[ 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.
[Permission had been given, so Loki reached out with his mental magic and his telepathy. There were no outward signs he was doing so. Nothing to clue Seto in.
It was easy to brush against the other's mind undetected. Child's play, honestly. But Loki would fix that in time. He looked at the glowing blue-wall. Serviceable, but not very solid or fixed yet.
He almost felt sorry for what he was going to do to Seto. The other'd end up with some quick and mild headpain behind his eyes from this.]
You did give me permission.
[The mental voice was different than when Loki had been possessed, but had echoes of it too. Loki's voice, all whispery and every changing. Reminder given, he then poked the shield. Hard. It should fizzle out like a light, with how weak it seemed. ]
You practice, for one. I've seen worse from those who should know better. Get used to how 'you' feel. Learn to know yourself so that you don't have to consciously think about who you are. Then start thinking about putting up that wall and keeping it up. Eventually you want it to be unconscious.
[Loki smirked a bit.]
And then we get into layers and how to make it stronger. I've been teaching Eilonwy as well, so she might have advice for you that I do not.
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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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[Loki had a quiet little smirk on his face.]
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[ He seems grimly determined. He has no illusions about his ability right now, but...first step. ]
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[Permission had been given, so Loki reached out with his mental magic and his telepathy. There were no outward signs he was doing so. Nothing to clue Seto in.
It was easy to brush against the other's mind undetected. Child's play, honestly. But Loki would fix that in time. He looked at the glowing blue-wall. Serviceable, but not very solid or fixed yet.
He almost felt sorry for what he was going to do to Seto. The other'd end up with some quick and mild headpain behind his eyes from this.]
You did give me permission.
[The mental voice was different than when Loki had been possessed, but had echoes of it too. Loki's voice, all whispery and every changing. Reminder given, he then poked the shield. Hard. It should fizzle out like a light, with how weak it seemed. ]
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[ He can hardly process what's happening. Seto blinks, feels a zap, and hears his voice like before.
He lifts a hand to his temple and winces. ]
Okay, I get the point. So how do I stop you?
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[Loki smirked a bit.]
And then we get into layers and how to make it stronger. I've been teaching Eilonwy as well, so she might have advice for you that I do not.
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[ He nods, still a little shaken. But he needs to work hard, like training any other muscle. ]
What all can you see of me? Do you have full access to my memories?
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the snail returns