Swift feet slapped rapidly against the cold concrete stairs. Despite the summer sun that beat against the outside of the building, the emergency stairwell maintained a cool atmosphere and which perfectly counterbalanced the rising temperature of the runner. Although the insufferably tall building did have an elevator, certain things like keycards let only legal users in to use it. And, possibly reaffirmed by the fast pace on the last set of stairs, the runner was technically a trespasser. Despite what was supposed to be the most advanced security in the city, there was actually very few obstacles stopping them from gaining access to the top floors. All it took was a piece of wire to extend the alarm circuit on the ground floor's emergency exit and waiting for the cameras and guards to look the other way before a person could slip in. By law, emergency exits were supposed to open into the stairwell and only open at the exit. But with the danger of people getting trapped by locked doors and fire (not to mention the potential suing that could follow), workers generally just left the alarms wired up to catch people. With a similar mechanism on the top door as was on the bottom, another length of wire gave the figure enough room to squeeze around the door at the top of the stairwell. On the other side of the thick piece of metal lay an empty corridor with the elevator doors on the right and a frosted glass door on the left. Silently creeping over, stealthy hands carefully slipped tiny pieces of metal into the lock and gently soothed them back and forth. A silent click indicated the lock sliding into place and the intruder was quick to slip through the gap and engage the mechanism behind them again. "Child's play." Rising back to their feet, early relief threw away all the effort as caution dropped away and they turned to see a figure standing quietly before them.
"Nicely done." Leaning heavily on a gnarled cane, bleary eyes glared out at the trespasser. "I used to have a friend who was good with locks." Both figures remained perfectly still, one shocked and the other patient. "Still, even he would struggle to make it this far. I take it," The moment was broken as the old lady carefully hobbled his way over towards the nearby kitchen area. "That you came up the stairwell? Do come in." One weak hand tried it's best to wrap around an empty glass on the worktop. "I doubt that you came all this way for nothing." A gentle touch carefully brushed aside his weak hand and filled the glass with water from the nearby tap. "Thank you."
"Sorry for breaking in." A shy smile flickered across the pale face. "I was aiming for the roof." Muttered grumblings accompanied the older hand waving for the newcomer to bring a drink for themselves along to the chairs by the window.
"Tell me," Without the knobbled cane, both hands lifted the water high enough to take a sip. "What exactly were you about to go prancing around on my roof for?" Narrow shoulders gave a carefree shrug.
"It's the summer solstice. I wanted to get the best view in the city." The old woman narrowed his eyes at the intruder.
"I bet it's wonderful." Despite the strength of character that seemed to radiate from the shrivelled figure, little could slow the passage of nature that crowded his vision to a blurry haze. "Any clouds out?" Careful not to knock her glass over, the host slowly shuffled around in her seat until she faced the glass wall onto the outside garden area.
"Just a few." The sun was slowly reaching it's zenith, cresting atop the sky at the top of the heavens. "Light ones mostly, scattered about." Under most other circumstances, the intruder would have snuck back out again. But her host didn't radiate enough calm content to mask the loneliness that cloaked her waking hours. "There we go." Journey half over, the great ball of fire slowly began a lazy descent towards the far horizon.
"Ah, I bet it was lovely." Both hands gently folded across the top of the gnarled cane as it rested a few inches from the wrinkled chin. "So few people take the time to stop and look about themselves anymore. Too busy with all their technology. Heh, I'd like to unplug them all for a day and watch them squirm." With that thought, a wrinkled smile made itself known.
"Sounds ingenious. It'd be nice if people could enjoy the world around them once in a while." Shadows covered the intruders eyes as she spoke the words.
"You Duel much?" The sudden change in conversation seemed to stun the visitor for a moment.
"Not often. My job keeps me buys a lot." Grumbled mutterings came from the figure in the bed. "I take it that you disagree?" One hand fumbled outwards for the guest in the chair to take.
"Don't let your job take over your whole life. There's a world of adventures out there." Light bounced off the unseeing eyes as the past reflected behind them.
"Sounds like you've had some adventures of your own."
"Bah!" Enough strength managed to negotiate to one finger to raise and point to the younger figure. "I've seen things that would make your hair curl." The pretty face slowly crept closer in expectation.
"I don't suppose that you have a really good one up your sleeve?" Maybe this uninvited guest was just being polite. But after being the last one standing for so long, there was not much opportunity for talking. Stranger or not, it was nice to have a proper conversation with somebody again.
"Let me think." It wasn't much of a thought process. There was really only one story that she could tell that nobody else could. "If you're willing to stick around for while, I know a good story." Shaky hands managed to drain the rest of the glass and wet her throat in preparation for the long tale.
"What it about?" Unfeeling fingers traced out patterns in the worn wood of the cane.
"My story? Hmm.. What to call it." The old woman grumbled as she turned titles around her spotted head. "I know." Neurons flashed deep inside her head and delivered the answer. "The Death of Yusei Fudo." Leaning back into her chair, she began to tell her tale.