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[denyamenti]

I'm starting to think these World Turtles have a fascination with using people's souls as cosmic currency in some way or another.

[ Someone's grouchier than usual today. And apparently uncaring about the hypocrisy of him presenting this particular argument. ]

That's the only reason I can think of for why they're continually attaching ours to some kind of tangible reminder: first lanterns, then jewels, now being marked like a gods-damned heifer at market.

At least no one should be able to swallow these tattoos, unlike the gems-- and before anyone asks, yes, that's a thing someone tried once.

Comments

[annihilist]

Ah, the dojo owner. [Yet another familiar face. This one is hard to miss, although Devin sounds a little bored. He's not in the mood to be social, but he's still taking distraction where he can get it.]

Using souls as currency isn't exactly a new concept, so it's certainly possible. I've found there's usually more screaming and signing things in blood, however.

[denyamenti]

[ He's been identified as much worse than that before lol ]

You only have to sign things if you ask first.

[annihilist]

I did say 'usually'. Every world is different, I'm sure.

[And Bakura seems remarkably unperturbed by this topic of discussion, which is intriguing although not reassuring. Good thing he doesn't have a soul to steal?]

Complaining about it hasn't helped anyone with this problem before, from what I've seen.

[denyamenti]

[ Is that a challenge, Devin? Bakura's never been one to limit soul-stealing to the conventional definition of. ]

Like that would stop half of them.

[ He remembers when Kaiba arrived, that was the funniest thing he'd seen in a while. ]

[annihilist]

[He may regret that theft to a significant degree, if he attempts it.]

You included, apparently. Mind you, I have complaints myself, but airing them publicly seems less than productive.

[denyamenti]

Griping about the method is hardly the same.

[annihilist]

No, although there's not much to be done about that, either, unless you'd like to volunteer as a guinea pig for tattoo removal.

[Devin is probably teasing.]

[denyamenti]

Surely you can find someone more gullible to try that line on.

[annihilist]

Almost certainly, but where's the challenge in that?

[denyamenti]

Little, I expect.

So what now, for you? Off to go sword shopping like your first time around?

[annihilist]

That would require I have a sparring partner who could keep up with me. [Valdis could probably kick his ass like Kratos did, but their circumstances were not ideal for bandying sharp things at each other at the moment.] Maybe eventually. I'll probably get back to memorizing the city layout, and theoretically we're supposed to find jobs.

[denyamenti]

If I'd known you were so needy for something to swing at, I'd have offered you a summoned Warrior-type ages ago.

[ Bakura makes a face at the idea of getting a job; someone's gotten used to the relative ease of having his own business essentially run itself. ]

[annihilist]

[Devin looks slightly confused, though not by the ambiguous phrasing.] I assume your generous offer is referring to some kind of magic. How fast are they?

[Interest: piqued.]

[denyamenti]

[ Bakura offers him a sly smile. ]

Oh? You didn't pay any attention to the kedans' stories, then. That I call up monsters to terrorize the ones who displease me? Why do you think I didn't have any trouble leaving the dojo unattended for hours at a time?

Different ones are built for different attributes. Some are strong, some fast, some take more hits than you'd think they could.

[annihilist]

I didn't make a habit of socializing. I also didn't visit your dojo much, if you recall. It seems I've missed some important details.

[That explanation is a little concerning from a tactical level. Devin and Bakura don't know each other that well yet, and if they ever came to blows there was no telling what the thief could bring to bear.]

So, you're a man of many talents. I can't say I'm surprised.

[denyamenti]

Neither do I, but you haven't started gibbering at the walls yet, so you must have found someone to converse with for all these months.

[ he shrugs ]

I am what I am.

[annihilist]

I did, although I've spent enough time alone that gibbering at the walls is unlikely.

[As long as he has books, really. The latter comment gives him pause; he's heard someone say that at home, recently. He'd rather not have the reminder.]

I can't decide whether you're just that self-aware or just that arrogant.

[denyamenti]

[ Bakura just shrugs, as if to say he doesn't particularly care which conclusion Devin comes to with regards to that. ]

The offer's there, either way. It'd have to be somewhere with some room, that's all.

[annihilist]

[The answer is probably that Bakura is both, which is fine.]

I'd have insisted on room anyway. I can do close-quarter combat, but it's much messier. [A beat.] I may take you up on that, depending on how things go here.

[denyamenti]

I shouldn't be hard to find.