Domino City Duel Academy

"Don't get too cocky. I could have torn you from your world just as easily as last time if I wanted." Yoko asserts. "I just decided to be a little more polite. After all, I didn't know you had a good reason for banishing my sister the first time we spoke."

"It doesn't matter." The kitsune brushes aside Julia's second statement. "The arrangement is this: I get to live in your world again, and you will be my anchor. If you decide to banish me, kill me, and so on, then the war with the Nekroz resumes. Simple." Yoko appears behind the professor, the Mayakashi's voice inches away from Julia's back. "The fates of hundreds rest on your shoulders..." The historian can practically feels Yoko's smile.

 

"Well, I already have a maid. You can certainly cook, so I guess you fit that job description. Can you drive?" He shakes his head. "Not that, if that's what you're thinking. Not until you're free. Besides, I've never paid for it in my life." He declares as he switches to push ups.

 

"I can drive, but I don't have a car here in Japan. Do you know how to drive?" Destiny answers and asks. "That's not what I meant!" Embarrassed, she grows slightly red. "...Not that I'm opposed to the idea" The woman adds under her breath.

 

"I'm unsure if that's possible, even if you did threaten me for it. While it's true, I can handle duel spirits pretty well and I know now you can break and remake links, I'm not sure how well anyone could hold multiple important links. On top of that, it's hard to imagine we really possess a strong level of affinity for each other. But....I suppose we both don't have any better options either, now do we?"

 

"Hmhm~" Yoko giggles. "You don't quite understand. I won't be staying here and watching through a card, Julia. I will be there. In the mortal realm. For the first time in ages." She breaks out into cackling laughter. "It will be such fun!" Her white and red mask contorts as if laughing along with the kitsune. "And you can't get rid of me without killing all your Nekroz!"

 

“I see. I guess then that’s what we’ll have to deal with, but I won’t protect you from your own consequences. If you must go the mortal world, so be it, but since you still need me to exist there, I have terms too in which I will not be required to engage on anything on your behalf that I do not agree to.”

 

"True. Then again, maybe that's just where they were discovered. Who knows, maybe people, monsters, and gods liked to travel all over the world in the past." Felicia shrugs as she replies. "That may be so, have you tried asking him?" She smirks, "I mean, he may not be on the level of greatness as gods. But he was still interesting enough to be portrayed in the game. That has to mean something."

 

"In a manner of speaking..." Adam cringes as he remembers winning a gangster's sports car in an underground game - and then proceeding to crash it into a wall. And Julia will never let it go. Still, I'm lucky she took care of my cuts and didn't tell my parents. "...No, no I don't." Adam looks at the girl as he does his squats. "Hey, think of it like this - if you still want to do it later on, the anticipation will make it better." Removing his sweaty clothes, he tosses them to the girl. "Put those in the laundry basket, would you? I'm gonna take a shower."

Clad in a towel, he emerges sometime later. "Hey, I have to meet someone later." He tells Destiny. "I'm not expecting trouble, but if I don't come home tonight and I don't call, would you mind telling Julia? You remember her from the...well, the night I nearly killed you." He tells her the meeting's location.

 

"Oh, so you want to add to the accord? Usually, I do not like being so tightly bound by words." The kitsune's mask smirks. "But I might be convinced to make an exception."

 

"Well, we could always do it the simple way. In the human world, after we manifest, we duel to determine who gets the better end of the deal. You're not your sister, so what do you have to fear from a mortal?" That would be obvious goading that she would pick up on right away, but Julia smirked. "Of course, it looking like you were outsmarted by a human or too afraid that you could actually lose to one, would be awfully embarrassing to other spirits."

 

"Maybe." Samir nods, finishing his tea. "Is he a mythological or historical figure too? I didn't know that." He gives Felicia a wounded look. "Assuming you aren't trying and failing to insult my heritage."

Spoiler: Perception Roll

56+20(Perceptive)=76 success

The man didn't seem to actually take offense--he's simply keeping up the bantering rapport they've established.

 

"Yes, sir!" Destiny mock salutes, catching the clothes before making her way to the basket to deposit them. She makes no effort to conceal the way she stares at the young man's crafted physique.
-----
"Which one was she? Not the one with the sword or the girl with the scars. One of the two professors, right? Did she have white hair or more of a purple?" Destiny asks, trying to puzzle out which of the women is Julia.

 

Yoko's mask contorts into a demonic grin. "If you wish to duel, mortal, then we will duel here and now." She whispers, her warm breath hitting the back of Julia's neck. "If I win, you will not take any actions against me, my fun, or any other things I see fit. If you win, you can set rules and I'll follow them. Either way, I get what I want."

 

"Very well. The duel will be through the use of dueling monsters and outside intervention or intentional action not allowed within the rules taken by players to skew the outcome in their favor is forbidden, and only permissible in enforcement of rulings. Both parties agree to uphold the intent and spirit of rules and not engage in loopholes or outcomes.." Julia chose her words carefully. While it would put her at a possible disadvantage, she needed to outline circumstances where Yoko's considerable power wouldn't be used in a way that could help her cheat or throw things in her favor.

 

"Oh, right - I keep forgetting we only just met." He calls from the shower. "Julia is the one with purple hair - Julia Meri. I will give her your number before I leave." Adam says, eyes closed as he washes his hair.

 

"No, no, I meant no offense. I just mean how you're both basically fighting together in duels, even if it's just for fun. A battle is still a battle. Maybe, just maybe trying to engage in conversation can help keep you calm, even in tense situations that seem hopeless." Felicia replied, speaking in a solemn tone that implies she's speaking from experience. "Also, didn't one of the greatest duelists say how you should believe in the heart of the cards?" She then giggles.

 

"You're no fun." Still, the demon's mask smiles. "I will not intentionally interfere with the rules of the duel. I cannot speak for others, but I will discourage them if they attempt to interfere." She vanishes, reappearing on the other side of the grassy clearing. "Well? Produce your summoning tools, mortal." The kistune waits impatiently. "I have somewhere to be."

 

"Okay!" Destiny shouts in return.
The shower feels rejuvenating. Just what Adam needs after that light exercise.

[Feel free to skip ahead as far as you like.]

 

"Maybe I'll try it." The charismatic young man's reply is noncommittal. "There's a difference between believing in the cards and talking to them, you know." Samir smiles. "Are you ready to go? I'll cover our bill." He stands, moving to the counter and paying the waiter for their dinner.

 

After drying and styling his hair, Adam dresses, leaving the number, before heading into Domino City and to his meeting.