Eden gaped at the lad, not much younger than she was of course, but then again, not that anyone knew or cared. The entire selection of the people, minus Eirian gaped at them. They stared for so long, that they were actually starting to make the spiky haired one start blushing. He was obviously uncomfortable. The blonde known as Joey, finally looked at them again.
"Hey, Red, is there something on our faces, or do you guys do this to everyone who asks you something." Eden shook out her reddish blonde pixie cut hair before reaching for his schedule. A hand intercepted it before she could grab it. Scanning the short one's schedule, Eirian pulled out her own. Yugi opened his mouth, but she answered before he could say anything.
"I'm not far from D 101. I can lead you there for TA, and I can give you a lead to your first class after that." She glanced at the violet eyes of the schedule's owner as she handed back the sheet of paper.
"Thank you. I'm Yugi Moto by the way, these are my friends Joey Wheeler, Tristan Taylor and Tea Gardener."
"Hallo."
"Yo."
"Hi." The others introduced themselves in sequential order as they were named. Eirian nodded, acting as if she didn't know who they were.
"Kalina Valkirya Prieto. Better known as Eirian. These are my friends, Eden. Menardi, and Julian." They were still staring at the newcomers, but the intensity of the stare had been tuned down a lot. Whats the reason for moving here?" Yugi and the others looked slightly uncomfortable.
"Well, its like this." Started Joey. " We... really don't know. We've kinda been here for a few months, but that's about all we know."
"Well, you're not alone you know." stated Eirian offhandedly.
"Not alone? What do you mean?"
"You guys remember Kaiba I'm sure?"
"KAIBA?" came a selection of voices from all around. Enough to make Eirian sit down clutching her ears.
"Sure, make me go deaf already." She grumbled before talking to those who yelled. "Yes, Kaiba. I ran into him this morning."
"Rich boy's here too? Good. He doesn't have his money to keep himself safe from me anymore!" Joey grinned a maniac grin, complete with giggling that made him sound like he was planning something.
"Mmm?" Rolling his eyes, Tristan scratched the back of his head. " Kaiba isn't interested in you Joey, hasn't he taught you that before?"
"You make it sound like hes gay." said Eden. Tea laughed.
"Some days we wonder." Yugi shook his head.
"So, has he lost his coat then?" asked Menardi. They looked at her. "You know, that ridiculous trench coat he always wears." Eirian shrugged.
"Didn't see him in it when I bumped into him earlier today."
"Hmph Joey, didn't expect you to be smart enough to reach the last year of high school." came a cold voice off to the side. Joey immediately became stiff and defensive, as the rest of them stared at the newcomer. Eirian just glared at the tall teen.
"What do you want Kaiba." Yugi asked, wearily. Kaiba just smirked.
"Seeing where the losers decided to sit, so I could avoid them." He paused. " Or rather, the losers and their dog." Joey reacted as everyone knew he would.
"That's it Rich Boy! I've had enough of this!" Eirian rose to hold a hand up to get him to stop. Walking straight up to him, Eirian was barely an inch away from him, face to face. Julian cringed at the energy rolling off his friend in waves. It was literally toxic, and the others started inching away from her as they felt it too.
"Leave." she said quietly, but you could sense the iron will behind the word. Kaiba "hmph"ed again before walking off. Flopping down on the floor beside her friends, she reached for her mug of chai tea before gulping down more of the hot and thick liquid. Swallowing gratefully, she grimaced at the bell.
"Think we should actually get to class on time for the first day?" asked Julian. His leather jacket wrinkling as he reached for Eden, pulling her close to him in a tight hug. Menardi, Eden, Eirian, Joey and Tristan all looked at him and blinked.
"Nah." came the reply from the girls.
"On time? What are you nuts?" asked Joey.
"For once this guy's got a point. Are you nuts?"echoed Tristan
The second bell rang not too long after that, and Eirian and Yugi walked down the hall and over one as they talked.
"I'm surprised Kaiba left us alone when you stood up to him." said Yugi. Eirian sipped some more of her chai.
"I'm sick of people like him. If they don't watch their steps, they find themselves on the wrong end of my fist." Yugi gave her a startled look. Not expecting the tomboyish girl to be so violent and impatient. Noticing the newcomer's sudden silence, Eirian sighed. "I'm not usually so bad Yugi, I'm just tired, that's all, I'm not into the school selection yet. Its gonna take me a few days. ... Probably the same for everyone here..." Yugi shrugged.
"We're pretty easygoing. I dunno, but I know how you feel about being out of it about school. Its still taking us a while to get used to things here."
"Oh really? Have you got family?" Yugi sighed.
"No... my grandpa is still back in Domino. He can't stand the lack of decent game shops up here." Eirian grunted in agreement.
"Don't blame him at all."
Eirian meditated all the way threw homeroom, and then her first class. She was lucky, she had a spare first, and she spent it in courtyard in the middle of the school. It bugged her. Yugi and the gang were here, and although she'd dreamed of this a long time ago. She'd never expected it to ever really happen. Despite the fact they were here. It didn't explain why they were. What could have happened back in Domino to make them come here. Was it something like what happened in the movie? Where the pyramid of light brought them inside the puzzle?
The Puzzle! Eirian snapped out of it instantly to stare at the pebbled stone wall. She hadn't seen it on Yugi when she saw him, however, it was the one thing that he was never without. She wasn't sure. She hadn't seen any of the series beyond the fourth arc. She had hated GX, so, she hadn't watched it afterwords. Groaning, she picked up her stuff and hitched herself off to the caff, being out of tea, and wanting chocolate.
Ordering her hot chocolate, her ears perked up behind her.
"Hey, did you see that guy's hair?"
"It totally defied gravity." Big deal... Thought Eirian. Probably one of the Asian kids... they tend to have gravity defying hair anyway.
"Yeah, but it wasn't just the hair, its the Australian accent!"
"What did he say his name was?"
"Valen, or something. Bit of an odd name eh?"
"For someone so hot? I don't think so."
Valen? No bloody way... Tossing a few quarters into the vending machine, a clunk was heard as a coffee crisp hit the bottom. Picking it out, Eirian crunched down on the bar and let the wafer dissolve. This was starting to give her a headache. Besides that, in this world, they weren't real. But they couldn't know it. How do you validate someone's existence to them? The girl meditated on the situation as she walked back to the courtyard, staring at bowling balls that served as decorations in the corner garden. Closing her eyes, she let the wind blow threw the trees, and over her skin, raising goosebumps on her arms. She couldn't find her inner peace, as she usually could. This disturbed her. Restless as the wind itself, her mind flew from place to place, never settling. Closing her eyes again, she tried again. Keeping herself locked to the task, she finally got somewhere with it. Settling piece by piece, parts of her mind that did not wish to stay in one place.
The bell rang as flurries of activity spun out all over the place. Finding her way into her math class, schedule in hand, Eirian saw her name printed on the board. Under one person, in between someone elses, same as it had been for a long time in many of the math classes she had been in. Finding her seat, she pulled out her books, a pen, and a wad of paper. The teacher introduced herself, starting the class off with a "getting to know everyone" game. Eirian grimaced. Why always did they have to do that? Sighing, and mentally shrugging, she resigned herself to standing up and telling the class that her name was Kalina, and she was attempting to learn Japanese swordsmanship. The lines grew shorter and closer to her as she heard a male voice in front of her. "My name is Alister, and I have a motorcycle license. I ride aBluell 1125R Superbike." He sat down quietly. Eirian's mouth dropped open as she stared at him. The silence grew around her, before she noticed the teacher speaking.
"Anyone behind him?" Shaking her head, Eirian stood, a lopsided and sheepish smile on her face.
"Sorry about that... I zoned out. My name is Kalina, and I practice Japanese swordsmanship." She grimaced into the desk as the next person stood to give the class information on themselves, as well as a name. Wiping her suddenly sweaty palms on her jeans, she hated speaking in front of people. It bugged her. What bugged her even more was the fact she now looked like an idiot in front of Alister. Not that he cared of course, but then again... she'd kinda not like to look like a fool in front of her peers.
Class ended as suddenly as it began, with Eirian stalking out of the class as fast as she could. She was thirsty, and stopped at a fountain to slurp up some water on her way down the hall. Someone tapped her on the shoulder as she was finished drinking, and as she wiped her mouth on the back of her hand, she almost choked to see who it was.
"Hi, Kalina is it?" Alister cocked his head to the side as he gave her a curious look. Swallowing the last of the water, she grimaced.
"Only on paper. Name's Eirian." She stuck out her hand towards the redhead. He took her hand and matched her grip for firmness.
"Good to meet you, name's Alister."
"Duly noted. I sit behind you in math."
"Oh...I didn't notice."
"I figured. Its a tough course." He raised an eyebrow at her.
"First time you've taken it, or are you redoing?"
"I've had friends who struggled threw this before. I'm taking their word for it."
"Oh."
"Hey, you said earlier that you ride a bike of some description?"
"Yeah, its a Bluell Superbike."
"Motorcycle?"
"Yeah.."
"You serious?" Alister jumped at her enthusiastic reply.
"Yeah.. why, you interested in cycling?"
"When I was tiny, my dad apparently would take me riding on one of his old Yamaha's. I guess you could say is kinda in my blood."
"Huh. Well, that sounds like better experience then I've had."
"Oh?" She cocked her head over and raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah." He pulled his sleeve up to show her the bottom of her elbow. A long scar flashed on his pale skin.
"Ouch. How did that happen?"
"Riding... got caught in a bad turn, slid, I'm lucky to still be alive."
"Sounds like it... Hey, I've got a few friends who are waiting for me, but I'll see you around, alright?"
"Yeah, sure. Have a good afternoon then."
"Thanks. You too." As she turned and left, Alister stared after her absentmindedly, finally getting out of his trance when an arm swung around his shoulders and pulled him towards the owner of the appendage.
"Hey Alister... Whatcha staring at? Who was the girl?"
"Get off Valen."
"Aww, common mate, you know I'm just curious." The mischievous blue eyed teenager winked at him. "Hot piece of ass that one."
"Shut up.."
"Awww, Alister's got a crush!"
"Get off." Pushing Valon's arm off of his shoulders, Alister turned to glare at his housemate. "I didn't say she was hot, I was just staring. Not a crime is it?"
"No, but you cant deny she was."
"Hey, she was interested in bikes. We had a conversation about that, that's all."
"So shes into biker boys, I guess I better be showing her what real biker boys look like." Valen smiled an evil grin.
"Hey, leave her alone."
"Make me!"
"Would you boys quit making a scene?" Raphael leaned over the two of them, his backpack over his shoulder. "Besides that, I'm hungry. Think we could find somewhere to eat?" They made their way down the hall, Salon snickering, and Alister partially glaring at him. The snickering continued until Raphael finally cuffed him over the head.
"Hey! What was that for? I'm not a bloody little kid ya' know!"
"No, but if you'd stop acting like one, I might be able to quit acting like your freaking father."
Eirian sat down beside her friends and yanked out a bag full of food. Joey leered at it hungrily. Raising her eyebrow she looked at him.
"Didn't pack a lunch today Joey?"
"Nope. Didn't expect to be in school all day."
"Why not?" asked Eden, munching down on her apple.
"Hey, the amount of times we skip school? I'm surprised we haven't been expelled yet."
"Don't speak too soon." stated Tea. "I don't know what the rules here are, but I don't think they're quite as lenient on attendance as Domino High was."
"Hell, Domino would let people walk out of the room and no problems at all." piped up Tristan downing a carton of chocolate milk. Joey glared at it.
"Hey, whats up man? Just cause you didn't bring any lunch of your own doesn't mean you have to glare at everyone about it."
"Yeah, but you're suppose to share."
"Says who? Its my lunch."
"You know, if I didn't know better, I'd say the two of you were a pack of dogs squabbling over a scrap of meat." Spoke a new voice. The collective of people looked up at the black haired newcomer. His hair stuck out at odd angles over a brown headband. The die hanging from his ear gave him away, as did the twin cuff bracelets, the black slacks and black t shirt, and the red vest. The backpack slung over one shoulder looked odd on him but Duke Devlin wore it well, as he wore most things.
"Duke!" cried Yugi, Joey, Tristan and Tea as they got up to greet the newcomer. Menardi,, Julian, Eden and Eirian traded looks. Putting down her apple, Eirian gave her scalp a furious massage. Something she did when she was getting stressed.
"So who exactly do we have here then?" asked the green eyed male peering down at the others. Menardi cleared her throat as she stood.
"Menardi Argan. Who might we be addressing." She held out her hand to shake. Duke took it and shook it firmly before answering.
"Duke Devlin. Pleased to meet you Menardi."
"I'm Julian."
"Pleased."
"Eden Oranga."
"Hallo." Eirian stood, offering her hand.
"Eirian Prieto."
"Charmed, I'm sure." He was surprised that her grip met his in firmness. Raising his eyebrow at her, he commented as he sat down. "You all have pretty firm grips, any reason why?" The four of them traded looks. Menardi, shrugged.
"We're all pretty proud of ourselves as far as strength goes."
"Hmm. It shows." He said, his green eyes levelled at Menardi who raised her eyebrows but remained silent. The conversation turned to school, life and other pieces of their universe as the nine of them got to know each other. Joey and Tristan kept butting heads over food, among other things until Eirian got fed up with it and threw her lunch at Joey. He scarfed it in a moment or two, looking at her for more. She looked back at him blankly.
"That was my lunch for the next two days that you just gobbled down."
"Oh."
"Joey!" yelled Tea.
"What? She threw it at me!"
"Yeah but you weren't suppose to eat it all!"
"I'm hungry!"
"There's no reason to be a pig."
"Looks like Joey is anything but the gentleman." commented Duke.
"Hey, shut your face Dice Boy! I can be quite the gentleman when I wish to be."
"Obviously now not being one of those rare occasions."
"Grrrr..." Joey lunged at Duke, only barely being held down by Yugi and Tristan.
"Come on Joey, you know he didn't mean it." said Yugi, attempting to calm him down.
"Hes not much of a gentleman himself!" yelled Joey, still agitated.
"Ah but I can be." Pulling out a small bag of pistachios, he handed them to Eirian. "For you milady." Eirian bowed slightly as she took them.
"Thank you Duke, although, I do have to say that it seams that at least I get fed on a regular basis. By Joey's vigorous appetite it would appear that he does not. So thank you, I appreciate it. Don't worry Joey, I've got food at home, feeding you for today is no skin off my nose at all." She winked at him as she broke open the bag of pistachios. "Besides, most of the guys here are gentlemen in their own right."
"Oh? Who wouldn't you call the gentleman round here?" asked Duke before he slugged back another gulp of his soda. Eirian grimaced.
"Isn't it obvious? Seto Freaking Kaiba." Nods of agreement followed the announcement. "Hes the type of guy who would watch you get beaten to a pulp on the side of the street and walk away rather then help you. Hes got no heart, no caring attitude, unless you're Mokuba, or want to protect a sibling. Besides that, his heart is as stone cold as an ice storm with a wind chill of negative 40. Step outside you'd freeze." Hearing footsteps behind her, Eirian noticed that she no longer had anyone's attention. Taking a sip of her water she swallowed before speaking.
"How much did you hear Kaiba?"
"All of it thank you. I resent that girl, I could be a gentleman." Eirian laughed coldly before answering.
"Prove it." He glared at her back before uttering a muttered "hmph!", spinning on his heal and walking away. Eirian raised an eyebrow.
"Told ya."
