victory_road | ANOMALY DETECTED

I can't really argue with you there... I thought they were sort of similar when I first arrived but-

Please don't tell me you're naming them after your cards. It's bad enough Atem named his damn freaky-eyed cat after Obelisk.

[Blinkblink.]

You've been to other worlds before? How? When?

I'm not naming 'dem at all. They've already got names! I'm sure der's more monstahs out there than I can name, and all them humanoid ones seem to be gone in dis place, but there's some of 'dem guys you can't even pretend aren't just Duel Monstahs. I'm gonna get my guys back, and we'll revolutionize da competitive circuit here!

[Joey forms a pumps his fist in the air again, snapping into another of his faces.]

[Marik just stares in disbelief. Gods, why does he make that ridiculous face.

Chen pops up a bit more from his hiding spot on Marik's shoulder, looking between the two. This guy doesn't seem so bad... Sure, he scared Marik at first but he's been friendly since then! And that's a good thing to him.

... Sigh. Might as well humor him.]

Right. So besides the... red guy, who all do you have so far?

I got a baby Fortress Whale! He's a lil' round boy right now, but I'll get'im beefed up in no time! The red guy's set to level up any day now doe', so we'll see his next stage before long.

Baby whale... A Wailmer?

[He really wants to know what the hell this red thing is but it might spoil Joey's fun if he finds it what it actually is.

Why is he going along with this.]

Hn. What if he didn't fit in with your current deck?

Nah he's good! I don't actually run Fortress Whale, but it was still one-a the first rare cahds I earned all by myself. He'll need a little moxie once he gets big, but he'll be good!

[He flashes a victory sign.]

Uhuh.

And those are your only two?

[He's not knocking him. He didn't have a lot of pokémon himself at first. Marik's just surprised. With as much of a go-getter as Joey is, one would think he'd have a whole bunch by now.

But if he's going the sentimental route, he supposes it makes sense that the other teen would be waiting for the right pokémon to appear.

Meanwhile Chen attempts to make a V sign with only three fingers. It doesn't go so well. Does he lower the first or the last?]

Fa' now at least. Most the monstahs I'm looking are further-in. You don't just throw any old monstah in your deck after all. Ya goes have da' right balance or ya might as well be shootin' blanks!

[Joey gets a devilish grin and nudges Marik with his elbow.]

Somethin' you and dose Rare Huntahs of yours coulda benefitted from eh Marik?

[Marik winces slightly from the nudge, half from the insult and half expecting Joey to jab him instead but... no. Just a nudge and a slap to his ego.]

... Y-Yeah. Something like that.

[He clears his throat.]

So you've already got your entire team picked out, it's just a matter of getting them? I could barely even grasp the concept of battling, let alone researching what was out there when I first arrived...

[Which raises a question he should be asking the others.]

... What year is it back home for you? You and Bakura look... different from the last time I saw either of you in Battle City.

[Not that he ever actually saw Ryou prior but he can still see there's a difference from what he remembers of the Ring Spirit.]

[Joey gives Marik a funny expression in response to seeing him whince, but answers his questions all the same.]

Of course I do! Duel Monstahs or not, dese Pokémon gotta lot in common with duelin' when it comes to strategy. I got a full team of bruisahs all picked-out, attacks and elements facta'd in and everythin'!

As for da' year. It's Summer a' 1998 back home. Yuug, me, and da' gang all graduated not too long ago and I been tryin' to step up my game as a pro duelist!

[He thumps his chest proudly as he finishes, but then looks back to Marik with a puzzled expression.]

So, uh, did you flinch when I nudged ya just now? You good man?

[That explains it. It's been over a year for them all to grow. He already knew Joey was resilient to begin with. Give him time and he'll steamroll through the competition. A pro Duelist though? That's impressive. Not that he actively wants to admit that.

So he just grunts in response to the first part. Totally not jealous that he didn't do that. He doesn't particularly want a different team though so maybe it's better he didn't go the Joey route.]

Really? Ehh... Congrats on graduating. That must be pretty exciting.

[That's the correct thing to say in response to that, right? With an uncertain smile. Really selling the confidence there, Marik.

And now his flinch is being called out. At least Joey didn't mention the fact that he dropped his drink in terror. He was looking forward to trying out peppermint mocha too... Sigh.]

I'm fine. My nerves are... just a tad on edge thanks to your little scare earlier, that's all.

Dat's my bad Marik. I didn't mean ta' make ya spill yer drink.

[He looks down at the mess that used to be Marik's beverage.]

You get it from someplace nearby? I'll grab ya a new one!

[Insert calebcity Cheese Internal Screaming.]

Nh... No, don't worry about it. It's not that important.

Dude!

[Joey exhales in an exaggerated fashion, pointing to the fact that his breath is visible.]

It's friggin' freezin' out here! A hot drink is worth it's weight in gold on days like dis'. It'd be totally bogus if I didn't getcha anotha!

[Joey has opened the floodgates. He's stopped complaining around Kaiba because he's beat the issue into the ground but now he has a new audience.

Marik also lets out an exaggerated sigh but less to show his breath and more just to sigh because uugghhh.]

Why is it so cold...?! Do you know the weather I'm used to? Eighty degrees and sunny! Why is it thirty? That shouldn't be allowed!

[The thought alone makes him shudder.]

Gghhh... Fine, yes. I'll take you up on that offer.

Edited 2022-11-29 13:31 (UTC)

Preachin' to the choir man! It was summah back in Domino, and now I'm duckin friggin' snowstohms!

[He shakes his head.]

I'da gotten caught right in da' middle of it if it weren't for that big forest too. It shouldn't be wintah coat weather, but here we ah'.

Your summer is balmy in Domino. I sort of wish I had stuck around after everything resolved so I could have enjoyed it more.

[Ah well. Probably for the best anyways.

Marik blinks.]

You were out during the storm? We all managed to make it to Ecruteak before it hit...

[Again, Joey hadn't of bothered asking for help on the network. What a madlad. Even Chen's eyes widen in surprise.]

Are you doing alright now? You said you've been here for a couple weeks so I assume you've got a place to stay? Is your coat warm enough for you to be riding around in?

[Joey bought some winter gear when the temperature really started to drop so, though it would still be in the street-clothed style he normally sports, he's prepared for the weather.]

I just crash on da' couches at the Pokémon Centah', but da' bike shop's plenty warm durin' da' day and so are most'a da stop so I stay toasty.

[He gestures towards his bike.]

Hop on da' pillions! We can ride double and getcha dat drink!

[Marik does not miss those days. Having an apartment, even though a bit crowded, has been fantastic for him. Of course once the weather's nice again, it's back on the road.]

Your adaptability is... impressive.

[He looks over at the bike again, trying to figure out how it'll actually support the two of them.

... There are worse fates than being carted around by Joey. He can feel like a spoiled Pharaoh for a bit. His loyal(?) subject, taking him to a café via bicycle and buying him a (replacement) drink. Yes, yes. This feeds his ego nicely.

Joey can probably see the Egyptian puff up slightly as he very poorly attempts to hide a smirk.]

If you're sure.

[Because he's sure.

Forgetting that he left the drink, Marik goes to climb on to his chariot while Chen hops off of him, grabs the cup, and properly disposes of it like a good Samaritan. Then floats back over and hangs on to his trainer's shoulder who mutters a quiet "thank you."

Ahem.]

... The café is a few blocks down and to the left.

Edited 2022-11-29 20:40 (UTC)

[Joey looks back at Marik to ensure he's well aboard, and gives him a thumbs-up.]

Hang on 'den! Here we go!

[Flicking-up the kickstand with his foot, Joey presses into the pedals with a thunderous force. The bike lurches forward and gets up to speed with alarming speed, zooming down the roadways with a momentum akin to that of a motor vehicle. The already cold weather feels like blades of air as the bike's speed turns the still air into a whipping wind and, by the time it reaches the corner, it feels like it should be leaving a vapor trail.]

[Marik utters a cackle but it's short lived as they get up to speed and he has to legitimately hold on to Joey. His furcoat was not made to be worn while zooming around outside in frigid temperatures.

As he adjusts to the speed and the other teen's movements, he can't help but grin like an idiot as he leans slightly over Joey. It's less steady, which is to be expected since you need to actually pedal, but it does remind him a lot of the few times he was actually able to drive his motorcycle.

Yes, this well than makes up for the earlier scare. What a wonderful turn of events! Even Chen's enjoying himself.

Marik holds on with one hand and leans over a bit more to point with the other at their destination a little ahead. (As if the furcoat wasn't boujee enough, he's even got a couple of gold rings on. Who dressed this child.)]

There it is!

[Right as Marik starts to get into the ride the corner hits. Tapping the brake, Joey sends the bike into a drift and kicking off enough g-force to give his passenger a heart attack.]

Hang on!

[He grins as the bike swerves around the corner.]

[He was definitely not prepared for that and ends up having to wrap his arms around Joey's neck as not to fall off. If he were the one driving, this would be way better! ~~Is this how it feels to be his passenger on his motorcycle?~~ Bicycles were not made to drift or go at these speeds!]

W-we're going to crash!

[Joey looks back ever-so-slightly in response to Marik's protestations.]

No we're not ya fradey cat!

[As suddenly as the drift had begun, the bike righted and they were back to zooming straight-ahead once again. Within moments of having rounded the corner, though, Joey squeezed down on the brakes and brought the bike to a stop.]

Dis' it?

[The bike had stopped in front of a brightly-lit coffee shop and, now that things were still again, everything seemed infinitely warmer than it had with the dervish of wind the bikes speed had subjected its riders to.]

[He will never ever admit that, despite him being terrified, Joey's driving is honestly pretty fun to be a passenger to. Once they've arrived, Marik slowly lets go of Joey with a huff and hops off the bike. There's very quiet clapping coming from Chen. That was fun!]

Yes, this is it.

[He rubs his cheek, trying to warm them up from the wind, then ruffles his hair to... make it just as messy as it was before except it's no longer blown back.]

Hm. Thanks for the lift.

[Marik waits until Joey's set the bike somewhere then holds the door open for him.]

You want anything or are you just treating me?

[Let it be the latter so he can feel special.

Or shoot it down because look at that smug knifecat smirk.]

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