week 4, sunday

[reapertoire]

[ After the execution, in which exactly two people died and nothing else weird happened, Kaiba will suddenly find himself in an alleyway behind the McDonald's!

Please don't question whether the McDonald's even had an alley behind it. Anyway, waiting for him like this is some kind of shitty drug deal is Max, holding a small case with eight pins in it.

... Just go with it? ]

Comments

[concertmaster]

If any change in my career path didn't involve permanent erasure, I'd have done it before I was ever stationed here. But fucking noted.

[blueeyeswaifudragon]

...Hm.

When people here go on about impressing the Composer enough to save "everyone," does that include you?

[concertmaster]

[he tilts his head a bit]

Ultimately, the Composer is the one with the power revive people.

[... but that's not a no.]

[blueeyeswaifudragon]

So it's theoretically as much in your best interests to learn the criteria to please them as ours. Or do you already know?

[concertmaster]

I already know. My role in this Game is kinda bullshit and complicated, but when it comes to the Composer, I am supposed to act as a support. Kinda helps to know what they want in that case.

[blueeyeswaifudragon]

And couldn't you be a more effective support by outsourcing some of those duties to others? You don't think we design all the tiny bits and pieces of this thing in-house, do you?

[ gestures with his duel disk ]

[concertmaster]

No, you send most of the work to China so a bunch of kids my age can build it for you.

[max now is not the time to talk about capitalism]

What do you want me to outsource, exactly? The part where I have to talk to you guys? Cause I'd gladly leave that to the dog.

[blueeyeswaifudragon]

Vietnam, actually; less government oversight, cheaper prices, better food.

Anyway, as much as I'm sure everyone would rather deal with a non-verbal beast for explanations throughout the week--and that isn't sarcasm--what I'm trying to get at is some way to start getting some concrete information on winning the real contest here without being hamstrung by your relationship with the Composer. Information on a true victory is the "king's treat" I was after.

[concertmaster]

That's fair. Fucked up, but fair.

[he just shrugs]

You could always ask the Composer yourself.

[blueeyeswaifudragon]

Oh, I just write a letter? Should I leave out milk and cookies by my stocking as well? I'm really hoping for a pony.

[concertmaster]

It's about bureaucracy, not about make-believe about the fat man in the sky.

[a beat]

And I think we both fucking know you'd rather have a dragon.

[blueeyeswaifudragon]

Even a make-believe sky bureaucrat isn't going to fit a dragon down my chimney.

But sure, why not? Any tips to keep out of the round file? If whatever message is just going to the secretary, I'd rather not waste too much effort.

[concertmaster]

Yeah, in this metaphor? I'm the secretary, jackass. And I'm starting like I might wanna lose your mail on purpose.

[blueeyeswaifudragon]

Isn't mail tampering a federal crime? Though not as much as a crime as being ten years old and stuck on the secretarial track. This is why they say to stay in school.

[concertmaster]

I'm not taking career advice from a guy who died playing card games aimed at children younger than me.

[blueeyeswaifudragon]

And yet you're the one scrambling as a lackey, while I have a space elevator.

[ it's so fuckin rad, which is definitely the part to focus on, not how his elevator and company and brother have probably ceased existing due to reasons including excessive death ]

--Anyway, you don't have to feel bad about your ignorance. I can show you how to play, even you should be able to pick it up quickly enough.

[concertmaster]

You don't have a space elevator here, genius.

[ but anyway. usually this would be met with a resounding no. and actually this is still a no, but. ]

How desperate are you to have anyone else learn how to play that game at this point? That's the only reason I can think why you'd offer to teach someone else to play, never mind me.

[blueeyeswaifudragon]

Why not you?

--Believe it or not, I do enjoy games for more than just the prospect of beating others at them, and I feel strongly that other people should, too. My Duel Links system isn't meant to sell cards, it's meant to reduce conflict and draw close the people of this planet. Whether played for fun or as competition, at their best, games can bring people from different backgrounds together, to clash in personal struggles, to fire the impetus to better oneself, to find dependable companions or bitter, trusted rivals and forge those relationships into something that truly matters in this world!

...Plus, you're right, you're in the target age group, and you've got the time.

[concertmaster]

[....................... oh my god]

Holy shit, just say you want to play with someone. I didn't need the entire backstory on your card game system.

[sighs]

Fine. I'll indulge you and learn your stupid card game. I set up my own gambling ring once, so I'm sure this won't be that hard.

[blueeyeswaifudragon]

[blueeyeswaifudragon]

...Heh.

[blueeyeswaifudragon]

As you wish, I'll prepare a master class in Duel Monsters by Seto Kaiba himself, the top-ranked duelist in the UG! Prepare yourself for the opportunity of a lifetime!

[ this is punctuated with a broad laugh that goes on just a tad longer than really necessary ]

[concertmaster]

... Wow. I immediately regret this decision.

[but he doesn't rescind! just. regrets]

[blueeyeswaifudragon]

[ to be fair, he probably should ]

...Now, if you want a Duel Disk of your own, I'll need some sort of workshop to build one. Of course, if you don't mind being hideously low-tech, all that's really necessary is a flat playing surface.

[concertmaster]

Which option annoys you more? Because I'm leaning that one.