Rivetshipping (Keith x Pegasus x Rishid)
Pegasus noticed him first. Keith probably never would have if it hadn't been for the slight movement of Pegasus' visible eye towards the shadows. "Bandit" Keith didn't have an eye for suspicion; his thoughts were completely on the upcoming match between him and Pegasus, about to be broadcast on national TV.
But Pegasus noticed things. That was the blessing and curse of the Millennium Eye. So he saw the man standing in the shadows, tall and clad in a dark cloak, his face hidden by a cowl. Pegasus considered ignoring him, and waiting to see what he would do. But that would be absolutely no fun at all, and he still had about thirty minutes before the match was to take place. It might be interesting to see how the man would react if he approached him.
So Pegasus plastered on a large smile and sauntered over to the man. Keith jerked up at the motion, glaring in Pegasus general direction.
"Hey," he said. "Where are you going?"
Pegasus ignored him. The blockhead wouldn't see a thing in the dark of the backstage, especially with his sunglasses. He'd have to come over to see what was going on.
The cloaked man shifted slightly as Pegasus walked over – it was slight, but Pegasus knew the man was surprised at the gesture.
"Hello, there," he said, smiling broadly. "How might I help you, young man? What brings you in here, hm?"
He was tall, and that cloak would be very conspicuous. It was hard to believe he had gotten past security. Keith slouched over.
"Hey, what's the big idea – huh?"
He slid his glasses down to look over them.
"Who's this guy? Security?"
Pegasus' smile faltered just a bit. He really, really wanted Keith to go away and shut up, but he couldn't force that without using the Millennium Eye, which he was loathe to do in front of an audience. So he decided to ignore him, and turned his attention towards the tall man.
"Well, don't be shy, speak up," Pegasus said.
The man shifted again.
"I was hoping to speak with you when you were alone," the man said, his voice deep and almost musical.
Pegasus blinked. So, he was waiting for him. But why?
"Oh, don't worry about him," Pegasus said, waving a hand. "Keith isn't worth much anyway; he won't remember a thing."
Keith bristled.
"Leave it for the field, old man," he growled. "Or I'll punch you now."
But now both men appeared to be ignoring him. The tall man hesitated. Then he pushed off the cowl of his cloak. Dark eyes looked out from under heavy brows. His head was shaved but for a single ponytail of black hair. Hieroglyphics decorated an entire side of his face – but these were no tattoos. These were healed scars.
Pegasus couldn't help but shudder at the sight. So...he was one of them.
"What do you want?"
Now he was on his guard, the fake smile falling away, single eye meeting dark gaze squarely.
"I don't mean any harm," the man said. "I am not technically here with permission. I had heard that you created the god cards...and you gave them away."
"Indeed."
"God cards?" Keith said, his curiosity obviously peaked.
Again, he was ignored. But the idea seemed to interest Keith, so he stayed quiet and riveted to the conversation.
"I'm not interested in the cards," the tall man said. "You needn't worry yourself on that account."
"Then what are you interested in?"
"The person you gave them to."
Pegasus's eyes half-closed, watching the man with an expression of sarcastic disbelief.
"Not interested in the cards, are you? Then why do you want to know who I gave them to?"
"She was Ishizu Ishtar, wasn't she?"
The force behind those words was unlike anything Pegasus had heard before. Was that...concern that he was hearing in the man's voice? Pegasus shifted just a bit, so that his Millennium Eye could peek through his bangs. He meant only to glance in the man's mind, to check that he had no evil intent...and he was shocked when he was almost easily deflected. He hadn't caught a single glimpse – the man hadn't even been trying, either. Pegasus doubted the man had even realized the attempt. His mind was so strong that Pegasus could not breach it.
Pegasus drew back to himself so that the carelessly strewn thoughts of Bandit Keith would not distract him. Really, that man, letting his thoughts scatter around for all to see. Pegasus had seen children with more mental protection.
"Why is this...Ishizu...important?"
The tall man hesitated.
"I just...want to make sure...she's all right."
Silence grew in the shadows. Keith was starting to shift, obviously annoyed by the turn in conversation. He wanted to know more about the God Cards...really, he was easy to read even without a Millennium Eye. And he was starting to get annoying.
Pegasus returned his attention to the stranger. Although his face was hard and guarded, Pegasus had always been good at seeing the tiny details – he had been an artist in his early years, after all. And there was the barest spark of apprehension and hope in this man's eyes.
Pegasus relaxed.
"Ishizu Ishtar? I have no idea," he said aloud, to send Keith's eyes rolling and his broad-shouldered form to slouch off. As soon as the uninterested Keith was turned away, and his attention was too, Pegasus reached into a pocket and pulled out a small slip of paper.
"I truly am sorry that I can't help you," he said, loud enough for Keith to hear. This tall man, however, was sharp. He seemed to understand Pegasus' ruse to keep the other man out of the loop. So when Pegasus handed him a slip of paper with a phone number scrawled on it – he could still remember by heart the number of that woman; he had spent many restless hours wondering whether he should call and tell her never mind – he smiled slightly, gratefully.
"Thank you anyways," he said, pocketing the paper.
Pegasus' lips twitched into part of a smile.
"Good luck," he said, and turned away.
A/N: ….. Next is Rivalshipping (Yugi x Seto).
