Shout Outs:
Kaze-Kami-Ha: I wonder how long it is going to take people to figure out what Brams' deck is.
Psycho King: Any sort of OTK for Erebos shouldn't be happening again for a long time so he needs to enjoy it.
Elemental Balance: I'll keep at it as long as people keep reading.
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Erebos had stayed the night at Brams' house so as to avoid running them late in the morning. Both sat down to a hearty breakfast prepared by Brams mother. The time between their last casual meal at 'home' went by quickly and the next thing they knew they were at the dock. Both had decided to wear their blazers, figuring that most of the other students would be doing the same. Erebos had been chosen for the Ra dorm, Bram the Slifer. Erebos let out a whistle as he looked over the luxury liner sporting the 'Duel Academy' Emblem on its side.
"Oh this is going to be so cool. We'll be away from our families, we get to meet new people, and all while getting our degrees built up in dueling, and we get to start by taking a trip on a luxury liner. Can it get any better than this?"
Bram shook his head and began towards the gangplank. Several other students were loitering on the boat and off of it by this time already. The occasional overseer or proctor was seen making sure everyone checked in with a ticket. Bram and Erebos presented theirs and were let onto the ship. Stepping on deck Bram looked at his ticket.
"According to this I am on the fourth deck." Bram wondered what his quarters would be like. The ships upper level seemed very plush thus far.
"I'm on the third deck." Erebos noticed a floor plan of the ship depicted on the wall and with no time had found the directional arrows leading to a stairwell.
"We can go drop our things off in our rooms and meet back up on deck to have a look around together." Bram suggested starting to go down the stairs.
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Kemah was a little ways ahead of the both the boys. She was eager to enjoy the sun some more. Surveying her room she did find the living arrangements left something to be desired. The room was very simple with a padded cot to act as her bed. She closed the door and put her hands on her hips. She knew that such an elaborate cruise line would have better rooms available. As she was on the verge of complaint she remembered the ways of home. The spirit of Aloha would not be to complain, but rather to make the best of the situation. She quickly threw off the bad thoughts and began searching through her luggage so that she could change.
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Thor had taken to wearing a pair of jeans with his duel blazer that day and stepped beside Orin with a disappointed groan.
"You never wear anything but dress clothes do you?"
"Give me a really good reason and I'll try something else."
"To relax is one key reason. It's a new year, new students, a clean slate." Thor took a deep breath and let it out to further express himself. "And you can just kick back."
"But I just can't help but get this feeling something bad is coming. Kind of that calm before the storm feeling." Orin paused to take a breath. "I still could have sworn I saw Madeline and you know the last time-"
"Don't tell me you both missed me that much." A voice that was virtually dripping with honey spoke from behind them, causing Orin and Thor to spin around startled. There stood a young woman, perhaps only one year younger than the two of them. Her clothing stood out especially amongst all the others who were in their blazers. A pair of army boots gave way to black and purple leggings. A purple skirt that hung down to her knees was worn with a snug fitting black latex top. Underneath she wore a long sleeve purple shirt with ruffles around the wrist. Her eyes were almost expressionless and though her voice was sweet it too gave away nothing.
"Madeline?!" Both chimed out in chorus. Orin taking a hesitant step back while Thor took on a more combative posture. She just casually began to walk past them and look out over the railing as they had been doing, just idly paying no mind to their reactions.
"The evil is back…" Thor kept his martial stance ready as he examined her with a fierce look.
"Madeline, we haven't seen you since the incident with… well with the live chicken." Orins' expression turned into one bordering on sick as he remembered the account from the academy the year prior. Thors' face was one of physical and emotional disgust at remembering what this girl had put them through.
"I thought you got expelled for that anyways." Thor, despite a normal resolve to never hurt a woman was thinking it might not be so bad to push one overboard though.
"Just because a girl vanishes for half a semester you just assume that she was expelled. I merely had to go home and take care of some matters." Turning her head her eyes seemed to catch both of theirs as both could almost have sworn it became more difficult to move. "But I am not going to take up to much of your time. I just thought I should let you know that I am back for another year."
"Oh that's just great…" Thor said with clear sarcasm as Madeline just nodded her head to them, her body moving in sync with her head in turning and simply started to walk away. Her hand dragged along the railing and then changed to just being a single fingertips touch.
"I have some plans for a few of the new students but don't worry. You'll still be my favorite playthings."
Orin felt his body convulse slightly as he shook his head and then looked to Thor. "We're going to have one heck of a year coming up."
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Erebos started around another stair well but as he tried to open the door he noticed a keycard lock. He stood puzzled before the door opened and made him jump back, nearly falling down a few stairs.
"Hey it's that dark world kid." Several Obelisks stood silhouetted by the light escaping from the hall behind them. "Isn't that the one you wanted to speak to Loraido?"
Loraido stepped out of the shadow to become more visible. "Why don't you just announce all my plans to the world why don't-cha."
Erebos put on his normal smile as he waved to them. "Hey there guys, mind explaining to me why I wasn't given a key to this floor?"
Loraido had to bite his lower lip to refrain from laughing. "I guess no ones clued you in yet. This is the Obelisks floor. It's reserved for us first class students. You are a Ra yellow; you're on the next floor down. That key card is to prevent losers from getting in here."
"Oh so it is kind of like a plane with first class?" Erebos figured that would make sense, but he was still having difficulty comprehending the attitude with which Loraido was speaking.
"I guess we have to fill you in on the social ranking here then too. Look you see the yellow jacket you are wearing? That puts you second in line. You wait behind those in blue and you go ahead of those in red you got that?"
Erebos looked down and ran his fingers on the blazer. He hadn't figured that the colors made that big of a difference. "I knew they had something to do with ranking but I didn't think that the academy would be that severe." He was getting a little worried as his mind began to piece some of the puzzle together.
"It isn't so much the school as it is all of the students. We Obelisks are the elite. Those who attended Duel Prep school or are the very best. You are in Ra. A group known for having potential if they are taught right, or kids with already good grades. Then we have the last group, the Slifers. That would be where your scummy friend is." Loraido planted one finger up in a cautionary gesture. "And I will warn you, you'd be better off ditching him and just making yourself some new friends."
"But Bram is my best friend. We've been friends since we were little. I would never push him aside like that."
Loraido was about to scold him further on the matter before another Obelisk came rushing over to them, stopping just in time to present a folder to Loraido. "Here you go sir. It is all the information we were able to gather on that Kemah girl." Loraidos' eyes went wide with frustration as he immediately spun the flunky around and kicked him, starting to usher him away down the hall.
"Sorry kid but this is something my FRIEND and I need to talk about in PRIVATE." He said starting into a brisk walk away, letting the door close behind him and leaving Erebos in the stair well. Opening the folder Loraido read over the information before distorting the shape of the folder by crunching the edges into his fist.
"OH NO!"
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Bram entered through the door and onto the Slifer deck. He hefted his bag down beside a door and looked at his key. "Room thirty four." He then began to walk down the hallway looking at the even numbered doors. He found the appropriate door and started to put his key in before he heard the door behind him open. His social curiosity got the better of him and he turned around.
Kemah was wearing a two-piece bikini. The top was strapless and stretched to cup against her chest, the fabric sporting a twist knot in the middle. The lower portion was a thong with a string tie on either hip. The colors were a swirl of blue colors, ranging from sea blue, to midnight, and to a soft aqua color. Bram promptly dropped his key and stared openly.
Kemah closed the door of the room she was leaving and then tilted her head curiously at Bram. "Hello to you." She said still being as cheerful as she could be.
"Oh um hello." Bram quickly shook himself free of his trance and bent down to pick up his wayward key. "Sorry, I was just… um... going into my room." He thought it best that he not speak to her for the time being.
"You are squirrel boy, yes?" Kemah took a step closer in an attempt to see his face. Before he had a chance to answer her eyes lit up as she clapped her hands together. "You ARE squirrel boy!"
"Squirrel boy?" Bram didn't want to take it as an insult but he had a fair idea where the nickname had come from. He was just a bit more concerned that it had spread so rapidly. Thinking better than to argue he thought to kindly correct her. "Actually my name is Bram Swaile."
"It nice nice to meet you, I Kemah Liliuokalani from Hawaii." She put her hand out to shake his in greeting.
"It is nice to meet you too." As Bram started across the hallway he was unaware that one shoelace had come un-tied. Its length was caught beneath his other foot and he immediately fell forward and directly at her. Panicking in the swift influx of gravity, his hands reached out in an effort to catch him-self- succeeding only in latching onto the middle strap of Kemahs' top. Both bodies fell to the floor in a heap, Bram on top and Kemah on the bottom. His head planted directly into her chest. As he pulled back he couldn't help but pause very briefly getting a full view of her exposed breasts. His face became crimson red as he spun around facing away from her. The words began running out of his mouth as fast as he could form them, yet quick enough that he wasn't fully thinking them through.
"I'm sorry- I didn't mean to do that- I just tripped and tried to stop myself and ended up grabbing your top- not that I would want to grab your top on purpose- I just mean that I wouldn't want to see you like this- not that you aren't pretty! - I just think we should know one another better- not that I wouldn't MIND getting to know you better- Oh here!"
Bram let his hand reach towards her behind him and offered the top to her bikini back. Kemah took it hesitantly, wondering why he was acting so nervous all of a sudden. Unable to stop him from standing up she just sat on the floor watching him as he refused to face her. "Again I'm sorry!" He said before running towards his door, and in one fluent motion picked up his bag, inserted the key, opened the door, went inside and slammed it behind him. Out of sight he sunk to his knees and slammed the back of his head against the door. "Well that went just great…"
Kemah stayed in the hall trying to comprehend the strange behavior all of a sudden. She had only caught about half of the words he had spoken. Standing up she covered herself with the top once again. "Kemah need get more sturdy clasp next time."
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It was roughly an hour before Erebos and Bram caught back up with each other on deck. They proceeded to explore. Finding the gym, a massive spa, a lounge area, and a club that would offer Karaoke later in the evening. Over all the ship showed a great deal of promise. In their walking, Erebos explained what Loraido had said to him. Bram just sighed and looked at his blazer. This is all because I had the worst luck of my entire life that day. "Oh well we are still going to make the best of it. Maybe we'll be the ones to change how things are done around here. Heal the wounds and all that."
Both paused when one Obelisk in black and another in white started to approach them. It didn't look like they were just happening in the same direction it looked more like there was intention behind them. Bram started to get a little bit worried remembering what Erebos told him.
"Hey there guys!" The one in black greeted with a friendly wave of his hand. The blonde in white just gave a two fingered salute.
"Yo."
Ever so slowly the feeling of impending doom left them both as they relaxed. The two Obelisks were now standing in front of them and extending their hands in welcoming.
"We didn't mean to run you down or anything. Just wanted to make proper introductions." Bram noticed this obelisk despite the cruise setting was wearing dress clothes. The other stood out by height and stature alone.
"Oh it is very nice to meet you both. I am Bram and this is Erebos." Bram gave an open palmed wave in his friends' direction. Erebos shook their hands and gave a thumbs up.
"Cool to meet ya!"
The tall Obelisk almost gave a 'told you so' look at his friend who just refused to make eye contact and kept smiling. "It is very pleasant to meet you too. I am Orin Fujin-"
"Thor Njall." Thor interjected making certain Orin wasn't performing greetings for him. He then let his otherwise serious expression slowly lighten as he smirked at them both. "You know you both have reputations now. Squirrel Boy and Pajama Kid."
Erebos took on a small look of frustration, Bram meanwhile just about face planted into the ground. Not another one!
"Thor!" Orin tried to correct him for the rather blunt declaration, but Thor just laughed.
"Better they find out from us than someone else."
"Actually in all honesty I already knew about my nickname."
The group fell into an awkward silence, each for their own respective reason. Thor and Orin were suddenly reminded of Madeline's 'threat', Bram having a face red of embarrassment from remembering how he learned of his nick name, and Erebos was just silent trying to figure what the other three were thinking about.
"So who here wants to check out the pool?" Erebos shifted his shoulders and looked from one solemn face to another. "You know, get some sun, exercise, and maybe look at some of the girls."
Thor and Orin just snickered while Bram slapped his own head. "I doubt that they want to go ogle the other students Erebos."
"We don't want to ogle them but it might do you guys some good getting to know a few more students." Thor pointed down the hall in the direction they had been going. "If you keep on and take a right it should bring you out by the pool."
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Kemah was laying back in one of the deck chairs. Her bronzed skin taking in the suns rays and allowing her eyes to wander around the other students. A few had approached and spoken with her already. They all seemed nice enough if not a little weird at times. One such weird one was an Obelisk blue who assumed he must have been 'blending in' but was staring at her from one of the umbrella covered tables. He looked a little disheveled and a bit messy as he finally stood and approached her.
"Ey there!"
Kemah pushed a strand of hair back and turned her head to look at him smiling in a friendly manner.
"Aloha! I Kemah, and you?"
"Tha name's Billy Jo Doyle, I jest wanted to say yer welcome ta talk to me whenever you like. Dun let my popularity scare ya off."
Kemah could think of a few other things that would scare her off and his 'popularity' wasn't one of them. She was also a little more than deterred by the fact he wasn't making much eye contact but couldn't get his eyes up past her neck.
"Kemah will keep that in mind." She turned her body around and stood up from out of the chair. "Excuse, Kemah need go check something."
Billy waved as she was walking away, enjoying the view a little to much. Planting his hands on his hips he grew a lecherous grin. Oh ya, She wants me.
Kemah got around the corner before seeing Bram walking with the Erebos and two nameless Obelisks. A kind and familiar face was most welcome right then! "Aloha squirrel boy!" She said with a laugh and ran over. Needless to say Erebos enjoying the jog. Kemah stopped in front of them while Bram turned red with embarrassment.
"Dude you know her?" Erebos nudged Bram in the side and winked. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"We just ran into each other, that's all." Bram looked nervous and glanced back at Kemah. Her smile did sooth his worries though. Kemah bobbed her head in agreement.
"He into me ran yes, but was nice nice about it. You make introduction for Kemah?"
Bram put a hand over to indicate each one by name as he said their name.
"This is Erebos, Orin, and Thor. Everyone, allow me to introduce Kemah."
Erebos slipped over between Kemah and Bram putting on his best smile. "We were just having a look around. You're welcome to join us if you like."
"Kemah think she like that."
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The afternoon went by rather pleasantly. The two Obelisks explaining that even though many were indeed 'color prejudice' not everyone was that way. They were able to play a few duels against other students for fun in the lounge and let the time pass by freely until it was time for dinner. All were supposed to meet in the grand ballroom. A long buffet table was set up where the students could choose from a vast assortment of cuisine. Some were sitting and chatting, a few had the guts to go onto the dance floor despite the over all 'unknown' atmosphere. Most of the dancers were flirts or just people who enjoyed dancing. After sufficient time one of the proctors that was acting as a chaperone took a microphone.
"Attention students. We would like to ask that everyone clear the dance floor so that we may have an exhibition duel between two of our Obelisk students. So if anyone would like to-"
"I'll duel!" Billy ran out onto the dance floor while the proctor made a motion to wipe his face of some barbecue sauce that had stained. Billy took a few moments to figure out the signal and then wiped his sleeve along his face. "Did I get it?"
The proctor just sighed and nodded. There's one every year. "Alright duelists, we have our first participant. Do we have a challenger?"
Clearly there was no one who wanted to duel him, or at least no one eager. Half the students knew his reputation as a former regional champion, the other half just plain did not wish to duel him due to his lack of… err sportsmanship.
"Aww c'mon, no one is gonna play against a former regional champ? " He glanced over to the cluster of other Obelisk students and noticed Orin and Thor leaning against the wall. "Hey aint one of you gonna play against me? "
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Thor took a bite from the apple clasped in his hand. He was viewing from the far side of the room, with his back and the soul of his foot resting against the wall. Orin was seated at the table with a plate of vegetables and chips. Having only felt like a bit of a snack rather than the full dinner.
"Someone better duel him and shut him up quick." Thor mentioned after swallowing the food in his mouth. "He's putting out so much hot air it is going ruin every-ones food."
"You're right, so go right ahead and shut him up." Orin lightheartedly commented, only earning a glower in return.
"Jan ken?"
"Jan ken" Orin confirmed as both held out their hands and formed them into loose fists. "Roe," "Sham," "Boe!" Their declarations were simultaneous as their hands came to rest, revealing Orin's hand to be in the sign of 'scissors' and Thor's still in a fist.
"You lost, you duel him." Thor plagiarized Orins' tone of voice from before their little contest. Orin could only sigh in acceptance of his defeat while pushing himself up from the seat and walking towards the dance floor.
"Watch my food."
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Loraido was getting quite angry, if it weren't for his own small feeling of doubt he'd have gone ahead and challenged Billy right then and there. But now was not the time, he was going to wait and study his enemy just a bit, before throwing himself in front of the train.
Bram raised a hesitant hand figuring he didn't have much of a reputation to loose at this point, and could only go up from 'squirrel boy'. The proctor seemed to ignore his hand at first but after he didn't put it down the teacher decided to explain.
"While we appreciate your spirit, we were really hoping for two of our Obelisks to face off for our showcase duel."
"What's tha matta? Everyone to scared to play a champ?" Billy's gloating was finally interrupted as Orin stepped around a table and up towards the front.
"You better be careful you don't end up with a case of foot in mouth. "
The proctor smiled in relief as he motioned both young men to meet in the center of the cleared dance floor. "Ah we have our challenger! This will be a normal match between our first year Obelisk Billy Jo Doyle, and our third year Obelisk Orin Fujin."
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Thor took another bite from his apple and then reached over to take a chip from off Orins' plate to munch on. I hope he finishes this in a turn or two. I'm not in the mood to watch a turn after turn pummeling.
Loraido leaned back on the back two legs of his chair and put his hands behind his head. It doesn't matter if Billy wins or not, all that matters is I will be able to see what decks they are playing, and what rare cards I can look for.
"Hey go get em Orin!" Erebos cheered. It was strange how big of a difference a simple first impressions, could make in which he would cheer for. Bram just sat down putting his mind into a 'focus' mood.
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Orin presented his deck to be shuffled and cut, he took Billy's and shuffled it before handing it back, and retrieving his own cards. Billy started towards his side of the arena while the proctor nodded in approval, but Orin then handed his deck to the proctor. Billy stopped and stared while the proctor took Orins' deck and shuffled it.
"Ey! What-er you doin?!" He ran back over in time for the proctor to give the cards back to Orin.
"Ensuring that my deck is randomized." Orin stated calmly, then bowed to the proctor and made his way to the other side of the arena. Billy looked around and then thrust his hand with his deck out to the proctor.
"Oh ya! I wuz gonna do that too!" The proctor sighed, shuffled the deck, and gave it back.
"Duel begin!" Orin declared
Billy: 4000
Orin: 4000
"Despite being the challenger I'll let you go first Billy."
"Why thank you. I draw." Billy looked his hand over and then smiled. "I hope you dun get sore when I beat-cha in fronta every body. I'm gonna set one magic or trap card and a monster. Your go." The two spaces directly in front of Billy lit up with the flat depictions of the hidden cards.
"My draw." Orin picked up the card and closed his eyes bringing it to his forehead. "Now let me see if I can remember. The average Monarch control deck runs a basic trap line up as follow… Sakuretsu Armor, Mirror Force, Call Of The Haunted, Ring Of Destruction, and Torrential Tribute."
Billy started to sweat, mentally and physically. He put one hand on his hip and waved in a dismissive (if not slightly feminine) fashion, more to impress the crowd than the duelist who wasn't even looking at him.
"If that is the case then I am betting your face down to be…" Orins' eyes opened and pierced into Billy even from the distant gap between them. "Sakuretsu Armor."
Billy blinked a few times and made a glance at his duel disk. "Maybe, maybe not." Billy began nervously looking around, his poker face far from perfected and clearly having given off the last card mentioned to have been a correct guess. Orin simply sighed with disappointment.
"Then it appears that is game"
"What are you talking about?"
"I start by summoning Breaker The Magical Warrior." A knight with crimson and gold armor appeared before them. His shield and sword sporting the image of a 'power stone' counter, glowing with blue light. (4/1600/1000) "And thanks to his magical counter his attack increases by 300." (4/1600/1000)-(4/1900/1000) "But this counter won't be staying, I use it to destroy one magic or trap card on the field, so I choose the only viable one!" The glowing stone of the shield dimmed as his sword began to illuminate. Drawing the sword up it made a slash as an arc of energy speared the face down Sakuretsu Armor.
"Now for a magical classic, activate the power of Dimensional Magic." An Iron maiden suspended in a metal frame appeared next to Breaker. "To use this I have to have a spell-caster on my field. Now I sacrifice one monster to special summon any spell-caster from my hand." The golden coffin opened as breaker leapt inside of it. As it closed there was a flash of light before it opened again revealing a magician clad with purple armor and robes.
"Come forth Dark Magician!" (7/2500/2100) The magician soared into the air and spun its staff before laying it across his shoulders.
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Erebos moved up and leaned over the table, his eyes wide with wonderment. "A Dark Magician?! Wow how do you suspect he got a hold of a rare card like that?"
Bram was also startled. There had not been a major reprinting of the Dark Magician despite the major demand. It was known as Yugi Motos' poster board card outside of the Egyptian God cards, and most collectors had snagged them.
Loraidos' attention was caught as he stared at the powerful wizard. He immediately set in his mind a price that he would have to offer Orin another time for the card.
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"Well I still got my face down to protect me." Billy said giving his best 'sagely nod'. Orin just shook his head as the Magician brought the staff down and pointed to Billys' hidden monster. The card was suddenly propelled and locked inside of the golden coffin and both were destroyed.
"Magical Dimension then allows me to destroy a monster on the field. Your field is now clear and your life points wide open for my magician to attack."
"Go ahead, I'll still be at fifteen hundred life points."
"You're wrong, because I have two magic cards to play now. First is the equip spell card Magic Formula." The green book appeared in Dark Magicians hand as he began to read it his aura began to glow with green energy. (7/2500/2100)-(7/3200/2100) "And now, Mage Power! Which increases my monsters attack and defense points by 500 for every spell or trap on my field, of which I count two." Dark Magicians aura burst into flames as he was spreading his light around half the arena and enough to make Billy shield his eyes. (7/3200/2100)-(7/4200/3100)
"Oh gawd."
"Dark Magician, Dark Magic Attack!" The powerful sorcerer placed the book underneath his left arm and flew across to hover just above Billys' head. Drawing its staff down it unleashed a torrent of black energy over him.
Billy: 0
Orin: 4000
As Dark Magician returned to Orins' side both of them bowed respectfully and Dark Magician faded away. Some of the students gave way to cheers and others into laughter at the stunned expression on Billys' face. Orin just turned to walk back to his table and sit back down.
"Thor, I had more chips than this."
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I need to watch out for this guy. Loraido couldn't hide his interest in the deck he had just seen perform with such 'executioner' style precision. Sure it had been a lucky top deck but the third senior Obelisk had clearly done his homework on any sort of recent tournament decks.
Erebos clapped and let out a whistle. Providing his 'trade mark' thumbs up when Orin walked past. He looked to Bram and saw he was in good spirits. "Wasn't that awesome!"
Bram chuckled and shook his head. "Wow… Another one turn kill. I'm going to need to watch out for them. At the very least Billy got what was coming to him though."
"Public humiliation?"
"I was going to say that he got to experience a very honorable defeat at the hands of a rare card- but yah that fits."
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A small group of Obelisks stepped over to Billy, circling him like a school of sharks waiting for another sign of weakness to tear him asunder. "Even if he was a third year Obelisk that was a pretty big humiliation."
"You know you just put yourself on a pedestal and you just got thrashed."
"So just consider this as a simple warning, if you can't show us some dueling skill you better have some other reason we should think you worth hanging out with."
Billy started shuffling through his recent files and then recalled his conversation with Loraido in the halls the other day.
"Well I'm not one ta kiss n tell but I jus happen to be datin' that new girl Kemah."
All of them eyed him suspiciously. "Oh really? Well I guess that can't be to bad. We'll see you around Billy."
As they left Billy had to smile at himself for his 'perfect' reasoning.
All right, besides it's not as though she could ever say no ta me.
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The rest of the night passed most uneventfully. Many students danced, went for some late swim in the pool, or just lounged before going to their rooms for bed. The sun had set on the day and outside on deck the air was getting slightly colder. Orin had both hands in his blazers pockets while Thor strode along with him. Both were in deep thought more concerned about this year than they had initially expected. Their quiet musings were interrupted by an angry yell directed towards them from one of the doorways.
"Orin! You jus made me look like a idiot in front'a tha new kids."
Billy stood with one accusing finger pointed in the magicians' direction. Orin gazed at Thor with an agitated look in his eyes. He moved his lips but did not speak out loud. "I just can't get a break today." But as Orin began to turn around he felt Thor put a hand on his shoulder so both of them were standing with their backs to the ocean and now facing Billy.
"Billy, you looked like an idiot in front of the new kids long before Orin got to you."
Billy was cut to the quick by the senior Obelisks words. What made matters worse was that Thor looked to have no intention of backing down from his statement. His stature read as eager, and his height was also enough that he dwarfed Billy easily.
"You betta be careful Thor, I aint got no problem with you."
"Well I do have a problem with you." Thor folded his arms over his chest while speaking with an air of confidence. Billy now had two choices. He could push his luck and try and call Thors bluff, OR he could turn around and slink away. The latter would have been the smart choice, the first… clearly what he chose.
"Alright, you wanna settle this with'a duel then?"
"I think you got schooled in a duel already. Why not actually fight like a man in hand to hand combat?"
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The three Obelisks were unaware that Bram and Erebos were both crouched down behind the storage rack for the shuffleboard equipment. Brams' head stuck out only slightly so that he could view the proceedings while Erebos was munching on a plate of food from the buffet.
"So what's happening now?" Erebos inquired after swallowing the mouthful of food and then getting it down with a long sip from a soda can in his left hand.
"Thor just challenged Billy to a fight, and it looks like he's accepting."
Erebos spewed a part of his drink while nearly dropping the plate onto the floor. He shifted over, almost climbing over Bram in an effort to look on as well. "Oh I have got to see this."
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Billy took the duel-disk from off his arm and made a show of popping each of his joints in his upper body. Thor remained standing with his arms folded. Orin closed his eyes in acceptance of the impending fight but then lifted his head up. He turned and whispered something, to which Thor turned away from Billy and looked questioningly at Orin.
"Not a bad idea."
"So either'a you gonna charge me?"
"Ladies first." Thor replied calmly.
Billy waited for either of the other students to attack him but both stood in place and awaited the battle to come to them. Growing impatient Billy brought both hands up into fists and began to run full speed forward. Thor and Orin didn't move until the very last moment. Thor stepping to the left and Orin to the right, sufficiently opening up the gap between them and allowing for Billy to run strait in-between them and into the railing. It was then that his momentum took over and sent him falling head over heels into the waters below.
"Oh-" "Ouch…"
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Kemah was enjoying the night air, it was late and most of the students were in bed by now, but she heard some whispering from around one corner. Peering around it she noticed Bram and Erebos both sitting in eager anticipation. She looked in time to see Billy charge Orin & Thor, along with his resulting tumble. She began to worry as she ran around Erebos and Bram, almost seeming to 'appear from thin air' to see if Billy was ok.
Thinking quickly she ran back and picked up an emergency life preserver and tied a length of rope to it before sprinting full speed back to the boundary of railing and with great strength tossed the circular raft out a good several yards. Not only had she thrown for distance but also for accuracy as it landed next to Billy who was able to grab hold of it. She synched a length of the rope around her waist and the other looped around her arm so she could pull him in.
Feeling his ego building up again quickly despite the recent plummet Billy just got comfortable on the small flotation device. "Hey that weren't to bad of a throw fer a girl! I guess it weren't a stupid choice after all to let ya be my girlfriend."
No sooner had the words left his lips did Kemah's pulling cease, while she registered what he had said amongst the roar of the waves. Her bright brown eyes slowly narrowed while Orin and Thor took a nervous glance at each other and then back to Kemah, a little fearful of what was going through her mind.
"Kemah sorry, but it much much to hard for her to pull in such a muscled body." Her grip lessened as she tied off the rope along the rail and then a secondary safety knot on the deck. "Kemah go find strong man who can do it." And with that she turned and started a casual stroll back along the deck.
Thor and Orin could only stare as Kemah walked past them, not making any eye contact or recognition of the two, yet not being directly rude. It was clear that she had been quite offended by Billy's statement. It was still odd for either of them to think that the methods they had taken against Billy would go un-questioned."You aren't going to call for help?" Thor finally asked, suspecting that Kemah might have a hidden agenda. He also figured it better to get the question out now rather than spend the night fearing any repercussion from their action. Kemah turned and let her angered expression fade into a bright smile.
"Hauna ke kai o ka palani." She then thought for a moment. "Or it how you say, he is stinker. Night wash might help." She giggled again then turned and went to go below deck and go to her room for the night.
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Bram stood up and let out the breath of air he didn't realized he had been holding in. Turning around he started to walk to the nearest door leading below deck. "I think I have had enough excitement for tonight, I'm going to go to bed. Besides we need to be up right and early for when we get to Duel Academy."
Erebos licked the remnant of a small bit of ranch dip from his fingers and then discarded his drink and plate into a near by trash bin. "Yep, and we want to be at our best when we meet the rest of the new students."
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Orin put a hand on either side of his forehead and set into rubbing temples in circular motions. "Well it's time for me to go lay down. I am going to try and clear this headache and get some rest after today's ordeals. You going to bed?"
Thor looked over the distant horizon and shook his head. "Not for another hour or so. I'm going to have a look around to make sure there isn't anything out of place or out of the ordinary."
"See you in the morning then." Orin mentioned in parting. All that was left to be heard was the relaxing sound of the waves, and one voice that was either unheard or flat being ignored.
"Um Kemah? You comin' back yet?"
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Notes: Sorry on the lack of dueling going on. I promise that next chapter will have an action packed duel! Just had to get all of the 'meet and greet' out of the way.