[ Seto's faced a whirlwind of emotions since...all the mess. The confrontation had scared him in ways he couldn't quite describe. He knew Loki was no stranger to this kind of nonsense. How cruel.
But most importantly, he'd missed him. So he opened the door with the slightest smile. ]
[It didn't take long, and Loki was empty handed. But gave a smile that was only slightly tired.]
Better than I expected. But, as I said, I've been through worse in some ways. Though MY being under mind control was new.
[Stepping inside, and once the door was shut, Loki continued softly.]
It's not the first time I've had another in my head though. I swore never again if I have any say in it...
[Loki had had some say in it this time, but it hadn't been enough. Still, he'd fought it off until Sky had wounded him decently.]
Thank you again. And I'm very sorry. I hope I didn't hurt you. It was...like I was asleep. I wasn't really aware until I was free, so I don't actually know what I did to you all.
[Loki raised his hands in front of him while speaking, right fiddling with the left, and couldn't look at Kaiba right away.]
[That gets a small and slightly sad smile, but blue-green eyes meet Seto's own.]
I hadn't actually fully realized my relief when you all did free me, as part of me still thought perhaps no one would. That I'd deserve all of that, and to be used. It was a small part of me, but centuries of wounds and all that, you know.
[Making himself take a deep breath, and stop fidgeting by placing his hand over Kaiba's.]
I mostly am here to apologize, and check on you. Your household is well?
We're all right. The knight took Atem too...but he's safe now.
[ Seto smiles a little at Loki, and upon hearing about those old wounds...he steps forward and awkwardly pulls Loki into a half-hug with his free hand. ]
You don't deserve that. Never. Losing you for a little while made me realize how much I hated that state of affairs.
[Loki blinked in surprise at Seto initiating a hug, but smiled and hugged him back warmly. Holding it just enough that the other could tell he meant it, he understood, and he was grateful.]
I'm glad that I can be a good influence, and father-figure, for you. You deserve that.
[He was ready though, when Seto would break the hug, to let the other do so. The boy really had made amazing progress, and Loki was proud of him. And proud to have been an influence, hopefully in good ways, too.]
[ He's still a bit awkward about this, but Seto knows it's important to express his affection right now. He takes a moment to hold on tight before he pulls back. Still smiling. ]
Right, then. Guess I should ask what brings you here?
Well, for one--I have no idea when your birthday is. For another, even if I did--I wanted to get you something. To try and apologize for any harm I caused you.
[Once free, Loki gestured and a familiar looking briefcase appeared in one hand. Shifting, he opened it, and held it steady for Kaiba to see what it was fully. Loki had been a bit surprised himself, but this seemed to be better than a deck alone.]
It's at the end of October. Mokuba's and Atem's are coming up next month, so I've been saving for them.
[ Seto looks surprised to see the familiar object. Company logo embossed in the metal, matching his favorite coat. It's solid as ever, and inside, enough cards to create a number of decks. He trails his fingers along the edges, still not quite sure it's real. He's still smiling. ]
Someday when I open my game room, I'll be able to teach new duelists. And this case is actually bulletproof---I've had to use it as both weapon and shield before.
Maybe not, but I know what I'm capable of. And despite what some might think, I do have a set of ethics I follow. I don't think the Knight did--and I'm thankful that his control didn't also seem to know how to...well...use me properly.
Normally I'm more resistant to it myself. But you can learn, and I can teach you if you trust me to. Some of what you've been learning with how to manipulate your magic will help with the basics too.
[Loki reached out, placing a hand on the other's shoulder.]
It can be--a mind is like any other muscle. It can be overworked. But I meant more that I never want to hurt you, if I can help it, Seto. You've had too much of that in your short life already. You're part of my chosen family.
Very simply. It's going to be similar to you 'feeling' how your magic moves, except this won't be lightening. It's more you want to start focusing on 'you'. That is, how does your own energy feel. What makes up 'Seto', in your mind. Once you have a firm grasp of who 'you' are, in that sense--then you'll start imagining shields around it.
[ Seto closes his eyes as he thinks. There's his burning feelings....desire to strive for the best, fierce love of Mokuba, kinship with the pharaoh, a chosen family...But outside of his relationships, who is he.
He stands tall. He comes at his adversaries with ferocity. He never gives up, using the tools on hand...his mind chief among them. And he starts to fixate on all of that, trying to imagine a shield going up. ]
It's fuzzy...but I think I might have a first step.
It'll take time, so don't expect to master it instantly.
[But Loki also wanted to reassure Seto. Because he seemed more certain, in a hundred little postural cues, from what Loki could tell. It was a good first step.]
And practice. But that's what you want to focus on, for now.
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[ Seto's faced a whirlwind of emotions since...all the mess. The confrontation had scared him in ways he couldn't quite describe. He knew Loki was no stranger to this kind of nonsense. How cruel.
But most importantly, he'd missed him. So he opened the door with the slightest smile. ]
How are you holding up?
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Better than I expected. But, as I said, I've been through worse in some ways. Though MY being under mind control was new.
[Stepping inside, and once the door was shut, Loki continued softly.]
It's not the first time I've had another in my head though. I swore never again if I have any say in it...
[Loki had had some say in it this time, but it hadn't been enough. Still, he'd fought it off until Sky had wounded him decently.]
Thank you again. And I'm very sorry. I hope I didn't hurt you. It was...like I was asleep. I wasn't really aware until I was free, so I don't actually know what I did to you all.
[Loki raised his hands in front of him while speaking, right fiddling with the left, and couldn't look at Kaiba right away.]
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[ Seto listens patiently. He knows this must be difficult...it had been worrying, but they'd made it through. ]
The worst he did was get in my head and order me out of the way. That bothered me...but I was more worried about you.
[He steps closer and lays a hand on his arm, looking seriously up at him. ]
But we were never going to let him keep you. How foolish, to try to take you from us.
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I hadn't actually fully realized my relief when you all did free me, as part of me still thought perhaps no one would. That I'd deserve all of that, and to be used. It was a small part of me, but centuries of wounds and all that, you know.
[Making himself take a deep breath, and stop fidgeting by placing his hand over Kaiba's.]
I mostly am here to apologize, and check on you. Your household is well?
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[ Seto smiles a little at Loki, and upon hearing about those old wounds...he steps forward and awkwardly pulls Loki into a half-hug with his free hand. ]
You don't deserve that. Never. Losing you for a little while made me realize how much I hated that state of affairs.
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I'm glad that I can be a good influence, and father-figure, for you. You deserve that.
[He was ready though, when Seto would break the hug, to let the other do so. The boy really had made amazing progress, and Loki was proud of him. And proud to have been an influence, hopefully in good ways, too.]
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[ He's still a bit awkward about this, but Seto knows it's important to express his affection right now. He takes a moment to hold on tight before he pulls back. Still smiling. ]
Right, then. Guess I should ask what brings you here?
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[Once free, Loki gestured and a familiar looking briefcase appeared in one hand. Shifting, he opened it, and held it steady for Kaiba to see what it was fully. Loki had been a bit surprised himself, but this seemed to be better than a deck alone.]
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[ Seto looks surprised to see the familiar object. Company logo embossed in the metal, matching his favorite coat. It's solid as ever, and inside, enough cards to create a number of decks. He trails his fingers along the edges, still not quite sure it's real. He's still smiling. ]
Someday when I open my game room, I'll be able to teach new duelists. And this case is actually bulletproof---I've had to use it as both weapon and shield before.
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[Loki proceeded to close the briefcase and hand it to Seto. Then he conjured a second one, in a shimmer of green, as well.]
This one also contains cards--hopefully suitable enough to stand up to what's in your own.
[Offering that to Seto Kaiba too.]
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It means a lot. Seriously, thank you. But you didn't owe me anything, by the way. Wasn't your fault.
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[ Seto's expression darkens a little. ]
Actually, I was wondering about that. It seemed the rest of the group could resist mind control, and I couldn't. How do I get better at that?
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I'd really like that. I'd like to think we can be better prepared for each new trial.
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[Loki brought his hands up once more, right fidgeting with the left.]
I will have to...well, poke at you, a bit. To measure your progress. But especially in the beginning, you'll have warning that I'm going to do so.
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[ He takes a breath and smiles. ]
And it's fine. I know you won't seriously hurt me.
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[That was such an honest statement and had slipped out of Loki before he'd really thought about it.]
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I didn't mean to imply that. I just wasn't sure if mental battles are ever painful, like a headache or somethihng.
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It can be--a mind is like any other muscle. It can be overworked. But I meant more that I never want to hurt you, if I can help it, Seto. You've had too much of that in your short life already. You're part of my chosen family.
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[ A little wry smile. Life in the office...]
So how do we begin?
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[ Seto closes his eyes as he thinks. There's his burning feelings....desire to strive for the best, fierce love of Mokuba, kinship with the pharaoh, a chosen family...But outside of his relationships, who is he.
He stands tall. He comes at his adversaries with ferocity. He never gives up, using the tools on hand...his mind chief among them. And he starts to fixate on all of that, trying to imagine a shield going up. ]
It's fuzzy...but I think I might have a first step.
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[But Loki also wanted to reassure Seto. Because he seemed more certain, in a hundred little postural cues, from what Loki could tell. It was a good first step.]
And practice. But that's what you want to focus on, for now.
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Mm. So I should do that for a while, and then you'll test me? Or you could push me now...just so I know.
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the snail returns