Inbox for Penance

[menaretrash]

Text. | Voice. | Action. | Video.

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delivery;

[neutronblast]

[a few days before the sinners set sail for lucifer island, a small package arrives at ann's suite, neatly wrapped in plain brown paper. the package contains a velvety box. and inside that box was a pretty pair of hair ribbons along with a short note, penned in kaiba's impeccable handwriting:]

In honor of this special day, please join me at Kaifé for a private celebration. Drinks are on me.



[yep, he signed it. because of course he did. because of course he remembered her birthday.]

Delivery --- > Action

[menaretrash]

[ Honestly, Ann's not even paid attention to the date or anything that comes with it. Generally, she doesn't really acknowledge or celebrate her birthday, and with all of the recent craziness of this place the date has just flown right over her head. So when a very special delivery with two very pretty hair ribbons and an incredibly sweet note arrives from Seto, she's nearly floored at the gesture. Not because it's him, but because he's somehow managed to remember.

Well, clearly she can't keep him waiting, so she sets about getting ready, adding those super cute bows to her usual pig tails. She also decides to make the ensemble match, so she selects a matching blue dress with a black cardigan over it, and of course a pair of cute heels (she's a model, come on, does he expect any less?).

One last fluff of her hair and a twirl in the mirror to make sure she looks decent enough, and she's off. Even in heels, she makes it to Kaifé in record time (a bitch can run in stilettos if she needs to, okay), and in she goes, glancing around for the man in question. ]

[neutronblast]

[kaiba didn't care much for birthdays, especially his own, but he was still a businessman. and that demanded proper decorum and good manners.

not that kaiba paid much attention to manners either. but he greets ann with a small smile all the same when she arrives, seated at the counter with a cup of black coffee for himself and a mug of sweet tea for the birthday girl. with that same show of graciousness, he acknowledges his friend with a slight dip of his head.]

Happy birthday, Ann. Glad you could make it.

[he gestures magnanimously to the stool beside him. seems like she really was getting the five star treatment tonight.]

Not the most hospitable venue, I know, but it's all I've got. So you'll have to excuse me.

[menaretrash]

[ Flashing a bright smile over in Kaiba's direction, she happily trots over and throws her arms around the poor man in a grateful hug, leaning in to press a grateful kiss against one of his cheeks. Soon enough she leans back and allows him his freedom once more, taking the offered seat next to him. ]

Thank you so much! This was really sweet of you, you didn't have to do anything for me. I love the ribbons, by the way.

[ They're very him, after all, and she's going to be caught wearing them quite frequently, thanks. ]

Don't be silly, it's great! I'm so proud of you for making this place happen!

[neutronblast]

[yeah. alright. he's cool and he knows it but he's still a sucker for praise. so don't mind him sitting up the slightest bit straighter, like a cat that just got stroked behind the ears.

and while the hug surprises him, he endures it. he's not exactly touchy-feely but he knows she means well and it's nice to see her so spirited. because a little part of him will always feel guilty for what happened in the fog and for how bad she must have felt, how miserable she must have been, as he patched her up in front of that mirror.]

Kisara helped pick them out. Not that she's biased or anything.

[nor was he. clearly he's winking at her for no reason at all.]

Besides. You made it happen it too. So try to take a little credit for yourself, neiti.

[menaretrash]

[ Ann smooths out the skirt of her dress before she gets comfortable and crosses her left leg over her right, clearly excited just to be in the presence of a very good friend. ]

I love them! You both have very good taste.

[ And she's definitely not biased either, okay. ]

Sorry, can't do that, Boss. This is definitely all you, and I'm so happy for you!

[neutronblast]

Well, that goes without saying.

[but feel free to keep saying it, ann. because see above: sucker for praise.

kaiba turns back to his coffee, taking a hearty sip. they weren't exactly brewing gourmet and it was a far cry from what he enjoyed back in japan, but there was something nostalgic about the flavor. and something satisfying about a hard day's work, knowing that he was responsible for the roof over their heads and the drinks in their hands.]

I guess if we're gonna be stuck down here, we may as well try to make ourselves at home. At least for now.

[home. what a wretched word. he tries to think about it as little as possible, about the things and the people left behind.]

[menaretrash]

For now is right.

[ She's still dead set on killing Lucifer and whoever else stands in her way, even if she knows damn well she can't do it on her own. But someday she'll have a group of carefully selected individuals ready, and when that time comes, literal God better come down and help anyone who stands in their way.

That day is not today, however. She reaching out to stir her tea with her straw before she takes a sip.]

Anyways, being down here sucks, but it meant I got to meet you. So, I'm glad for that. But I promise I'm going to bust us out of here no matter what.

[neutronblast]

Not sure if it'll be that easy.

[but he also knows ann won't be dissuaded from her suicide mission, so he drops it. at least for now.]

How's Carmen? Back to full strength, I presume? And probably pretty pissed at me too.

[menaretrash]

Nothing worthwhile ever is, right? Besides.

[ She takes another sip before she straightens. ]

I like a challenge.

[ It's giving her something to work towards, at least, even if there's a good chance it won't end so well. Even if there's an even better chance that she'll be returning home to a non existent world. ]

She is. And no, she's not pissed off at you at all. I haven't had any need to let her do her thing since a few weeks ago, but she seems content enough.

[neutronblast]

Yeah. I'll bet.

[and it was still pretty weird, accepting that ann had another person inside of herself. another person but the same person, another body but the same body, another face but the same face. who heard the same things and said the same things only different. who looked so cruel, so unkind, so hard to reconcile with this bubbly girl, smiling so bright.

maybe he really was cursed. because the further he ran away from magic, the faster it seemed to catch up with him.]

Not to put a damper on things, but I hope it doesn't come to that again. Hurting you, I mean.

[his fingers ghost over her wrist. extra reassurance, maybe, if only for himself.]

Both of you. Either of you. She might be made for that, but you certainly aren't.

[menaretrash]

[ It's a shame that she can't show Kaiba the shit show mess that her world has turned into. Fused with the Metaverse and reality with people being brainwashed by a literal phone app that decided it was a God and turned itself into the Ark of the Covenant. It's all super unbelievable, but he'd have certainly been a huge asset to stopping the chaos. Or just staring in disbelief, maybe. ]

I don't care about myself. I care about you, and like two other people here. You guys are the ones I don't want to get hurt. I don't give a shit about what happens to me, though.

[ It's not a lie, either. She doesn't necessarily want to die or anything, but also, it is what it is. She places her free hand over is with a small smile. ]

You worry too much. We're both okay now, and anyways, that's what she's there for. Back up and assistance.

[neutronblast]

[sharply, suddenly, seemingly without warning, seto slams his cup down and shouts:]

Bullshit!

[well. maybe that got carmen's attention. maybe just a little.

but he can't help it. somehow, hearing I don't care, I don't give a shit sets him off. and he sounds mad. but it isn't at ann, not really. it's her attitude, her lack of compassion and lack of concern for herself -- it rubs him the wrong way, like fire on his skin. and shockingly enough, perhaps for the first time in his life, he's mad: mad for someone else.]

That's bullshit and you know it! Of course you should care! Because you're...

[oops. can't take it back now. he retreats to a softer tone, falls back on that cooler facade, but it's too late.]

...because you're someone worth caring about.

[menaretrash]

[ Holy shit. Ann's quiet, blinking up at him, gaze traveling from his mug back to his face, to his mug and then finally directly back up to his fiery blue gaze. This is different -- she's seen him yell at other people, but he hasn't really yelled at her. Not quite like this, at least.

He sounds mad, but as his tirade goes on, she realizes that it's not entirely directed towards her, and it's not really aimed at her out of rage but out of... caring. If that even makes sense, but it does to her. ]

Kaiba, that's really sweet...

[ It is, too. Her cheeks burn a bright pink, and she glances off to the side for a moment. ]

Seriously though, you're my priority. If it wasn't for you, I'd have gone nuts and we wouldn't be having this conversation right now. You're worth caring about too, y'know. More than worth it, in fact.

[neutronblast]

If I have to care, you have to care.

[and just to clarify, just so she can't wriggle out of it, just so neither of them can:]

Not about me. About yourself.

[menaretrash]

Okay, okay, jeez.

[ 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.

[neutronblast]

[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.

[menaretrash]

[ 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.

[neutronblast]

[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.

[menaretrash]

See? Karma's a bitch, isn't it?

[ 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.

[neutronblast]

Like a guardian angel.

[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.

[menaretrash]

[ 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.

[neutronblast]

She is, isn't she?

[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.]

[menaretrash]

Sure is. Everything about her is amazing.

[ 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.

[neutronblast]

[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.