Chapter 23- The Beginning of Trust
"I don't trust them. That monster and that… that cat".
"Yes, I heard you the first 1500 times you said it, Yami. But like I told you 1500 times before, it's not going to change anything".
"...I haven't said it that many times."
"No, it's a….you know what, never mind. Just a wild exaggeration to make a point".
"...I still don't want them near you."
"Tough cookies. They stay."
The spirit of the puzzle glares at her. The holder of the puzzle glares right back.
(He's pouting and Youko fights go keep her lips from twitching into a smile).
Youko wonders at what her life even is nowadays. It's a new but constant feeling for her.
Here she is, sitting in her room, arguing of all things with a spirit, a week after he's woken up.
For some reason he has a deep distrust of Mahad and Lily. It's ridiculous.
(Just because they didn't come save her from that convict - it was to force him to awaken, she gets that. It doesn't mean that she had to like it at the moment, but she gets it. And she finds it utterly ridiculous that he won't just let it go when she's already forgiven everything).
Youko bites her lip when Lily appears out of nowhere and hops onto her lap.
The spirit goes from glaring (pouting) at her to turn his attention to the purring ball of fluff that's lounging on her lap, those eyes turning even more cold and furious - she didn't think that was even possible outside of direct threats.
….this is going to be both frustrating and amusing.
(In her lap, Lily purrs as she scratches his chin, a smug little kitty-smirk on his face as he looks straight at the forgotten pharaoh).
Ryou looks up from the book of patterns he's looking through when the sound of a small whistle rings out behind him. Loud enough to be heard, but quiet enough to not disturb the quiet noises of the Sewing and Design Club's room - a drawn-out noise to catch his attention.
Ryou turns around in his chair and looks up, smiling. "Afternoon, Cassandra".
Cassandra Hartlieb, ever silent and ever expressive, offers him a wave.
"Bakura-kun," she greets politely, her hands moving quickly through the air, though mindful of the basket of white fabric and thread hanging from her arm. "I was hoping we could talk?"
He blinks in surprise for a moment, more than a little confused.
It's not that Cassandra (and she insists upon nobody but teachers using honorifics and the like around them, same as her brother) has ever been openly hostile towards him or the rest of his family - far from, really. She has always been polite and formal, and though it would be difficult to find out whether or not she would say bad things behind anybody's backs, being mute and all and communicating almost solely through sign language, well… it's just not in her character. Ryou can sense it clear as day.
But Cassandra Hartlieb is also close friends with Hiro Oshitaki, and well… Oshitaki isn't exactly one of their biggest fans, though he's at least not one of the most publicly vocal about it. So you can't really blame him for being cautious, either.
That said, the smile she gives him is open - friendly, if a little nervous, but there's no hostility to sense. And so he silently moves over to make room for her, and she sits next to him, placing the basket on the floor between them.
"Is anything wrong, Cassandra?"
She shakes her head… then there's a pause as she nods, followed by a shrug.
"Wrong, but not? Wanted to say thank you. For being nice to H-A-N-A-B-I," she spells out the name with her fingers, then makes the sign for fireworks - the sign she chose for her name, he assumes - "she seems happier for it".
Ryou still remembers that evening when Mokuba had come back to their room from an early evening stroll, at the strike of nine, unexpectedly pensive. He and Yugi had tried to engage him in conversation - subtly prod and get him to speak, but he'd just quietly brushed them off to descend deep into his thoughts.
It isn't until they were all gathered in their bunks and tucked in that he'd leaned down, over the side of his bed, and whispered: "We were wrong about Yamagawa-chan".
Nothing else had been said until the next morning, but that one sentence had been enough to clue them in that something had changed the opinion of their most emotionally tuned and perceptive brother concerning the over-eager Hanabi Yamagawa.
"We were wrong about her," he'd repeated in a low whisper, barely discernible in the morning chatter. "Yama-chan's trying too hard, yes, but… she's like us. How we'd be if we hadn't had each other, I think".
It had explained so much, and while a little awkward at first, Mokuba's observation and reassurance that she could be a friend had been enough to make them open up more to her.
It's not quite friendship yet, but they're getting there quickly.
Of course… Yama-chan - no, Hanabi-chan - had made other friends before them, and while Ryou thinks she's been dividing her time between two conflicting friend groups well, it still feels more than a little awkward, and Ryou has certainly wondered what the Hartlieb siblings think of the new situation.
(He's got a bad feeling that he knows exactly what Oshitaki thinks of it, if the consistent glares are anything to go by).
Still… having the reassurance and approval of at least one of Hanabi-chan's other friends is nice.
"Oh… thank you. It's really no trouble - she's very nice".
"She is!" Cassandra signs, nodding enthusiastically. "Funny, too. But always sad? Keeping up a wall - like you. But after being friends with you, she is happier, the wall is down more… and you seem happier, too".
….
Much like everybody else, Ryou too forgets sometimes how frighteningly observant Cassandra Hartlieb can be.
When you're always silent, you're easy to overlook, and he has a feeling she knows this, too. She could have been the biggest gossip-mill in the entire school, yet she stays quiet - even without a voice she could have revealed so much, and yet…
"Of course I know nothing about any emotional walls of safety that you and your family surround yourselves with, but if I did… I would remind you that people are assholes and I have heard my fair share of mean comments, just because I can't speak. Being mute does not equal being deaf - not my fault my vocal cords are weak".
She chooses to keep quiet, which also makes her one of the kindest people in their year, in Ryou's humble opinion. Hostile friends or not.
"Thank you, Cass," he breathes out in a whisper, using the nickname he's heard Hanabi-chan call her by and which she has stated to be a favorite, an unexpected wave of relief washing over him.
Cassandra waves her hand dismissively and smiles at him. "Is no problem. Also, I would tell you that you too seem happier. Like you needed a breath of fresh air. And to not worry about Hiro, brother and I keep an eye on him".
("We know he's been more hostile than usual lately, we're looking out for you, even if we're not friends," goes unsaid, and he's grateful for it).
"So what are you working on this time, Cassandra?" He changes the subject and turns his eyes to the near endless folds of white fabric that she's spread out in front of her.
"Cloak!" She somehow manages to chirp happily through sign language and facial expression alone. "Look here," she lets go of the fabric and pulls out her sketchbook, opening it to a new page with a printed picture from Cardcaptor Sakura - a costume with a little hat and a long, white cape.
"Hana loves cosplay. Hana loves this outfit. The colors? Not so much," she points to color-swatches on the opposite page. Midnight blue and pale lavender to replace red and yellow, with a slightly more reddish shade of lavender for the hat.
All in all, it's going to make for a cute, space-themed outfit and Ryou finds himself impressed.
"That's going to look so lovely," he comments. "So what kind of materials will you be using?"
They descend into a discussion on fabrics, then. On the pros and cons of linen versus modified cotton, on weight versus breathability and movement.
Eventually, however, Cass turns her attention to his own project and asks what he's looking for.
"You are searching and imagining - what are making?"
Ryou hesitates a bit, not really willing to reveal too much about the particulars, but… so long as he keeps it vague…
"I want to make Youko-nee a pair of gloves," he explains, showing her his own pile of fabric-swatches for inspiration. "I'm a bit torn for a solution. Black lace would suit her, but it's not exactly the most… giving material, you see?" He holds up a square of lace and lightly pulls on it - it barely budges. "They'd end up very loose at the wrist to let her get them on. Purple velvet would also be lovely, but… very thick and warm, less of a feel for… everything, I guess".
Cassandra tilts her head to the side, making the tiniest of noise - an approximation of a hum, but more like a very faint hiss. Then she perks up and her hands fly into motion.
"Buttons! Brass buttons, in the cupboard - very lovely, engraved with roses. Maybe black lace… use velvet ribbon around the wrist, but with an opening to make it easier to put on? And close it with a brass button! You could make a lace ruffle, too".
That…
"Like this?" He grabs a pencil and starts sketching on a loose piece of paper. Cassandra nods and offers suggestions as they go along.
And then they keep going.
By the time club-hours are over and it's time to go back, he's got his materials and a book full of ideas for more gloves and matching parasols and a cute little vest and skirt combo that he's not quite sure who he'll make it for, but it's going to be amazing!
They split up in the front hall as Cassandra goes off to find her brother and he heads to the kitchens to help out with that night's dinner preparations. About halfway to the gardens behind their building, she turns around and offers him a wave.
In a private chat room:
UnitingTheStorm: Goooood Evening, Sunshine!
UnitingTheStorm: How are the tech-demons treating you today?
BallOfEffinSunshine: *muffled screams of frustration* "This would be so much easier with the technology that won't even exist for several more years."
UnitingTheStorm: Lol, probably. I mean, you never know, development is happening so quickly these days.
BallOfEffinSunshine: True. RSI, Apple, and the like are all creating some amazing things.
UnitingTheStorm: *Swoons* Preach. Could do without Apple being so shady, but hot damn RSI.
UnitingTheStorm: Speaking of, when are you getting me that date with Seto Kaiba? ;)
BallOfEffinSunshine: Oh definitely. They're totally making breakable things to get more money.
BallOfEffinSunshine: You give me a date and time and I'll set it all up ;)
UnitingTheStorm: Lol.
UnitingTheStorm: But seriously, how's that new project of yours coming along? You were talking about an issue with a weird noise in the forum?
UnitingTheStorm: I ran into something that sounds similar awhile back, and I thought this guide from Yama-Tech Inc.'s repair division was very helpful
UnitingTheStorm: [link]
BallOfEffinSunshine: had to put everything on hold for a while unfortunately
BallOfEffinSunshine: some family stuff popped up and then school. All my social media has suffered a bit.
BallOfEffinSunshine: Which, ya know, that's fine. It's only in the last year that my grandfather let me be more active and even make some accounts.
BallOfEffinSunshine: oh! That helps a lot! Thank you!
UnitingTheStorm: Glad I could help!
UnitingTheStorm: Are you okay? Do you need me and my sisters to send a care package?
BallOfEffinSunshine: Well, aside from being haunted by some ancient spirit, (who needs serious therapy btw) I'm all good. Tho a care package will never be turned down ;)
UnitingTheStorm: ….you say some strange things now and then, Sunshine, but sure!
UnitingTheStorm: I'll send some goodies from Germany.
BallOfEffinSunshine: True. But most people think I'm being sarcastic. Or fatalistic. Or, well you get the point lol
BallOfEffinSunshine: Yes. Please. Those special ginger pretzel cookie things dipped in dark chocolate are divine. (And my evil family found mine and ate them all, the traitors)
UnitingTheStorm: You, sarcastic or fatalistic? But you're a ball of effin' sunshine! How could they ~possibly~ think that?
UnitingTheStorm: Gotcha, they'll be on their way soon. And some Haribo and chocolate.
BallOfEffinSunshine: Who knows? ;)
BallOfEffinSunshine: *throws confetti* yay!
BallOfEffinSunshine: Man do I have so much to do for my social media tho. I've got some ideas to rework and then more to start for several projects
BallOfEffinSunshine: Thanks for your input btw, I've been able to get the new look and content down and have a schedule and game plan for what's to come and when
UnitingTheStorm: No problem! I can't wait to see what you'll come up with!
BallOfEffinSunshine: Maybe now that things have settled, we can work on a collaboration like you mentioned a while back!
UnitingTheStorm: Oh, hell yeah! I've got a melody and some tentative lyrics I think you'll love!
BallOfEffinSunshine: great! I've got some of my own lyrics and music ideas to share with you as well!
UnitingTheStorm: This will be the most hyped collab ever, mark my words.
UnitingTheStorm: The turbulent DJGalestorm and magical Melodious Midnight uniting their powers for chaotic good!
UnitingTheStorm: Or chaotic neutral, I'm not picky.
BallOfEffinSunshine: Chaotic good, that's so us, lol
UnitingTheStorm: You haven't met my little sister, then.
UnitingTheStorm: Now that's chaos, even if she's still figuring out her alignment.
BallOfEffinSunshine: lol. My younger siblings are like that too
BallOfEffinSunshine: speaking of. Gotta go now. I'm being called for homework and big sister responsibilities it seems.
UnitingTheStorm: Alright. I better get to sleep, too. I've got a class on music theory early in the morning.
UnitingTheStorm: And Effie - that is, my roommate - is glaring at me ^^;
UnitingTheStorm: Night, Sunshine!
BallOfEffinSunshine: lol. Night! Good luck in class! Next time we're free we can start work on the collab!
UnitingTheStorm has left the chat.
What Cassandra is making: . /ccs/images/1/14/Return_Star_Cape_ /revision/latest?cb=20180808033524
A/N: Hey everyone, I finished my winter finals - now I just have to write my Master's Thesis, and then I'll graduate university! And I can write fic again, woohoo!
Jubilation at my freedom aside (and looming quest for a job), let's talk about this chapter. The unintentional theme here is trust - I say unintentional, because we didn't plan for it. One one hand, we have the budding trust between Yami and Youko - the Sun Team, if you will. The thing we want to show here is that just because they have been able to vaguely communicate with each other for years, it doesn't mean everything is automatically smooth sailing. Yeah, some things are a little different - Yami is less inclined here to just push Youko out of the way and handle every possible threat, but it means he has to deal with her disagreeing with him and being perfectly capable of overruling some of his decisions and opinions. Youko, on the other hand, has to deal with him being very vocal about what he perceives as issues and threats - issues and threats he will not budge on.
Point is, they don't automatically trust one another - trust takes time, and while they've had contact for years, they've only just really met and now have to cohabitate and learn to trust the other's judgement.
Second up is Ryou and Cassandra. It might not seem like there's a lot going on, but think about how she's a close friend of one of the Domino Q's most vocal dissenters. Hiro's no bully, but he doesn't hide that he dislikes them - thus they're not inclined to trust him, nor really those who surround him. Hanabi is the first exception in a long time, but only because they finally got more insight into her true motives and personality. It's a bit the same Ryou's going through with Cass here, and vice versa. Cass doesn't know enough about the Mutou Clan and situation to feel like she has an opinion, but she can feel like so many others that they don't really fit in. That said, she's genuinely grateful that they've let Hanabi into their circle and wants to see for herself what they're really like, starting with Ryou.
In time, more trust will be built and new friendships formed. But again - it takes time.
Finally, some hints and another reminder that this fic was supposed to be a social media AU. But we got carried away with building up the world, and well… shit happens. But who is the mysterious DJGalestorm? Keep following the story, and you just might find out ;)
That about does it from me. Big thanks, as usual, to all of our lovely commentators and those of you who followed and left kudos - we love you all!
See you guys next time for more Caught in the Game!
NordicTwin.
A/N:
Hey everyone! I hope you all have been well! Thank you for waiting!
Nordic covered most of the important things in her a/n.
Was a bit of a struggle to write this chapter. Unfortunately some just are like that. Some easy to get out and others sit there and frustrate you.
We definitely lost sight of what we started this fic out as, which was to be a social media au. And then we got distracted by other ideas and adding ocs. And then world building, man can that really distract a person lol.
As you've seen by now, we have had many minor crossovers with other series. There will probably be more. These are mostly for fun and because we can. We love the other series mentioned and thought "why not?" We'll never really go far into the other series in this tho. Maybe oneshots or other things, but this is a yugioh fic lol.
Also on usernames, they'll change often for group texts. But we'll keep a list of who is who at the end of chapters. Social media names will stay the same though.
Shoutout to all of the people who viewed and all of our current followers and faves and our new followers and favorites (Alverd, neotheanimict, PyroKitsune, mothedman, lastrap1412, A Challenger Named John, Dolce Arietta, RadiantStarlight, Betoran, Looking4Magic, Rina Hawaki, Yui123, and Konami-kun 2000) And thanks to everyone who left Kudos!
And EXTRA thank yous and love for the reviews/comments!
Please, PLEASE leave us comments and reviews, especially if you have any questions or are confused! We love them so very much! We get motivated to write when we get reviews!
Thanks again to the amazingly talented and lovely Moirei for Beta-ing for us, as always :)
Anyways, that's all for this chapter. Stay safe and have a good rest of your day, week, or month(s). Until next time!
C. S. Stars
Edited/Beta by Moirei
Finished & Published: March 6, 2020