TDM 005: Ch-ch-changes!

[heckinmods]

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A, Garden Level - Autumn Celebrations!
[It may be November in the real world but when you're dead time is fake! So this week/month GARDENFEST is happening...........aka a bootleg mishmash of Oktoberfest and an Xmas Market. In general: PARTY TIME.

Drinks! Foods! Bad singing!! Drunkenly built gingerbread houses! You're thrown in a festive identity clash of imps and cherubs in the garden playing music that doesn't match or shoving drinks at you. Don't worry, if you don't want a mug of beer, it might just be gingerale! Anyway sorry you died but PARTY PARTY JOIN US JOIN US--]


B, Hell Level: ICE to meet you!
[Down at the HellRaiser hotel, the hellish amenities await your every need, but spooky season is over. Aside from the usual, er, allure of Hell, it also seems to be slowly freezing over. Ruh roh. It's not much now, but occasionally you may be hit by a teeny tiny icicle as you explore, awww. Other times it's a whole fucking STALACTITE crashes down on you. Better dodge or hope someone pushes you out the way!! Look out for slick sidewalks too!

Otherwise, hey have some fun in Hell!! Go to a club, get some drugs, go to a casino, win and get mugged!! Ever have a drink made out of literal MAGMA? Go on, try it!! Slaps hell's cobbled brimstone you can fit so much chaos down here!]


C, Heaven Level: Spice, spice, baby.
[Heaven-side, the cherubs are ready to welcome you and give you the VIP treatment!! Massages! Manipedis! Lavish outfits and attention! You can raise your hand and just get a fucking cat sat on your lap! Truly, this is bliss!!

Oh, but it's also cozy season in Heaven! So along with the best fits for the chillier weather, There are an assortment of beverages being offered by angels for you to sample (CW Mind Manipulation):

Apple Spiced Latte- Tasty and earthy! But you suddenly feel more subservient.
Cranberry Spiced Latte- A bit tart but it works. This might make you sassier than usual.
Stuffing Spiced Latte- There is no effect. Why would you drink this you monster.

For the TDM you can find small cherub-run kiosks with these drinks on any level you prefer! If that's not your cuppa joe, feel free to explore the beauty of Heaven per usual! The beach! Boardwalk! All the cafes!! Whatever heaven should have, you can likely find it.]

OOC NOTES:
-I KNOW THIS TDM IS BIT LACKING SO TBH FEEL FREE TO PULL PROMPTS FROM OLDER ONES TOO, DO WHATEVS
-This TDM is open to all! You do NOT need to join the comm to play in it!
-As a reminder, THIRD CHARACTER APPS are now street legal!
-Post questions for the mods here
-Remember, playing in the TDM does NOT guarantee your entry or app being accepted into the game proper later down the line!
-Apps open!! Be sure to read the rules linked there and check the current taken list!
-For current players: TDMs count as game canon AND threads may be used for AC if you wish!
-Remember regardless of your alignment, you are free to travel to whatever level you wish!

Comments

Yuugi Mutou | Yu-Gi-Oh! - Post DSOD | Heavenbound

[puzzleshounen]

Arrival

...Dead, huh? This was...not exactly what he'd been expecting when he thought about the afterlife. Then again, he'd literally dueled a man for his chance to die, and watched him walk off into the path of light.

Was this what the afterlife was actually like, or were there different afterlives, piled onto one another?

Nnnngh. It was hard to think about.

What was even harder to think about was...his appearance. He looked mostly like himself, slender and short and chubby-cheeked. But he had two...wings, sprouting out of his back. Black ones, wide and heavy but somehow not weighing him down with crystal hearts that seemed to change shades of red based on his mood. A long dragon tail twitched behind him, like a cat's, waving to and fro.

His hands looked human, but if a person looked, his nails were a touch too long and the skin was ashen, as though scales were starting to grow in.

"Are you...sure I'm dead?" He asked. "There has to be some mistake. See, I was just resting at home after working on my game..."

---

Heaven Level

So many drinks to choose from; how the heck did anyone know which to pick? They all looked pretty festive, too, but Yuugi couldn't just drink them all, right? That'd be taking something someone else might be interested in drinking.

That, and did he really want to ingest that much of what looked to be sugary drinks?

He bit his lip, staring at the row of drinks like it was trying to eat him, tail twitching in thought as his wings stayed snug on his side. His gems glowed a soft inquisitive coral.

---

Hell level

Of course Yuugi ended up going to a casino.

What, you think the guy who was interested in games all his life wouldn't try going into a literal game haven, baby-faced as he was?

He wasn't sure if he wanted to go and try playing at a table or if he wanted to watch; just watching people play games had its own allure. Having fun was sometimes its own reward, even if you didn't do particularly well.

Eh, maybe he'll just go to one of the many pachislot machines (who knew those things would be in Hell, of all places) and try his luck at winning tokens.

...

A lot of them.

It was normal to have 3 jackpots in a row, right?

Arrival lmao-

[luckydragonsfoot]

Oh!!! Sir, sir, we found one!!

OH SHIT-

[From a good ways behind Yugi, a conversation between a Cherub and a fairly familiar voice happens- the voice is where the familiarity might end though. Unlike Yugi, there's very little human about the angelic Jonouchi Katsuya, and frankly not a whole lot angelic either.

Nice sun-disk halo though, Jou.

The seeming griffon comes running though, eyes wide.] Yugi!!!

[He stops just a foot away, and evidently has been running pretty ragged until now- he actually has to catch his breath.

But, when he straightens up, he looks more than relieved to see a friend.]

Man, I was sweatin' there...They were tellin' me it was just me up here, after the whole bunch of us fell through that...errr...

[...........the hell did they get pushed into. He doesn't know.] ...Whatever, doesn' matter! Don't worry about th' dead thing, they were sayin' it's a clerk error thing, how you feel?

[He's been a Bit Worried okay!!!]

[puzzleshounen]

[Fell?? Through... what???

Honestly that was the last thing on his mind because by the Gods, there was a familiar voice!

Not uh. The beak. That was less familiar.

Still.

Yuugi's tail raised immediately, curling at the end like a cat's. His wings fluttered slightly.]

Jou...Jounouchi! It's you!

[Have the full force of his beaming smile.]

.... that....is You, right?

[luckydragonsfoot]

[WEIRD GAME BOARD IN A TEMPLE DW ABOUT IT-

And anyway, that's not important! While Yuugi's tail is geared for cat behavior, apparently Jonouchi's is more canid, given the way the wound up thing is swishing back and forth.

...Don't tell him.]

Yeah!!!

[The teen coughs a bit.] Of course it is..!! Who else would it be!!!

[Aside from the whole, looks barely like himself thing, shhh shhh!!]

[puzzleshounen]

Ahaha, I just wasn't expecting... you know!

[His hand motions to Jou's beak, and his gems glow a cheerful orange-red, like fire opals.]

But am I glad to see you! I thought I'd never see a familiar face! Er, voice?

[His tail twitches in thought.]

[luckydragonsfoot]

[Excuse him while he looks over himself.

How is he pouting with a beak. How is he doing that.] Oh yeah that.

[Eh...he scratches his head.] Yeah, it's uh...been kinda weird, all my scars got turned gold too, so I can't ev'n start figuring out why I look like this...

Heheee, you're lookin' pretty good yourself though! Cool rocks, man!

[puzzleshounen]

Cool... rocks?

[Wait. Oh...

Yuugi turned slightly, realizing that he meant the stones on his body.

The hearts.

He scratched his head.]

Eheh... you think so? It's... not too, you know...weird?

[luckydragonsfoot]

Yeah! [Around the same time Yugi guesses it, Jonouchi makes a gesture toward those same hearts.]

Pff, 'course not! I mean, look at me right? [The grin is replaced with a somewhat dry grimace, as Jonouchi gestures to his...everything. He even flexes the wings for good measure.] I don't even get real hair, it's like...Glowy fire stuff.

[He moves a clawed hand- which has a line of gold going across the skin between his thumb and finger, as if someone tore cards from his grip repeatedly- through the 'strands'. It doesn't move like fire obviously, but it sure doesn't move like hair.]

I think I'm definitely beatin' you out for weird here!

[puzzleshounen]

It looks good on you, though. It's like your dueling spirit is showing through your hair, you know?

[Also, sir.

Fire hair is friggin rad. Especially with the whole bird thing; he almost looks like the Winged Dragon of Ra.

Which...

Is ironic, in its own way, but suiting. Better than...

...

The alternative.]

Hell. yep. he's in hell.

[firstrateduelist]

Yuugi's not the only one who thought about going to a casino about everything. Kaiba was a regular at several establishments, at least until they inevitably kicked him out over his run of luck.

It's not as if he's always counting cards, and really, that can't be considered cheating, can it? It's rote memorization, get off his back about it.

Regardless, he's exploring the fare at this point, walking the floor and trying to pick out his next conquest. It's then that he sees him.

The shock of bright-colored hair is unmistakable, even while the rest of the form was ensconced within the scales of a dragon, much like himself. However, whereas Kaiba was head to toe a Blue-Eyes, Yuugi was only accented with Gandora's scales and features, but the face...it remained untouched.

Yuugi Mutou.

His remaining rival. So he's here too, trapped by the same "clerical error" as Kaiba himself?

It takes him a moment to compose himself, faced with the sight of someone he actually didn't dislike. But he does, eventually, and with a part of his maw, he calls out:

"They really will let anyone in here! Mheheh!"

Listen. That's as mild an insult as he'll ever give. Take the win. And ignore how his tail flicks from side to side, betraying some kind of emotion. Too soon to tell.

[puzzleshounen]

Yuugi blinked.

That voice. He'd know that voice anywhere. It was hard not to when so many of his pivotal life moments included him.

His tail stood up straight and vibrated, and his wings fluttered--

"You know me. You can't keep me away from a good game--"

He turned around.

Stared.

That...

"Kaiba...? Is that you...?"

[firstrateduelist]

Kaiba steps closer, arms crossed in front of him. Despite all efforts, when he hears Yuugi's response, he can't help the way his wings briefly flick open, though he pulls them in firmly behind him again as soon as he realizes. No. None of that. No involuntary motions.

"And who else would it be?"

Who else would wear these scales proudly, who else could boast the allegiance of his ace? Being a dragon is weird, but being this dragon? That's expected.

On the flipside, he doesn't expect those kinds of features on Yuugi. He supposes...most people who show up here don't look human anymore, but Gandora was still a choice. Not a terrible one--Kaiba favors dragons, so it's about time his rival was forced to do so as well--but still weird.

Cyan slit pupils appraise Yuugi's design without a single hint of hesitation. Interesting.

[puzzleshounen]

Well... this was...

First Jonouchi as a bird, then Kaiba as a dragon. It was suiting, though; it was as though he was always like that, gleaming white scales and brilliant blue eyes.

Geez, Yuugi almost looked boring by comparison.

"That's fair. I can't imagine a anyone else looking like a Blue Eyes. Not without you suing them first."

Or challenging them to a card game.

He smiled, friendly and warm.

"It suits you."

[firstrateduelist]

"Very funny."

He doesn't sound amused, but he's not frowning either. What does that mean, Kaiba?

Would you actually sue someone for looking like a Blue-Eyes? Kaiba???

"Of all the things that have happened so far, this isn't the worst. I'll have to accept it for now, until I can find my way to him."

Upon saying that, his tail settles on the ground, the tip twitching much like an aggravated cat's tail. Clearly that's a sore spot in a field of sore spots.

[puzzleshounen]

He may have looked dry, but Yuugi knew that if he was truly angry, he would have...

Would he bite him?

With that maw, he would have bit him.

Oh Gods, Kaiba could bite now.

Still, Yuugi was nothing if not good at pushing his luck.

"I thought so."

But then...

Him.

"You're...still trying to get back to him."

That wasn't a question. His expression was unreadable, though. A bland smile that fit Ryou more than it did Yuugi.

His tail drooped, though.

[firstrateduelist]

Kaiba frowns at Yuugi's reaction. Sure, he wasn't overly great at dealing with emotions, but even he could read draconic body language. Debatably even better than he could read actual emotional responses from anyone but his brother.

"I won't stop until I see him again," he says as if it's the most obvious thing in the world. Why would Yuugi ever think he might? Or...perhaps he thinks Kaiba should be content with his lot? More fool him--Yuugi had, again, been allowed to see Atem off! And Kaiba? Well...the pharaoh owed it to him.

"We have unfinished business, that's all."

Heaven level!

[ahew_kha]

While he's seeming far more in conflict of choice, Kisara already has one of the drinks and had been quietly sipping on it while people watching. Some of them were interesting, others were... more common than she'd think. Some looking like they belonged in Hell and others very clearly Heaven. It's a little strange, in a way.

But it's once she catches sight of Yuugi that she pauses in her thoughts, he looked... strangely familiar if not a bit shorter than the man she had known. It certainly couldn't be, right? Slowly she moves to stand from where she'd been sitting, casually making her way over bundled in white and pastel blue with her hair braided, wings folded to her back, and tail slowly swaying behind her.

"I assure you that there's plenty of them, I've yet to see them be out of one for longer than a moment." She starts, keeping her voice soft and as calm as she can manage. If this is who she thinks it is, she's being particularly careful to not step on any toes.

[puzzleshounen]

"Oh--"

As he turned around... he stopped. At first, he thought of Ryou, with his long soft hair and blue eyes, but...

He tilted his head for a moment.

Before collecting himself.

"Ah, um, thank you. Sorry, I didn't mean to stare, you just look like a friend of mine. If... he was a girl, anyway."

Heaven; cw mental manipulation bc karma's a bitch, huh marik

[vroomkeeper]

"You want the apple. It's amazing."

Says a voice intruding into his head - no wait, just from behind him! A familiar voice, if somewhat more cheerful than usual. Marik Ishtar, gleaming with holiness (or perhaps just with being now made of golden slime), sips from his own cup.

"The cranberry's too tart and the stuffing is a waste of perfectly good coffee. Nothing compares to Egyptian coffee, of course, but if Heaven can't stand the idea of grounds in the cup that's their problem. I'll have that changed soon enough."

Gosh, how happy Marik is to see you, Yuugi. How wonderful it is to be friends with you. He'd be happy to do anything you wanted!

....His way.

[puzzleshounen]

Wait.

That voice... he'd heard it before. He'd not only heard it, but he knew them. That had to be--

"...Marik?"

Yeah, that was definitely Marik, if he was...glowing.

That man was glowing.

First Jonouchi with flame hair, now...

"Oh, uh. Thank you. I'll give the apple a try, then," Yuugi said as his tail vibrated and stood tall. What a strange contrast to his almost sheepish little smile.

His gems glowed a warm butterscotch yellow.

[vroomkeeper]

Gandora.....Yes, Marik remembers that monster from the Ceremonial Duel. Frankly, while he can't deny the creature's sheer sense of Presence, it's not what he would have chosen for Yuugi's signature Duel Monster. Clashes with Yuugi's demeanor. Sends mixed messages. Very confusing for the simple-minded.

(Marik, of course, has a devastatingly complex mind, and knows there's more to Yuugi than meets the eye. But why BETRAY that? Why give up an advantage? To whom must he complain about someone being worse at this than him?)

"It's a fuller taste than you'd expect," he continues, picking up a cup of the apple and offering it to Yuugi, "so if you don't like your coffee flavor very rich you should add cream. One and a half of these."

He indicates the thimble-like containers. Yes, everyone's palate is different. No, that doesn't change that Marik knows best. If he can't design Yuugi's monstersona he will at least make him a nice drink. That is being of service to Yuugi.

Marik finds he really, really wants to be of service to Yuugi.

[puzzleshounen]

Yuugi took the drink without complaint; it had been a while since he spoke to Marik last, hadn't it?

Yeah, a little while at least.

When he got home, he needed to get better at keeping track of everyone. Marik, Ishizu, Kaiba...

"Oh, I like rich flavors."

... Maybe?

He wasn't the most sophisticated guy; he ate burgers and fries and preferred soda to tea or coffee. Still, Marik was, so he'd take his word for it?

A sip.

Crisp apple floated over his tongue alongside the coffee and spices. It was a creamy concoction that reminded him of...

Another sip.

"Spiced apples..."

Wait, did he mean to say that out loud?

"Thank you; it's really, really good."

[vroomkeeper]

Really, really good!

Yuugi's words are like sunbeams shining onto Marik's heart. He basks in them, beaming, looking for a moment like the little boy for whom his sister still mistakes him sometimes.

"Isn't it?" he enthuses. "I've done a complete survey of the kiosks, and this one serves the best variation on this drink. It's all about the spice to coffee ratio. I'm a natural at picking up this sort of thing."

Which is a fancy way of saying "I'm detail-oriented, sensation-starved, and curious, so I will try anything once so long as it's not meat-based, because that texture is Disgusting."

He grins. Yuugi enjoying the drink he picked (Yuugi! His friend Yuugi! Yuugi, who looked out for him, and saved him! Yuugi, who he didn't realize until exactly this second he wanted to make happy so badly but wow, when you owe a man your soul, surely that's normal and not something worth examining for outside influence at all!) has made his week. This really is Paradise. Everything is perfect! Which reminds him....

"Just like I can tell you're a denizen of Heaven."

Pause for effect.

"Like me."

[puzzleshounen]

Wow, he really liked it when Marik was happy.

His friend! His good friend from Egypt, who was also in heaven?! That meant he had more friends!

More friends was always a blessing, right?

Yuugi took another sip, and his wings fluttered behind him, almost vibrating with joy.

"You're from Heaven, too. I'm glad! It's so much better with friends."

Another little sip.

Okay, one more.

Siiiiiiiiiip.

[vroomkeeper]

He's glad! He's glad. Marik didn't get the reaction he was hoping for - "Heaven? But of course you are, Marik! That's perfect for you, and we can definitely forget all about that bit where it wasn't!" - but his expression grows almost dreamy anyway. If Yuugi wants to focus on friendship, then friendship is the most important thing. "It really is...."

In fact - that gives him an Idea.

"Hey, Yuugi."

Marik's eyes are bright, hopeful. Compliant. "What else do you like to do with friends? I want to be the best friend for you I can! Please, tell me!"