"Being Human 101"
(There will be people and things mention in this chapter like names school staff and things involving cleaning. This is all drawn from my real life. All the things happening at the high school are what I went through when I was there and the all cleaning stuff mention is what I do Monday – Friday for my paycheck so yeah drawing from real life here!)
Yami was completely ignorant to the trouble stirring up back home in Xanadu. He, along with Yugi had just got back to the game shop, after his first day in a human school. The day had brought a great deal of surprises for him. The initial shock of seeing that the school was co-ed and how very different all the people were was a great shock, but the biggest one had come at the end of the day.
He had been gazing out the window while all the other human adolescents were engaging themselves in some type of strange ritual of some kind. Yugi seemed to be a master of whatever this ritual was.
He'd observer that this ritual was preformed with thin pieces of square parchment Upon a closer look he was amazed that imprinted on these parchment that Yugi called "Cards" where the Divan Beasts of Xanadu! Yugi and his friends called this ritual a "game' it was called "Duel Monsters"
It seemed that the objective was to use the powers of the Divan Beasts, aided with the help of Immortal Objects along with Magical Punishments to annihilate your opponent's life force. It would seem that the youths and many of others of this strange planet did this for "fun." He didn't grasp any of the concepts centered on "fun" or "game."
When a young man whom he'd mistaken for his cousin at first, mocked him along with his new friends, that weird and wonderful sensation from yesterday returned. It was like a fire and he had challenged the man known as Kaiba to a "Duel" as this ritual was called. Yugi had lent him his "deck" as the collection of "cards" where called.
He had surprised everyone including himself with how well he could play. Kaiba was using some kinda of human synthetic magic to make the Divan Beasts seem authentic on the other hand he knew that they're forgeries. He felt like an extra new sensation or two was emerging within him, at the same time as the Duel was played out. Though he'd experienced a strange vision when the Duel was reaching its epic climax. Something he still wasn't completely sure of what to make out it.
Kaiba had the Legendary Blue Eyes Ultimate Dragon. She was the queen of dragons and one of the most powerful Divan Beast ever. He had seen what her power was capable on more then one occasion back home. He felt for a few moments helpless as well as hopeless in front of her and Kaiba.
He tried to commit to memory what Yugi had told him on the subject of his philosophy "The Heart of the Cards," but couldn't feel anything. How can one believe in the Heart of the Cards if they didn't have a heart of their own? The only way he win was if he drew the final piece to Shimon's friend Exoida. But what were the chances he do it? The deck seemed to sense his fear as well as doubt then out of nowhere Yugi and all his new friends where in his mind and helped him draw the final piece and win.
He tried to be a good sport and be nice with Kaiba like he seen the other kids do but Kaiba shoved him to ground and ran. As they walked home Yugi put in plain words to him that Kaiba's ego was bruised, what's more he'd allowed his heart to become stone. He'd be doomed to remain a little more then a golem unless he opened himself too others and the world. At what time that happened he'd be human once more.
Yami didn't have much time to analyze Yugi words as they went inside. Both removed their shoes and put on their slippers. They didn't see Grandpa so they went into the kitchen looking for him. They found a serving dish jam-packed homemade muffins and tea waiting for them and could perceive sounds from Solomon in the other room.
Yami thought it was strange that the kindly old man would be speaking to himself as well as holding a strange bone like device to his ear. Yami just sat at the table with Yugi and enjoyed their snack at the same time as Grandpa finished his call.
Solomon came out in a hurry as he got a jacket from the coat rack he seemed to miss that his grandson and new houseguest were home. "Uh Grandpa? Where you going?" asked Yugi as his Grandpa was almost out the door.
"Oh Yugi! I didn't hear you or Yami come home! I'm afraid I'm in a bit of a rush. Professor Hawkins just called. I've got some important documents and photos he needs for a presentation at the university this weekend. So I've got to go drop those off and do a few more errands. I posted a list of chores that you and Yami can do. I'll pick up a pizza for dinner ok?"
"That'd be awesome, Grandpa! Make sure its spicy sausage and please pick up a box of cinnamon sticks as well!" Yugi told him happily.
"Ok well now I'm off!"
"Uh Grandpa you forgot your headband!" Yugi laughed as he gave his grandpa his trademark bandana.
"Oh thanks Yugi. Don't know what I do without you!"
"Um pardon me Mr. Moto…"
"Yami please call me Grandpa. Everyone does,"
"Ok huh Grandpa. These "chores" these are your orders? The tasks you require done to the letter with no mistake at all right?" he asked them. They looked a bit confused.
"Yami I'm asking you to help around the house and shop in exchange you can live here. I'm not ordering you do anything. I'm asking you politely if you can do the things that need to be done, done. If you make a mistake no big deal just learn from it," Grandpa told him.
"Yeah Yami everyone does chores it's how kids without jobs get money. They do their chores and get an allowance for it. Have you ever done any kind of work a day in your life?" inquired Yugi to Yami who shook his head.
"No I've never done much of anything. I only asked because back home my father gives a great deal of orders out. These tasks he gives out are expected to be done quickly and with no slip ups of any kind or you'll face punishment. I will do my best too fulfill your wishes, Grandpa. You won't need to penalize me," he informed them both with a bow.
"Yami, if you really give your fullest efforts then I'm happy. Just doing good hard work and doing it well is important. Now I've got to get going. I'll be back by 6. The chores are on the fridge. Yugi please assist him," he said as he left.
"C'mon let's see what needs to be done. You've by no means done chores before?"
"No,"
"Hmm," Yugi went to the fridge where a neon green plastic clipboard was stuck on. Yami looked at fridge for moment and thought like all the other devices it was very weird and wonderful too gaze at. Still it was only one of countless magnificent new things, to explore in addition to finding out more about, in this peculiar yet breathtaking new world around him.
"Ok what he's wants me to do is highlighted in azure. What he wants you do is highlighted in jade. So here you got too do these ones," Yugi explained to Yami who was still very bewildered.
The terminology he was reading before his beautiful amethyst eyes was like nothing he'd heard of before. They felt so, alien as he tried to get them off his tongue. He tried to annunciate the words but he kept tripping over his own tongue.
"Va…Vac…Vacuum? Spray and clean all glass surfaces? Collect gar…gar… garbage? Swe…sweep and mop? Clean the bathroom?" he read inadequately out loud his tasks inventory, with a very genuine look of utter confusion across his attractive face.
Yugi looked up from his household tasks list. He stared at Yami for a moment then sighed. "C'mon Yami, I'll show you how too get started and you can take it from there," as they walked to a small laundry room, there was a metal cabinet on the back wall.
Yugi calmly walked up to it and undid the combination lock. Inside this strange metal wardrobe were an assortment of bottles, boxes, outlandishly shaped buckets on wheels, along with storage bin, chock-full of long handles sticks with odd things at the ends of them.
Yami watch as Yugi got a small ladder to help him reach some of things. Then he watched as he started to put some of bizarre concoction bottles along with paraphernalia on one side of a weird dark green plastic basket and blue rags on the other. He set them aside on top of the washer. Then he pulled out two of the bright yellow square buckets on wheels.
"Ok pay attention Yami, I'm only go show you just this one time," he said as got what looked like an IV bag full of thick yellow liquid out of one of the boxes. Taking some scissors he held the bag in front of Yami who was paying close attention to his instructions. He didn't want to be punished for making a miscalculation.
"Ok you just need to snip the corner of this like so," as he demonstrated, "then you slowly squeeze the cleaner out into the mop bucket. Now this one I just did if for all the titled areas that aren't the bathroom. The bathroom needs a different cleaner," he said as he got an old measuring cup and filled it only to a red line with blue liquid and dumped it into the other bucket. "Now you fill up each mop bucket. Be careful, don't get sloppy and make a big mess," Yugi said as he handed Yami a hosepipe to fill the buckets up with.
"Uh Yugi, what's this thing? Furthermore how too I use it in addition to that inquiry just what exactly do I fill those buckets up with?"
Yugi stared at him for a moment. He thought quietly in his mind, "Boy Yami must've been incredibly isolated in addition to being kept on an extremely short leash by his dad. Wherever he from and whoever his dad is, he done an extremely good job at making sure Yami can't think for himself or live on his own. I'm just going to have be extra patient if I'm going to help him,"
"Here I'll show you how to use it," as he took the hose back. For a moment their hands where touching the same spot on the hose. Yami gaze at Yugi's face as it for a spilt second turned crimson and he felt his own face feel like a small fire was lit for a moment.
Yugi seemed not to have, become aware of the strange coloring. As it came and went from his beautiful face. He just turned a flower shaped knob and out of the strange tube came water. He filled them both up without making a mess.
"Ok I'll take this one out to the shop so you can mop it later. Take the other one too the bathroom and leave it outside the door for now. Make sure both are out of the way so no accidents happen ok? Then we'll move the brooms where they need to be along with the rest of the supplies, Kay?" he said as he struggled to move his bucket, "I warn you these buckets are in serious need of an oiling. Try not to spill ok? I don't want Grandpa too hurt his back."
Yami did as Yugi command and found out he wasn't telling falsehood. Moving this infernal bucket wasn't unproblematic. It kept going everyway but the way he wanted and sometimes refused to move all together. This blue stick with long wet strings at the end wasn't helping much to steer this thing to the desired location. After 10 minutes he finally managed to get the bucket to where Yugi had wanted it. He then returned to the laundry room where Yugi was waiting.
"Here this broom goes with bathroom and here a brush and dustpan to clean up what you get. The dust mop and other broom and pan go to the other parts of the shop,"
"Why do you've so many brooms? Wouldn't it be easier to use just one?"
"It would Yami. On the other hand then we'd be cross-contaminating. We want as few germs as possible. Here while you're at take the vacuum into the living room. Then after your done come back here and I'll get you really started."
"Started I thought we had?"
"No this is just getting everything where it needs to be so we can start,"
He then dragged the strange device to its desired location before returning to the laundry room. Yugi was putting some pasty synthetic skin over his hands. He handed a pair of these skins too Yami who put them on.
"Yeah I know that these latex gloves feel funny and they really dry out your skin. However with all the cleaning we're going to do moreover when you get the trash it's best to keep your hands uncontaminated. You don't know what touched what you're cleaning. Please change them after you complete each chore or if they rip," Yugi said as he got two rolls of garbage bags. One was long and thin and the other was thick and fat. He unrolled the thin one and tore one large bag off. After shaking it open he gave it too Yami along with the other roll.
"Ok this is extremely straightforward Yami. You go to every wastebasket in the shop along with the house. You then remove the one inside the trashcan. Then you tie the bag up and throw it in the big one and replace it ok? Oh and too save some space if there isn't too much try putting some bags in with the other. As soon as all the trash has been collected you take it out to the dumpster out back ok? You understand?"
'Yes I think I comprehend what I'm supposed too do. What are you going to do at the same time as I carry out this operation for Grandpa?"
"Um let's see what does he wanted me to do?" pulling out the list and reading out loud. "Sort the recycles, smash cans, fold laundry and put it away, organize the store, use a magic eraser on the walls, water the plants, and clean the kitchen up. Don't be concerned Yami I put the "closed" sign on the door so no customers will come in unannounced ok? Just holler if you need me ok?" Yugi told him brightly with a big smile on his cute face. With that he turned and went to the kitchen.
Taking a deep breath Yami prepared for the first time in his life to do actual work. There where at least 12 different wastebaskets, it should've been no problem to do as Yugi had instructed him. However it seemed he would be unsuccessful from the very beginning.
First few times he ended up spilling the gross contents of these vile urns. One time as he was leaving the study to go get the next one in the living room he picked up the bag from the wrong end. All of the bits and pieces came out; luckily it was mostly shredded paper. Finally after half an hour he was through collected the trash. He tried to carry the bag but its weight surprised him and he fell to his knees when just before he got to the dumpster the bag came apart.
He let loose a howl of aggravation as he laid there on the ground. He had accidentally with his outburst caused his magic to run amok. All the trash cans on the block did a very good impression of Old Faithful, as their lids went sky high!
"Uh? Ahh!" Yami cried rolling out the way as one of those lids nearly took his head off. 'Yami! Yami! You ok?" cried Yugi as he came running and did a quick double take. "Whoa what happened?" he asked as he began to help him pick up the loose trash.
"I don't know, Yugi. I just botched in my first task and then these metal urns exploded!"
"I guess some jerks put cherry bombs in the trash cans for a second time. Some immature dropouts did that practical joke two years ago. Guess they thought it was funny enough to try again," he muttered as they finished scooping up the garbage.
"I am extremely remorseful, Yugi. I failed miserably in doing my first assignment," Yami informed the young boy, in a very down in the dumps manner, at the same time as they walked back inside together.
"Yami the bag spilt. No big deal. It happens a lot and you got the trash collected and outside didn't you? Isn't that what the job was?"
"I guess," he replied with a forlorn look etch upon his handsome features.
"Ok just vacuum every single one the rooms with carpets. Go slowly so it will pick up. Heads up though we've been through like 3 vacuums in the past three months. So if you start to experience troubles don't be so surprised ok? Now I've got to finish up with the stuff in the kitchen ok? After your done vacuuming you can clean all the glass surfaces, you then sweep out everything. Then you do the bathroom and then finish up front in the shop. Piece of cake!"
Yami still looked like something was still bothering him. Still with an encouraging smile from Yugi he went to the vacuum cleaner and tried on his own how to work it. After 20 long and equal frustrating minutes he managed to get it figure out.
He put the lengthy orange tail tip, of the black bulky apparatus, into the black wall square with little holes. Then flipping a button he started the gadget up. Unfortunately he was not expecting the mechanism to be so deafening when it was operational. He reacted like a frighten kitty. His feet got tangled up in the cord and slipped. He fell quickly over banging right into a chair as well as hitting his head on a low shelve when he got up.
"Ow. Is Father trying to still punish me? Does the whole universe hate me?" he moaned as he got up and tried to go on. He really wanted to do this right but he just couldn't seem to do it at all right.
However, it just seemed today was just not his day, when it came too the chores asked upon him too do. It just seemed the whole lot he did, he'd fail at miserably to achieve in the approved manner. This included not getting everything swept up correctly. Exceptionally poor job at cleaning the glass surfaces, way too much water from the mop on the floor because of not wringing it out correctly as well as not mopping in the correct technique, falling on his butt when he bent down to tie his shoe. Not doing a very good job at really cleaning the sink, mirror and toilet.
(Please note like I said above I clean for my paycheck. This and what going to happen when we get back to the school is what I've lived through. I'm not trying to bash Atem here. But I had to struggle and make many mistakes at my job till I learned to do it correctly. So yeah everything so far I wrote with this cleaning bit. It all happened to me. So no this isn't bashing this is just real life for me)
Yami was upset as he finally finished mopping the store. Though it'd he'd left a small lake as well as numerous dry spots behind him. His whole body ached all over and his hands where very red from all this work. Still even as he empty his dirty mop water it was clear he wasn't happy at all with his work.
Yugi watch in silence as Yami began to throw a small fit. He seemed to be very upset with himself and he seemed ready to 'punish' himself once more. Yugi decide to try something to get his new friend mind off his frustration long enough to avoid him trying to hurt himself.
He quickly turned on the radio and just as Yami was about to bang his head on the metal cabinet the song "Savin' Me" by Nickleback began to drifted through the small home. He stopped trying to hurt himself and went too the living room where the astonishing sound was originating from.
For some weird yet wonderful reason this out of the ordinary melody was actually making him feel very good. It was also seemed to be inducing some kind of a daydream state in his mind. For the reason that as the beautiful words came out of the unusual music box he saw imagery in his mind. Breathtaking images all racing through his mind; they were so out of this world that his resentment at himself evaporated into thin air.
As the song ended he looked up at Yugi who was calmly sitting on the futon. "That was wonderful! I've never heard such wonderful music. That was the most uplifting and invigorating music I've ever heard in my life!"
"That was "Savin' Me" from a band called "Nickleback" they got a lot of good songs. That one's my favorite. Oh here another good song. This song is called "Let me go" by Three Doors Down. They listen to the radio for a little while till Yugi thought he was calm enough to talk to.
"Yami?" he spoke quietly. But the boy didn't look at him. He seemed too lost in the music. "Yami?" he said a little louder as final lyric to the song "I'm with you" by Avril LaVigne "Won't you take me by the hand, take me somewhere new, I don't who you are but I'm with you,"
"Sorry Yugi I do apologize for not responding the first time. This music is doing something too me,"
"Music, Yami is one of the few universal things. I figured you've gotten yourself pretty wound up and just need too unwind a bit. I understand you're angry at yourself for not doing so well with the chores. But it's isn't as big a deal as you're making it out too be. No one in the universe ever does something right their first crack at it. You can't walk till you learn to crawl. Why is it so important too you to get simple mundane things done right or anything for that matter right with no mistakes of any kind?"
He closed his eyes for few minutes and let out a sigh. "I can't make a mistake. I'm not suppose too nor are any of my people are supposed to make mistakes. We are supposed to be at all times perfect without flaw, perfect and beautiful till the end of time. We're supposed to the superior to all other races. If you make even the slightest mistake the penalty is in no way kind to say the least,"
"It's sounds to me like your father is trying to emulate Hitler or any other of the millions of insane tyrants that have made that claim."
"I've never heard that name before. To tell you the truth the only culture my Father thinks was as close to perfect as it would ever be was the world of ancient Egypt. Father is obsessed with everything being attractive in addition to unblemished. I'm required to be perfect, sadly however I've never even been close," Yami admitted as he gazed out the window at the twilight skies.
Before anymore could be said the front opened and shut. "I'm home! Got the pizza! How the chores go?" Grandpa asked as he carried in the Pizza Hut Italian Bistro Boxes.
"We got them done Grandpa. But Yami didn't do so hot at his first shot," Yugi whispered quietly as he took the pizza. "Well I'm sure by the end of the week it will be much easier. All things get better in time with practice,"
Later before bed both boys where in Yami's room. They had done the dishes together so he could feel a bit better about doing one thing right. Now they where trying to build Yami his own deck.
"Remember Yami you've got to choose the cards your heart tells you. They have to be able to work together furthermore they have to be able to reflect what's inside your own heart. Duels are about having fun and making friends. They teach you important life lessons also. Like how your first duel taught you self-confidents and faith. So what cards are speaking too you?"
He gazed at over a billion cards. Each of these cards reminded him of home. Yet all the Divan Beasts on the cards he could think of a better word for it. Well they looked like they're happy! In all 17 years of his life he never had seen any of his people look so high spirited. He also understood that they deserved a great deal of respect. More then they received in Xanadu that much was sure.
He had only begun to decide on his first few cards when Grandpa came into the room. "Sorry boys. Its 10:30 both of you need to get in bed. It's a school night. You can pick this up later ok?"
"Ok. You gonna be ok tonight Yami? You can sleep in my room again if you need too," Yugi said as he got up and stretched.
"No I think I can handle being by myself tonight. I already used the bathroom."
The second day at school was a lot harder to handle then the first. Yami woke up with an extremely ghastly sensation in his stomach. His head felt exactly how Zeus felt when Athena was trying to get out and he had random spasms of unexplainable pain.
He was sitting in homeroom trying with all his might not take into account his problems. He couldn't help but overhear scores of overlapping conversations. Some of it had too deal with the Duel Monsters game. On the other hand a great deal more had too deal with certain manuscripts and things found inside the magic box that showed other worlds within it. He didn't understand some of the language that was being used either and he saw a great deal of the students have various devices for entertainment and communication.
He was about to ask Yugi more about what was going on when the homeroom teacher came in. The homeroom teacher was named Mrs. Bertram. She was an older woman with short faded blonde hair. Like many of the teachers at the high school she taught a lot of things. She was the Occupations and Work Experiences Teacher. But for 20 minutes every morning they had to sit with her in total silence as they last few things where set up and announcements where made over the PA. Then they where released and the real long and chaotic day would begin for them.
"I hope all of you've commit to memory that you're not supposed to have your cells on or able to be seen during school hours. What's more keep in mind you can't use someone else assignment book to go get a drink or use the bathroom. You have to use your own or you get nothing. Remember you've got five minutes to get to your class. So don't duddle or you'll be facing detention or if you really act up Saturday School. I do believe none of you kids want too be here with the long weekend coming up," she said pushing her glassed up as she finished doing the mandatory paperwork.
Yami was being quiet but that feeling wasn't going away. It was like he was being ripped apart on the inside with a burning carving knife. His Puzzle then gave off a faint glow and all the phones both the schools and the student's cell phones all went off loudly. All the kids where worried that their cells would be taken but thankfully they weren't.
Still as they left homeroom that pain was only getting worse by the minute. The first class of the day was Food and Nutritious with Mrs. Boyle. The classroom was a large room with six tables in the middle and there where six small kitchens three on each side. All the kitchens looked the same. Each had a lot of large brightly colored letter magnets and there were a lot of things spelled out. Some of it was not as mature as the rest. In view of the fact that they only cooked every other week this week was about studying out of their books.
They began to review different tableware, proper etiquette, kitchen safety. Yami was amazed that there was so much too actually do before the wonderful food and drinks where even severed. Joey and Tristan on the other hand where moaning and groaning on how stupid all this was.
"Who really gives a damn how you set a freaking table? I mean if you care about the silverware more then the food you must be nuts!" Joey whined noisily as he played paper football with Tristan.
"Yeah it is so dumb! I mean how many forks or spoons does anyone really need? Just use one! It's so beyond dumb to have a special fork or spoon for one thing!" Tristan more or less yelled as he flicked the paper football right into Joey's forehead.
"Joseph! You and Tristan can stand out in the hall until the end of class! March! Now!" Mrs. Boyle ordered the goofs sternly who looked a bit embarrassed more so when everyone was laughing at them.
"Man! That was brutal! I hate it that adult's think they can throw their weight around just because someone acts human! We've a right to voice our opinion!" bitch Joey when the gang met up again on their way to their next class.
"I would consider you very luckily Joey. If you had voice your tongue like that in my home you've a far worse penalty then just standing in the hall," Yami told him as he wiped the water off his chin. He then winced in pain all over again. It was getting worse.
"You ok Yami? Maybe you should go see Nurse Dombroski. She can't give anyone a lousy aspirin because it against school policy, but you could lay down if your sick," Tea told him sympathetically but he shook his head.
"No I'll be fine, Tea I'm sure it'll pass,"
She looked unconvinced by his words but didn't say anything because of the warning bell. They ran till the got to English Class. According to Yugi the pretty young woman Ms. Matha was a new teacher. The old one had retired last year and she was teaching her first real job. She looked like a very calm and sweet woman.
Ever student grabbed a duplicate of a tome and a folder. He looked over the tome it had a tree and eyes with a strange medal on the front. There was an inscription on the back on the front was the word "Speak"
"Ok now we last left in the book what had Melinda just admit happened to herself that night at the party?" Ms. Matha asked the class but to her disappointment but not her surprise the majority of the class particular a great deal of the one's with testosterone were being jackass and a lot of the girls were even more worse behave.
Yami was render speechless by how much chaos was going on. He had seen people disrespect authority before but this was so unreal. This class was beyond dishonorable and very much lacked respect along with maturity! He was shocked a great deal when Tea got up and began to yell and then punch a few of the more disobedient jerks. Yugi with the rest tried to restore order too chaos. Needless to say they didn't get a single thing done in that period at all.
The following classes where in Biology with Mrs. Schwingle where all of the science equipment acted like it was possessed. Computers with Mrs. Christensen where there was a minor blackout. They'd a short lunch where the soup lady Mrs. Trujillion gave free soup Yugi for he had help two weeks ago with a minor crisis. She and Yugi exchanged a few words over something called "Survivor" as he got them their free soup. However as soon as they sat down to eat all of the food in the cafeteria out of the blue explode making one huge mess.
Then it was Math with Mr. Carles who wasn't just a math teacher he was also a highly successful real-estate man as well. He was teaching them how to really manage their money and wasn't afraid to give it too Kaibutt who act up a bit being the resident money man. P.E. with Mr. Sibert was rather dull to say the least. Yami changed in a bathroom stall so no one see his wings. All they ended up doing was walking around the gym or shooting hoops. Yami soon found out they did this just about everyday so yeah it was rather dull.
The last class before free period was Life Management and Parenting taught by Mrs. Kalel. A few kids made a friendly joke with the pretty teacher concerning her name. They asked her if her husband was done saving the world and be home in time so she could polish his boots and play with his cape. Or was he too busy up north in the Fortress of Solitude. Yami had no clue what they were babbling on about but liked it that the teacher seemed to have a sense of humor and just laughed with the joke.
They opened their books and began to read the difference between newborns and toddlers. It was five minutes till the end of class when a young girl came in. She had a red necklace with a plastic card. This meant she was a Runner or a student who did errands for the offices for certain periods of the day. She gave Mrs. Kalel a yellow slip of paper and left. Reading over the paper she turned too Yugi and Yami who were doing the worksheet for today lesson. They just finished the last question when she tapped Yugi's shoulder.
"Huh? Oh hello Mrs. Kalel. We just finished the worksheet. Is there a problem?" asked Yugi courteously to the woman with golden tresses.
"No real problem. The office just would like it if you could bring Yami down. Dr. Brainard would like too have a discussion with him for awhile is all. I'll send word with your friends that you won't be in free period so you two aren't marked absent ok?"
"Ok come on Yami. Let's get going. Dr. Brainard office is located on the first floor near one of the exists," Yugi said as he collected their belongings. Mrs. Kalel finished his assignment book and off they where.
"Yugi like I told Tea earlier, I'm not sick. I don't need to see a doctor of medicine," Yami said as they past the elevator and reach the stairs. Yugi chuckled a bit and explain to Yami. "Dr. Brainard isn't a medical doctor she is one of the school therapist. She as well as Mr. Lamb talk to the students and help them work out their problems. In view of the fact that you're new she just wants to get too know you is all. Everyone has had a discussion with one or both of them on one occasion,"
He tried to relax but then that overwhelming feeling hit harder then ever. He was so preoccupied by this feeling he accidentally ran into a teacher. "Oh sorry! I do apologize I wasn't looking where I was going," he told the young woman. She looked so young you think she was a student not a teacher.
"It's ok. You apologized and help pick up my papers. That is very good manners. Oh hi Yugi how are things going for you?" she asked as she shifted the papers so they be easier to carry.
"Fine everything is going great, Mrs. Plym. How are you're sons doing?"
"Well since they are still very young like one is almost 2 and the other is only a few months it's rough but I'll get through it. Well I've got to get back to Pride and you two better get where you're going before the hallway becomes so back it like trying to swim through a river infested with Nile Crocodiles," she said as she head off on her way.
"She teaches a class about pride?" Yami asked clearly baffled as they continued to the desired location.
Yugi couldn't help but laugh quietly. "Pride is a special ed class. For people who have to struggle a little harder is all. Come on the place we want is just around the bend,"
They got to the door and a young woman with long strawberry blond hair was typing away at her computer and answering phones. She looked up and smiled. "Oh hi Yugi! Um doc will be a few moments. You as well as Yami can sit quietly till she ready,"
"Ok Julie thanks,"
That feeling was getting worse and his hands felt very strange. It was similar as too how your body feels when a part falls asleep. He stuffed them in his pockets when they started to glow. At last the door opened and a woman with short auburn hair in slacks and a burgundy blouse came out.
"Could you come in here Yami?" she asked him in a warm soothing voice. He slowly got up and then realized Yugi wasn't following. He is confusion and alarm must've shown because Dr. Brainard took his arm and lead him the rest of the way. "Sessions are just for me and the student. What we've got to say is confidential. Don't be concerned Yami, Yugi will be here waiting for you when we're done ok?"
"Ok let's start with proper introductions. My name is Dr. Ginger Brainard, how are you?"
"I'm fine."
"Can you give me your full name?"
"Yami,"
"I like it that you're attempting to use humor to calm yourself, but what is your last name?"
"Last name?"
"Don't joke please what is your last name?"
"I'm afraid the only name I've got is Yami. I don't possess a second part too my name," he told her honestly.
She looked at him in astonishment. Still she was here to see if she could get him to open up. Solomon had talked too her on Sunday and told her Yugi strongly suspect that Yami was being abused and he did admit he was running away from home so he won't be forced to wed.
So she tried her best for the good part of 45 minutes to talk to him. But he was at best dodging all her questions and not giving her very comprehensible answers. She also became aware that he was giving the impression of being in some type of extreme discomforted. It was almost 2:55 when school was too end, that feeling reach its peak. Dr. Brainard had her back turned as she poured some tea.
He couldn't hold it in any longer. His Puzzle was glowing brightly and moving wildly. Then it let loose all the build up magical energy. Utter chaos engulfed the school. All the lockers busted open spewing their owners belongs everywhere, all the power went out, the bathrooms where flooded and that was just a few of the things going on! All of the people immediately evacuated the building and the kids headed home all wondering if their school was haunted!
Yami ran back too the game shop faster then the wind. He ran right inside not even stopping to remove his shoes he just ran too the bathroom and locked the door. He removed his shirt and jacket and undid the harness and for a few moments's let his wings reach their full wingspan. He stared intensely at his sexy reflection in the mirror as he looked himself over.
His magnificent wings didn't appear to be damaged or anything that would cause these power surges or loss of control. He splashed some cold water on his face and racked his brain for a few minutes trying to figure this out. Then he slapped himself for being a dolt.
"I am going through Ascending! Damn it! Mahad said this harness may keep my wings immobile but being of royal blood my magic is stronger then the harness even though my wings are still immobile. With them restrained I'm more humanlike but because I'm royal blood and approaching my 18 year my magic is still able to do its normal function! Oh damn it! I totally forgot that when an immortal is approaching adulthood they go through the Ascending! If I'm going to stay hidden I'm going to have try and keep this in check," he said as he put back on the all his clothing and the harness.
He was closing the door behind when he saw Yugi and Grandpa staring at him. "You startled me!" he told them at the same time as he tried to figure out why his heart was racing so crazy.
"Yami are you ok? You just bolt from school after all that chaos happened. Then you lock yourself in the bathroom. Please tell me you didn't try to cut yourself," Yugi pleaded with him.
"No I didn't cut myself. I just was very overwhelmed by what happened at school and that pain was so bad. I'm fine now. I think I was just having a seriously bad stomachache," he lied best he could. He felt very awful for not telling Yugi the whole truth but he just couldn't tell him it.
"I'm not surprised your stomach bothering you. Will all the stress you've got and the comfier food you been consuming it's not surprised you've got an indigestion dilemma. Why don't you boys get too your chores ok? I'm going to go look over the bills ok?" Grandpa told them who nodded in agreement.
"Yugi I know you can't help too much with my internal problems but could you tell me the answers to these countless baffling conundrums I heard in homeroom,"
"Ok shoot what did you hear that has you confused?"
"Um let's see I heard the names Harry Potter, Eragon, Crique de freak, Artemus Fowl, Animorphs as well as a long list of names of other tomes that seemed to either have some kinda of medal or are famous."
"I also heard the names of things found inside the TV I think Tea called it. Let's see Avatar the last airbender, Teen Titans, Xiaolin Showdown, Code Lyoko, countless names that fall under the category called anime. Live action shows like Heroes, Medium, Smallville, and ER. I also heard of something called reality shows uh Savior, Big Brother, Fear Factor, Dancing with the Stars, American Idol?"
"There was also something called 'movies' being talked about. A few names of this movies I was able to catch where um, "Star Wars, Spider-man and many other superheroes, Shriek, A walk to remember, Titanic, anything from a man named Hayao Miyazaki or anything from something called Disney seems to be held in highest respect."
"They also mention many more names of your wonderful music makers but I never heard of any of them before. Yugi what does it all mean?" Yami asked as he filled the mop bucket up himself this time.
"That Yami is what we call "Pop Culture." It is all things that many people all like and is very popular. Like Duel Monster's a popular game all that stuff you just mention is also part of pop culture. How about during this long 4 day weekend we got me and the rest of the gang help get you up to speed on all the pop culture we can. I mean since the teachers are having their meetings Friday through Monday we'll have plenty of time also we get out early on Thursday 11:30 so they can start those meetings. We come back here we do are chores then it will be time to download!"
They gave each other a high five in agreement. "Maybe I can use a little of my magic to absorb this 'pop culture and it would burn off enough of the extra magic that I could keep control while in public," he thought too himself. By the time Tuesday had rolled around again he now was just as up as the rest of the gang and he was acting more like a 17 year old boy should be.
It was still a mystery to the gang how Yami was able to read all six books so far of Harry Potter in two hours or how he could quote the entire four hour movie of Titanic word for word but they didn't knock. He was happy and laughing he was enjoying being a teenager. When he and Yugi got home from school he got too work right away and finished with half an hour to spare and everything looked great! Better then ever!
"This is great Yami! You have made some serious progress in a week's time. I've never in all my years seen this place as clean as you've made it today! Why the floors are so clean I can see myself! I'm proud of you! For working so hard and not letting a few setbacks get the best of you!" Grandpa told him proudly as he looked over the whole building.
"Thank you for your benevolently words, Grandpa. On the other hand it is I who should be giving you words of praise,"
"Me? Why? What have I done?"
"I've never worked before in my life. You've have taught me a great lesson in the value of hard work along with persistence. I will always remember it well, Grandpa. Now is it all right if Yugi and I go meet the gang at Sub-Zero Treats. I would love to have a smoothie after working so hard," he asked him politely.
"Yes you may go. But tell Yugi I want you back no later then 9:45 and keep your cell phones on you at all time,"
For some reason Yami hugged Solomon then he and Yugi cut and run to the new hip hangout.
Solomon watched as the boy's vanished from sight. With a sigh he went to close the door, to the shop so he could catch a few 'z's, when he noticed something at his feet. Reaching down he picked it up, it was feathers. Extraordinarily out of the ordinary feathers unlike anything he had ever seen.