[kaiba still seems awfully put out. or maybe that's just his default expression. regardless, he looks away too, realizing he's just as guilty.]
I never said it was easy. Honestly, I can't say I care that much about myself either. I have to keep it up for appearances, and there's no question that I'm the richest, smartest, most talented man in this world or any other and it's not even a contest, but...
[his fingers drum on the counter. nervous, tentative, almost frenetic.]
Someone told me a long time ago I wouldn't amount to anything. And I guess it kinda stuck with me, strange as that sounds.
[ Glancing back at him, she reaches over to place a hand over his nervous one again, shaking her head. ]
Whoever told you that was dead wrong. You just said it yourself, you're the richest, smartest, and most talented man in this world and any other without any shadow of a doubt. But you should care about yourself too, right? It doesn't sound strange, I've had people say stuff like that to me, too. Which makes it all the better when you prove them wrong and force everyone who agreed with them to watch as you rub it into their faces.
[ Giving his hand a gentle squeeze, she lets it go, wanting him to have his freedom if he so desires it. ]
Anyways, whoever said that can get bent. You definitely have people who love and care about you, especially here.
[kaiba scoffs at the memory, expression turning a bit twisted.]
He got bent, all right. Tripped and fell out a twenty story window.
[and he can't help but think back to that nightmare, what ann told him: that people get what they deserve.
belatedly he remembers that this was supposed to be celebration, not an opportunity to grumble and grouse, so he gets up and slips behind the counter to rummage for something. a minute or two later, he pulls out a crepe from one of the windows -- strawberry, of course -- and sets it on a plate for ann to enjoy.]
Here. Sorry I'm out of candles, so you'll have to use your imagination.
[somewhat softer, he notes:]
Happy birthday to you too, Carmen. Thanks for looking after Ann.
[ She's got very little sympathy for the man who tried to drag Kaiba down, thanks. What she does want to know, however -- why is Seto down here and not him? In the big scheme of things it's for the best, probably. Oil and water don't mix real well, after all.
She blinks as he suddenly stands up, and her head tips to the side until he reveals the culinary delight that is the strawberry crepe, and she visibly lights up. She's a sucker for sweets, and he knows damn well that this one happens to be her absolute favorite. ]
Wow! Thanks, you didn't have to do that! Have I told you lately how you're the absolute best? Because if I haven't, I'm telling you now~
[ Because yes, the way to this girl's heart is cute things and crepes, both of which Kaiba has nailed. Good job, sir! ]
I'm really lucky to have Carmen, it's true. It's weird, she's been with me my whole life, but I didn't even really know it until a year and a half ago.
[ Carmen thrives on chaos and the thrill of battle and the rebellion she was born from. It also feels like she's somehow getting stronger, even outside of battle situations, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, either. ]
Blue Eyes is both beautiful and powerful, too! I'm glad you've had her. It is a little hard, yeah, but also... it's comforting, right? Even if we can't always see them, they're there. You're never quite alone.
[he doesn't talk about it a whole lot, partially because people wouldn't understand but also because it was a touchy subject. it was a weak spot, a point of vulnerability, much like his brother. blue-eyes was built for battle, same as carmen, but she was so much more than that. she was a dragon, a woman. and now an adorable little whelp under his care.
you're never quite alone, she says. and she says it so easily, despite being ostracized. an outcast who couldn't even care about herself.]
You don't think you're the same? Beautiful and powerful?
[of course not. but he brings it up anyway to underscore his claim, that she was someone worth caring about.]
[ The fact that the human woman, Kisara, is the actual incarnation of the Blue Eyes is amazing. It's unfortunate that she's here, of course, but for Kaiba's sake... maybe it was comforting to an extent. She's only spoken to the woman a small handful of times but she seems like a kind, quiet soul. Unlike the Blue Eyes, which is big and bold and powerful and all attention commanding. The contrast is perfect, really. ]
[nope, too late. he found a metaphor he likes and he's sticking with it. complete with ridiculously over-the-top hand gestures, waving his claws like paws. because only ann takamaki can get him to act like a complete dork. or rather act like an actual human being with an actual sense of humor who actually knows how to enjoy himself.]
Beautiful, powerful, deadly. Just like a panther, lurking in the dark.
[wow seto. so flattering. much compliment, very praise.]
But like, a really, really clumsy one. So more of a big kitty. A kitty who can set things on fire.
[ Wow. What the fuck even is this. She watches all of his movements wearily, and for a split second, that sounds sincere. Huh. Maybe the moniker 'Panther' wasn't a bad choice after all. Certainly better than 'Sexy Cat' like the boys wanted. ]
Wow, you really think so--
[ Nope. The other shoe falls, and she's not even offended. She snorts into her tea, the MOST ladylike here, before she sits up straight, trying not to choke to death on her own delicious drink. ]
Sssssoooo a derpy fire cat, huh? I can't... I can't even argue with that.
...Actually, I didn't think about that. That sounds a whole lot better than using you as a chair or a pillow, now that I think about it.
[ Well, maybe not hacking up hairballs all over the carpet but whatever. It doesn't matter. ]
And not just your stuff. I've now been given permission to sit on whoever I want and knock everyone else's things around too. It's all fair game now and it's all your fault.
On you, dragon-kun. Directly on your back. At the most inconvenient times.
[ FRIENDZONED-- ]
Of course, if you're inviting me to sleep with you, that means I have to come into your room at like three am and run around and knock every last thing down and maybe run over you like ten times too. For good measure.
[definitely stuck in the friendzone. but he's more than okay with that too.]
Yeah, yeah. Whatever you say.
[kaiba starts cleaning up the counter, unwittingly falling into the role of wage slave. which would've been unthinkable, once upon a time. once upon a time, he paid good money for good coffee, brewed by some poor intern that he pressed into service and often fired on the spot. but he can't find the heart to complain about it. or fire this awful woman.]
Was it a good birthday?
[he shouldn't care about it. or about her. or about himself. but now he finds that he kind of wants to try.]
Just you wait and see. I'm taking that as an open invitation to break into your room and crawl into bed with you whenever I feel like.
[ She won't. Probably. But even as he starts to clean up, she quickly follows suit after finishing her crepe, not wanting him to have to bear the brunt of cleaning up everything. Besides, it's the least she can do for such a sweet surprise. ]
It was the best birthday!
[ She thinks it was, at least, as she wipes down the counter. And other than Shiho... ]
I couldn't think of anyone else I'd have rather spent it with, so thank you!
[between the two of them, it doesn't take too long to clean up. and after doing so, he offers his arm to the birthday girl, like the finest gentleman.]
C'mon. I'll walk you back and put you to bed. Your bed, I might add. Which is where you'll stay.
[ Happily, Ann gently loops her arm through the one he offers, practically vibrating with how happy she is. And it's all because of him. ]
Okay! Hey, if you want, you could spend the night. I found Sprinkles finally after all of the drama, I'll bet she'd be super happy to see you! My living space sucks compared to yours, but we could probably make it work. If you wanted to.
[ At least she's not a liar, right? What she is, though, is overly pleased right now. Any time spent with poor Kaiba is a good time other than That One Time that Involved Murder™ ]
Please~? You could even teach me that card game of yours. Er, you could at least try. No guarantees that I'll catch on, I think we're both aware that I'm not exactly a mental giant.
[maybe, just maybe, he's having a good time too. but he lets that chillier facade slip back into place, even if there's no denying a certain lightness to his step.]
It's not really any different from any other game. You can get ultra competitive or just pick up and play for fun.
[three guesses what kind of player he happened to be. and while he ordinarily would boast and brag and insist that he has no time for amateurs... well, obviously that wasn't true. at his heart, he was a gamer, a man who loved to play them as well as sell them. even if he didn't have a lot of time for casual bouts back home.]
And that might be true, but you should still give yourself a little more credit. I wouldn't hang out with a total bimbo.
[...wait, did he just admit to hanging out? oops.]
[ She knows he must be ridiculously competitive because he's definitely an alpha. Everything about him screams it, always has and always will. ]
I tried to play poker once. My friends wouldn't let me...
[ Mostly because some serious shit was on the line and they called her out for being stupid but THAT'S NOT THE POINT. ]
Aww, that's really nice of you to say. You sure about that, though?
[ He SURE DID and Ann Will Remember That™, Seto Kaiba. An elephant never forgets. Even if they've already established she's not an elephant but a stupid cat. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2021-11-14 03:35 am (UTC)[ If she lies and says okay, that'll make everything better. And she'll at least make an attempt. ]
Thank you for caring, by the way. It does mean a lot.
no subject
Date: 2021-11-14 03:52 am (UTC)I never said it was easy. Honestly, I can't say I care that much about myself either. I have to keep it up for appearances, and there's no question that I'm the richest, smartest, most talented man in this world or any other and it's not even a contest, but...
[his fingers drum on the counter. nervous, tentative, almost frenetic.]
Someone told me a long time ago I wouldn't amount to anything. And I guess it kinda stuck with me, strange as that sounds.
no subject
Date: 2021-11-14 08:19 am (UTC)Whoever told you that was dead wrong. You just said it yourself, you're the richest, smartest, and most talented man in this world and any other without any shadow of a doubt. But you should care about yourself too, right? It doesn't sound strange, I've had people say stuff like that to me, too. Which makes it all the better when you prove them wrong and force everyone who agreed with them to watch as you rub it into their faces.
[ Giving his hand a gentle squeeze, she lets it go, wanting him to have his freedom if he so desires it. ]
Anyways, whoever said that can get bent. You definitely have people who love and care about you, especially here.
no subject
Date: 2021-11-14 05:57 pm (UTC)He got bent, all right. Tripped and fell out a twenty story window.
[and he can't help but think back to that nightmare, what ann told him: that people get what they deserve.
belatedly he remembers that this was supposed to be celebration, not an opportunity to grumble and grouse, so he gets up and slips behind the counter to rummage for something. a minute or two later, he pulls out a crepe from one of the windows -- strawberry, of course -- and sets it on a plate for ann to enjoy.]
Here. Sorry I'm out of candles, so you'll have to use your imagination.
[somewhat softer, he notes:]
Happy birthday to you too, Carmen. Thanks for looking after Ann.
no subject
Date: 2021-11-14 06:20 pm (UTC)[ She's got very little sympathy for the man who tried to drag Kaiba down, thanks. What she does want to know, however -- why is Seto down here and not him? In the big scheme of things it's for the best, probably. Oil and water don't mix real well, after all.
She blinks as he suddenly stands up, and her head tips to the side until he reveals the culinary delight that is the strawberry crepe, and she visibly lights up. She's a sucker for sweets, and he knows damn well that this one happens to be her absolute favorite. ]
Wow! Thanks, you didn't have to do that! Have I told you lately how you're the absolute best? Because if I haven't, I'm telling you now~
[ Because yes, the way to this girl's heart is cute things and crepes, both of which Kaiba has nailed. Good job, sir! ]
I'm really lucky to have Carmen, it's true. It's weird, she's been with me my whole life, but I didn't even really know it until a year and a half ago.
no subject
Date: 2021-11-14 06:58 pm (UTC)[a really, really violent one. but an angel all the same. and he can't help but smile at the thought of it.]
Blue-Eyes has always been with me too. Funny how that works, kinda hard to wrap your head around... but I guess it's just what we deserve.
no subject
Date: 2021-11-14 07:13 pm (UTC)Blue Eyes is both beautiful and powerful, too! I'm glad you've had her. It is a little hard, yeah, but also... it's comforting, right? Even if we can't always see them, they're there. You're never quite alone.
no subject
Date: 2021-11-14 07:26 pm (UTC)[he doesn't talk about it a whole lot, partially because people wouldn't understand but also because it was a touchy subject. it was a weak spot, a point of vulnerability, much like his brother. blue-eyes was built for battle, same as carmen, but she was so much more than that. she was a dragon, a woman. and now an adorable little whelp under his care.
you're never quite alone, she says. and she says it so easily, despite being ostracized. an outcast who couldn't even care about herself.]
You don't think you're the same? Beautiful and powerful?
[of course not. but he brings it up anyway to underscore his claim, that she was someone worth caring about.]
no subject
Date: 2021-11-14 07:45 pm (UTC)[ The fact that the human woman, Kisara, is the actual incarnation of the Blue Eyes is amazing. It's unfortunate that she's here, of course, but for Kaiba's sake... maybe it was comforting to an extent. She's only spoken to the woman a small handful of times but she seems like a kind, quiet soul. Unlike the Blue Eyes, which is big and bold and powerful and all attention commanding. The contrast is perfect, really. ]
Me? Hell no. I'm just me, and I'm okay with that.
no subject
Date: 2021-11-14 07:52 pm (UTC)Beautiful, powerful, deadly. Just like a panther, lurking in the dark.
[wow seto. so flattering. much compliment, very praise.]
But like, a really, really clumsy one. So more of a big kitty. A kitty who can set things on fire.
no subject
Date: 2021-11-14 08:08 pm (UTC)Wow, you really think so--
[ Nope. The other shoe falls, and she's not even offended. She snorts into her tea, the MOST ladylike here, before she sits up straight, trying not to choke to death on her own delicious drink. ]
Sssssoooo a derpy fire cat, huh? I can't... I can't even argue with that.
no subject
Date: 2021-11-14 08:20 pm (UTC)[he offers what's left of his coffee in a mock toast.]
But I think I'm okay with that. If you're okay with a handsome, regal, majestic dragon leading the way, that is.
no subject
Date: 2021-11-14 08:31 pm (UTC)[ She lifts her glass and lightly clinks it against his, and unfortunately for Seto, she's looking real amused again. ]
Cats are good for being lazy. And laying around on things. And since you're a big, handsome, regal, majestic dragon, you wouldn't mind, right~?
[ Go on, Seto. Answer that, why don't you... ]
no subject
Date: 2021-11-14 08:41 pm (UTC)[look. he answered. although maybe he shouldn't have. he really hates this "having friends" thing.]
no subject
Date: 2021-11-14 08:44 pm (UTC)[ Well, maybe not hacking up hairballs all over the carpet but whatever. It doesn't matter. ]
And not just your stuff. I've now been given permission to sit on whoever I want and knock everyone else's things around too. It's all fair game now and it's all your fault.
no subject
Date: 2021-11-14 08:48 pm (UTC)[or both. maybe neither. but he's feeling just playful enough to tease.]
no subject
Date: 2021-11-14 08:52 pm (UTC)[ FRIENDZONED-- ]
Of course, if you're inviting me to sleep with you, that means I have to come into your room at like three am and run around and knock every last thing down and maybe run over you like ten times too. For good measure.
no subject
Date: 2021-11-14 09:05 pm (UTC)Yeah, yeah. Whatever you say.
[kaiba starts cleaning up the counter, unwittingly falling into the role of wage slave. which would've been unthinkable, once upon a time. once upon a time, he paid good money for good coffee, brewed by some poor intern that he pressed into service and often fired on the spot. but he can't find the heart to complain about it. or fire this awful woman.]
Was it a good birthday?
[he shouldn't care about it. or about her. or about himself. but now he finds that he kind of wants to try.]
no subject
Date: 2021-11-15 12:02 am (UTC)[ She won't. Probably. But even as he starts to clean up, she quickly follows suit after finishing her crepe, not wanting him to have to bear the brunt of cleaning up everything. Besides, it's the least she can do for such a sweet surprise. ]
It was the best birthday!
[ She thinks it was, at least, as she wipes down the counter. And other than Shiho... ]
I couldn't think of anyone else I'd have rather spent it with, so thank you!
no subject
Date: 2021-11-15 12:14 am (UTC)C'mon. I'll walk you back and put you to bed. Your bed, I might add. Which is where you'll stay.
no subject
Date: 2021-11-15 04:13 am (UTC)Okay! Hey, if you want, you could spend the night. I found Sprinkles finally after all of the drama, I'll bet she'd be super happy to see you! My living space sucks compared to yours, but we could probably make it work. If you wanted to.
[ Like, totally, girlfriend. ]
no subject
Date: 2021-11-15 08:57 pm (UTC)Are you bullying me into some dorky sleepover? You know that's totally cramping my style, right?
[but he seems to be seriously considering it. maybe that way, she'll hold off on party crashing his suite... at least for now.]
no subject
Date: 2021-11-20 10:20 pm (UTC)[ At least she's not a liar, right? What she is, though, is overly pleased right now. Any time spent with poor Kaiba is a good time
other than That One Time that Involved Murder™]Please~? You could even teach me that card game of yours. Er, you could at least try. No guarantees that I'll catch on, I think we're both aware that I'm not exactly a mental giant.
no subject
Date: 2021-11-21 11:04 pm (UTC)It's not really any different from any other game. You can get ultra competitive or just pick up and play for fun.
[three guesses what kind of player he happened to be. and while he ordinarily would boast and brag and insist that he has no time for amateurs... well, obviously that wasn't true. at his heart, he was a gamer, a man who loved to play them as well as sell them. even if he didn't have a lot of time for casual bouts back home.]
And that might be true, but you should still give yourself a little more credit. I wouldn't hang out with a total bimbo.
[...wait, did he just admit to hanging out? oops.]
no subject
Date: 2021-11-21 11:42 pm (UTC)I tried to play poker once. My friends wouldn't let me...
[ Mostly because some serious shit was on the line and they called her out for being stupid but THAT'S NOT THE POINT. ]
Aww, that's really nice of you to say. You sure about that, though?
[ He SURE DID and Ann Will Remember That™, Seto Kaiba. An elephant never forgets. Even if they've already established she's not an elephant but a stupid cat. ]
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