing to improve in that way, just focused on hitting harder and faster," Katsu said. Yeah, these two were friends for sure.  "I, Katsu the Strong, appreciate that you have made an effort to turn from those days, but forgive me if I don't lower my guard. Also what are you doing sitting in a booth, the duel is starting right away!" Oh yeah, that was a thing, wasn't it? 

"The woman Katsu has a point, you should probably get going before---," The man Akira never got to finish his sentence, as there was a cry, and a cup of hot chocolate flew through the air, spinning and spilling its contents... all over Kyouko.
 

 

Accidents Happen, Panic Ensues

 

Sai had stayed longer than he meant to. He found the atmosphere relaxing, and no one was bothering him, so that allowed him to put his sketchpad in good use and sketch up some new costume ideas. Sure, he was spending a bit of money to get more hot chocolate, but he figured it was worth it for the peace of mind he was getting.

As he walked back, getting his fourth cup of hot chocolate, humming to himself, he suddenly felt himself falling. Did he trip? Over what? What the hell did he trip over? Next thing he knew, he was on the ground and his hand was empty. He slowly stood back up, rubbing his neck, groaning a bit before he froze in his tracks. 
 
Kyouko Izumi was in front of him, covered in his hot chocolate.

He knew who she was, and her reputation around the school. In fact, she was basically number one on his 'avoid at all costs' list. Now he spilled his drink all over... he was going to die, wasn't he?

"I'm sorry!" He called out, bowing quickly. He only hoped he died quickly.