☄ ATTACK OF THE FILLER

[whiterosefoes]

[one day. ONE DAY AT HOME, WITHOUT RAMPAGING MONSTERS - was that so much to ask!?]

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[fluffydeathdealer]

[What a pain in the ass... he finally gets home, and then suddenly all of this happens. He wouldn't have minded the rampaging monsters much, usually. They were entertaining, and he was all for the world getting thrown into chaos, people screaming and dying and suffering... but it wasn't meant to happen yet, dammit! All of that stuff needed to hold off another few months at least while he finished the task he'd finally realized he needed to do. He needed a bodyguard or something, but where was he meant to get something like that?

Well. He had an idea. An idea that ha involved him taking every bit of spare money Ryou had, hopping aboard a plane and flying to England. England. A chilled wasteland that produced little of interest since the British Empire had dwindled to nothing. Really, he was surprised the planes were still running at all, but at least he'd managed to get there just fine.

The problem was where to go after that. The Ring only worked within a certain range, so finding the person he was looking for basically meant travelling up and down the entire expanse of the country. By the time he did find her, he wasn't in the best of moods, to say the least. That's why the knocking on her door was so loud and impatient. Knock knock, Harriet. He knows you're in there... now open the door like a good girl. Knock. Knock. KNOCK.

Dammit, did he need to break a window to get her attention?!]

[whiterosefoes]

[After all that searching, he may be dismayed to approach the building - it's a college dorm. Nicer than the one they met near, perhaps, but on the other hand the location seems to mitigate that, and especially the weather. At the very least, if he was fighting monsters all across England, he may find that this one spot is strangely peaceful.

Then again, considering who calls it home, it might not be strange at all. But Harriet's blade is clean for now, as her barrier seems to have worked.

At least, she thought it did, but those frantic knocks have her second-guessing. He needn't be too impatient. She assumes anyone knocking on her door in this time is a friend in need, and so she hurries to answer. Though, once she's opened the door, she's incredibly shocked by which.

Shocked speechless, in fact. Yes, she's happy to see him so soon, when at first it seemed impossible to tell if they were even from the same universe - but on the other hand. There are monsters everywhere, and Bakura is the only one she knew apart from herself to be able to summon them naturally in the modern age. If he's here.... if he's come all the way here, does that mean he knows something? (He better not have called them!!) And that's just on top of all the other questions she could usually ask about him finding where she lives, showing up unannounced, and god how would she introduce him to her normal friends?

But finally, she figures out how to express the sum of her feelings on this.]

........

Hullo, Bakura. Exactly how concerned should I be that you're here?

[fluffydeathdealer]

I can't believe you went from one crappy dorm to another one.

[Bakura's answer is... less than satisfactory, to say the least. His appearance probably isn't very reassuring to her either. His clothes are a mess, he's carrying a bulky-looking backpack slung over one shoulder, and thanks to his trekking, his shoes are stained red in places. Well, what was he going to do, go around the weakling idiots who'd gotten themselves killed? They didn't deserve to put him out of his way.]

Besides, is that any way to greet an old friend? And after I came all this way just to see you...

[whiterosefoes]

[That lack of an answer gets him a bit of rolled eyes - come on, man, it's not that easy to rebuild your life in reality! The important thing was living with her friends, anyway. But she won't bother defending it - someone like him would find it boring regardless. She shrugs.]

I said hullo, didn't I? [That's friendly enough!!]

Besides... it's the first time meeting you outside the cage, and there's blood in the air. You can hardly blame me.

[There are still monsters overhead, that she can't help but watch cautiously to see if they'll take aim at the dorms. This had always been Rosenkreuz's job... that she would have to do it in her own city stirs the bitterness in her heart just once.

If he does have something to do with it though, everything she'd want to deal with it would be inside. She'll invite him in wordlessly by opening the door wider.]

[fluffydeathdealer]

How suspicious! You're supposed to invite me in for tea and biscuits, aren't you? Not assume I have something to do with this!

[Well, someone's stereotyping. Though really, knowing him, it's sarcasm. At any rate, he doesn't seem too concerned about the monsters. The Ring isn't giving him any danger signals right now... though that doesn't mean anything. It doesn't mean a threat isn't there, just that it isn't a threat right now.

He strolls in past her, taking a look around. Hm. It's good enough. He sets his bag down on the floor and flops down on her couch. Phew... It's a relief to be done with that journey. Safe at last. She hasn't agreed to help him yet, but that's only a minor concern. He has no doubt he can persuade her.]

I swear I didn't do this.

[That's probably a good place to start.]

[whiterosefoes]

[She does take it for sarcasm, since she didn't assume, she asked - and also, she's never given him biscuits, per se. But he does look tired and ragged. If he had been behind this, one would think he'd give himself a more advantageous position.

She shuts the door and crosses back, perching on the couch's arm to look over at him while he takes up all the room.]

Don't get me wrong. I believe you. But, you and Malik were supposed to be the only other ones who knew how to summon them....

[She leaves out Eleanor because she isn't here; she can only hope that means she went back to her other home in the dark ages. Harriet, as she'd resolved, must continue to live in the present.]

What the hell is going on?

[fluffydeathdealer]

Beats me.

[Bakura sounds positively grouchy. This entire situation is a pain. Other than the entertainment value, it's nothing but an inconvenience. He stretches out, feeling the tension already starting to fade from his body. He's not surprised that Harriet was suspicious. Anyone would assume it was his fault. Malik was an ass when he wanted to be, but his interests had been purely selfish. Bakura was the one that had clouded motives and hidden desires, the one who hinted and teased but never really revealed what he was out for. Mostly it was because he didn't know, but... well, he was willing to do some pretty awful things in the name of something he didn't even remember. He doesn't really feel offended by it at all.

After a moment, he tilts his head to look over at her.]

Ryou was busy in the museum when it started. I didn't even notice until we had to go outside to get food. It was pretty annoying - though it was quite hilarious to see him running away from a dragon on those skinny little legs. Heheh.

[whiterosefoes]

You didn't notice.... a huge monster attack!?

[Yeah, he's getting a look. These things shook the earth, screamed through the air. It's not something a mere wall would suffice to hide, she thinks?]

What exactly were you doing in that museum?

[It must have been pretty intense, to take up that much attention. Museums aren't exactly loud places, though.]

[fluffydeathdealer]

We were in the basement. It's quite hard to hear anything down there.

[That isn't an answer, he knows. What might be a better one is the fact that he lazily points towards his bag. It's practically permission to go look, though all she'll find inside are a bunch of tools and a whole lot of bits of wood. Ryou's tools, in fact, if she's ever paid attention to his little modelling habit.]

We needed somewhere quiet to work. So I thought I'd come root you out.

[whiterosefoes]

"Quiet"... well, so far they haven't disturbed my barrier. I presume that's what you mean, I couldn't guarantee any actual silence.

[She's actually gathered quite a few people to the dorms. None have needed to take space in her own yet, but... there's still some outsiders that she's worried about. The thought that this place might be the safest in the world right now doesn't do much to calm her anxiousness.

Still, after a moments hesitance, she decides she might as well see what they are working on. Off the arm, down to unzip it. .... Aren't these craft supplies? If so, that's kind of absurd.]

Er... models? Is this really the time?

[No, Harriet, you're supposed to buy them time.]

[fluffydeathdealer]

Safety's all I want. Ryou needs time to get his work done, and I can't defend him without interrupting him.

[How the hell is he going to explain this one to her? He can't tell her the truth. There's no way she'll approve of it. Their deadline is probably going to be extended if he knows the Pharaoh and his little pet humans, but that doesn't mean they can afford any massive delays. The game will start whether he's ready or not. If he isn't... he'll lose by default.]

Why wouldn't it be the time? I'm not going off to try to save the world. That's the Pharaoh's job.

[whiterosefoes]

...Because of what you just said. You could be defending him instead of doing that, but you came to me. That means this.... game is for you.

[She gives him a long look, remembering a conversation long ago as she lets the bag's strap fall from her hand and straightens, standing.]

You told me quite a lot about the games you play, you know?

[fluffydeathdealer]

It doesn't matter who it's for.

[His retort is swift and irritable. Honestly, woman, why do you have to get so sharp-witted all of a sudden? No, actually, she was always somewhat sharp-witted... but of course, just like a woman, she has to get sharp-witted when he doesn't want her to.]

Tch. What harm can I do with a diorama, anyway?

The next night

[whiterosefoes]

[Everything seems to have gone peacefully since they've gotten settled. Ryou spent all day working on the diorama, and Harriet... she spent it making sure her friends were fine, and staying safe within the barrier. Now it's evening and she's watching a movie on TV, when the sound of wind picking up loudly catches her attention and she glances out the window.

To see a tornado tearing things up in the town.]

What the fuck-

[Launching out of her seat to scramble to the window to be sure her eyes aren't deceiving her.

THEY ARE IN ENGLAND. WHY IS THERE A TORNADO OF ALL THINGS.]

[fluffydeathdealer]

Huh-? What is it?

[Ryou sits upright from where he's slumped half-asleep over the piece he's working on. The wind seems to be pretty fierce. He wonders faintly if there's a storm, but that wouldn't invoke such a harsh reaction. Scrambling to his feet, he hurries over to take a look.

Hoooooly shit. That's a tornado. Ryou knows only one thing about tornadoes. You get to the goddamn basement if you want to survive them. At least that's what the movies say.]

Is there a basement in this place?!

[whiterosefoes]

No... We're on the bottom-most floor! Tornadoes never happen here, they don't-

[Wait, this is no time to be explaining things. She turns on her heel and looks into the dorm.]

There's nowhere to run that would be safe. We'll have to hide in the bathroom and hope for the best. Grab some pillows.

[fluffydeathdealer]

Right...

[Pillows? What good would they be? Ryou has no idea how long tornadoes can last or how dangerous they can be, but that thing out there looks pretty threatening. He hopes everyone's alright. Obediently, he rushes into the bedroom to grab the pillows off the beds, taking them into the bathroom and piling them somewhat neatly on the floor.]

Should we grab food?

[He has to raise his voice over the howling wind. That sound is getting louder by the minute.]

[whiterosefoes]

[The pillows are for ducking under in case something falls on their heads??! Look, it seemed like a good idea. ....Though on second thought, maybe she should just go into her armor and use the shield instead. But pillows would at least make crouching on tile more comfortable.]

It's coming too fast! Just duck!

[Annnnd she's pulling out Airknight before the wind gets strong enough to rip that thing out of her hand. Once the armor is transmuted, she'll hold the large shield in front of them.]

[fluffydeathdealer]

It's that dangerous?!

[Oh dear god help, he doesn't want to die in the bathroom pressed close to a girl! He crouches low, on one knee, cowering behind the shield. What even is this?! If they needed a magical shield to stay safe, how in the world did most people survive tornadoes?!

He grasps onto her arm without thinking, staying close to her.]

[whiterosefoes]

[Most people who survive tornadoes live in places where tornadoes actually happen!! So they can prepare to survive the tornado!!]

I dunno! It's better to be cautious!!

[She doesn't even pay much mind to the fact that he's holding her arm. This is a scary situation, who could blame him really.

There are now loud crashes outside the bathroom.]

[fluffydeathdealer]

Uwah-! [And now he's clinging. He's so sorry, Harriet, but this is scary as hell! He can handle all sorts of things, but this is a bit much. Tornadoes aren't entirely unheard of in Japan, but they don't show up often and he's certainly never seen one.

What even was that? It sounds like something heavy just broke. Probably her TV, he guesses.]

[whiterosefoes]

[Her poor TV. How will they have movie nights now? Smaller crashes ring out, which could be dishes or even the porcelain dolls. Harriet's afraid, but there's an exasperated despair as she tries to think of how much of her crap is being destroyed. Who knew a natural disaster would do more damage than monsters? Thanks for nothing, barrier!

Ryou clinging all over her is now a little awkward, but it's mostly because of how much bigger his body is.]

Oof-!

[But she'll squint and allow it, raising her shield a little more. It does cover them both better this way.

And a good thing too, because the wall just ripped open!]

Aaaagh!

[She's shrinking under her own shield, but it magically holds strong against the wind. The wings on her helmet are blowing around like crazy, though, and some debris is bouncing off of it.

... Wait, that's a Bakura figure.]

[fluffydeathdealer]

[Ryou lets out a low and somewhat girlish shriek of terror when the wall rips open. He expects them to be sucked right out or something, but instead the shield stays still, keeping them safe. His hair is being tugged around like a mad thing, whipping into Harriet's face as well as his own. He glances up at the little thud right before the tiny figure is pulled away, whisked off into the night as if it had been grabbed by the hand of some gigantic invisible being who thought it too much trouble to be left in the world of man. Quite fitting really. And of course it would be the spirit's figure that smacked into them. Even while he wasn't around, he was causing trouble!

The Ring is chiming like crazy too, but he's not sure how much of that is the wind and how much is the so-very-helpful sense of danger it seems to have. Thank you, Ring. He knows they're in danger.

He wonders how long they'll have to stay like this, huddled low behind the shield. Most of the pillows have already been pulled away from them by the force of the wind. He supposes they should have sat on them. Not that being in this level of danger on a comfortable floor would have been any better...]

[whiterosefoes]

[She totally sat on one, what do you think that earlier thought about comfort was about -- but bye, the rest of the pillows. The tornado does pull things into it, but it's mostly the wall itself - the rest is staying put. The two of them seem to be barely outside its edge. Well that's why she tried to get as far into the dorm as possible, but for it to have actually taken some of the wall in the first place is chilling. They can see the air shaking violently between their spot and the bedroom, barely looking like a tornado in the small space but a hell of flying objects. It seems like a miracle that the other apartment doesn't cave in on them from above. Whether they can tell or not, though, it's passing through now. In mere minutes, it will have passed. Though that time feels extremely slow, with how terrifying this is. Harriet's mind is paralyzed in fear, thinking only about maintaining the shield. ... Trying not to think about how if it weren't magic, it probably would have just flown away and taken her arm with it.

When it finally quiets down, she's just breathing heavily. That was almost scarier than fighting Manawyddan Fab Llyr... looking exhausted, she shifts her gaze to the clinging boy.]

A...Are you all right?

[fluffydeathdealer]

[By that point all thoughts of comfort are utterly gone. It's eerie, seeing that whirling dervish of inane objects, and knowing that the only thing preventing them from being pulled out too is Harriet's quick thinking and the presence of the shield.

He can't tell if the tornado's passing through or there to stay. It feels forever before he finally manages to tear his eyes away from it and huddle down low, not wanting to look. His arms are painfully tight around her, his eyes squeezed shut down, and like that he stays, listening to the whistle of the wind and the crash of the thing around them. It feels like he's forgotten how to breathe. It's not until he starts to get dizzy that he remembers that that's a thing, the air feeling too thin as he gasps to take it in.

How long does it take? He's got no idea. It feels like he's sat here forever, feeling the steady horror of the situation seep into his mind like a flood. By the time it fades, all thoughts of anything but the desperate hope that it'll end soon are gone. When she speaks, he jumps, opening his eyes. He doesn't hear the wind any more... is it gone?]

U-un... I- I thought that would never end.

[If it weren't for Harriet, he'd be dead... though if it weren't for the spirit he wouldn't have been in the path of a tornado to begin with, thank you, asshole. He brushes away the thought dazedly, not quite daring to move just yet. His legs seem to have locked into place anyway...]