So so sorry about this! I've been really busy with endless assignments and then exams. Then Fire Emblem Fates. Basically, a lot of things stole my time. I've also got two new stories brewing, but I'll try to keep this regular! Please R&R! Constructive criticism is always appreciated.
Once gain, I'm so so so sorry!
After the incident with Balder, life settled back into the normal routine for Rui and Yuko. Aurora came by most days of the week, and Yuko's mechanics lessons were going slowly, but she was slowly but surely getting better. Yuko still wasn't at the skill level to take any jobs though, meaning she spent her time cleaning the store, running errands, and running the front desk. This meant answering any phone calls like now.
"Hello? ...Yes, this is the right place… Hold on." She covered the receiver with her hand. "Oi! Rui! Phone for you!"
The person in question was busy soldering frayed and worn wires together. "Who is it?"
"That clinic you and Sammy sent Balder to." This got Rui to set down his tools and take the phone.
"Yeah, I'm here… Oh, I see… Uh-huh… Well, if there's nothing wrong with him, then go ahead… Alright, thanks. Bye."
Aurora looked up from her laptop. "What was that about?"
"The hospital ran a bunch of tests, but they can't find anything wrong with Balder. And to save money, they're moving him to the charity ward."
"So why'd they call?" She asked.
"They just wanted to make sure it was alright. If something serious develops, I'll pay for them to look at it. But since he appears fine, he's just taking up space."
After that, there was a silence only punctuated by Aurora pecking at her keyboard and Rui's tools until Aurora broached a new topic of discussion. "I know Rui promised not to probe into your life, and I wouldn't know where to look, but how old are you?" She asked.
Yuko looked over at her. "I'm actually turning nineteen tomorrow. So I think you're the youngest one of us."
"Am I?" she wondered. "I did turn eighteen recently. How old is Rui?"
"Let me check. Hey Rui!"
"What do you want now!?" Was the answering call from the backroom.
"How old are you?"
"Nineteen. Why?"
"Chatting with Aurora. Also, tomorrow's my birthday."
"Neat." Was all he gave as an answer.
Yuko turned back to Aurora. "Yeah, you're the kid among the group."
Aurora giggled at that. "And I'm also the most educated."
Rui came back from his workbench, a repaired Duel Disk in hand. "Hey, screw you. I've got a successful business to run. 'Sides, just because I didn't go to school doesn't mean I'm not educated. It's not like I can't read."
Aurora raised her hands defensively. "I didn't mean it like you were dumb. I'd believe you went to a trade school, considering your craftsmanship. Compared to other mechanics and repairmen in the city, I've heard you're one of the best. You could take on an apprentice if you felt inclined." As Yuko opened her mouth to speak, Aurora cut her off. "You don't count. I meant someone who actually wants to study mechanics."
Rui shrugged. "I could, but I'm a bit rough around the edges. I don't deal with kids, especially if they don't have any kind of professionalism. Like Yuko."
"Hey!" She shot back, from where she was sitting. She had taken off her shoes and had her sock-clad feet on the counter.
Aurora laughed at the display. "And despite her lack of professionalism, Yuko has solid instincts and a good eye for detail. But she's just spending her days around here."
Rui added to Aurora's assessment. "As much as I hate to admit it, she is talented. She's a quick study and has a good appraisal eye. If she knew the value of a dollar, she could be a deadly businesswoman."
Yuko huffed. "You two keep talking like I'm not here."
"Only compliments," Aurora said, which placated the dirty blonde, "Besides, aren't you at least a little excited? Your birthday is tomorrow after all."
Yuko shrugged, "Not really. I mean, I'm another year older. You get cake and some gifts. Not a lot changes."
Aurora looked on in shock. "You mean, you haven't had a birthday party?" Seeing the looks of confusion both Yuko and Rui gave her, her shock became horror. "You mean, neither of you have had a birthday party?"
"Is it really that common?" Yuko asked.
"Well, we aren't exactly normal. You're a runaway and I'm from the street. Aurora's cut from a very different cloth." Rui said sagely.
"Well, yeah," The rainbow-coloured girl replied, "It's the rule, not the exception." Determination flashed in her eyes as she smiled, "Tomorrow, you're having your first birthday party!"
Rui shrugged. "Sure. Tomorrow I've got to get the part list out and a few people are coming in to pick up orders, but we can close for the afternoon."
Yuko looked over to him, "So, what're you getting me for a gift?"
"Isn't half a day enough? Someone's getting greedy." He joked. "I'll think of something."
Aurora gave a little smile a she began pecking away at her keyboard. "It's not the first party I've thrown. I've got it. I'll even make dinner."
"Oh, I'll help!" Yuko cried, before Rui jumped in.
"No you won't. We don't need the fire department coming by again."
"What were you making?" Aurora asked.
Yuko looked down, "Grilled cheese…"
Rui chuckled at the memory, "At least it went better than the noodle incident."
"One time!"
"And I'll never let you forget it until I die."
Aurora opened her mouth to ask, but closed it, deciding that there was a limit to how far morbid curiosity went.
The next day went by as normal, with the exception was Aurora was there early with plenty of groceries. When questioned, she simply replied, "Party supplies." And threw both Rui and Yuko out of the kitchen in order to work.
Around lunchtime, a truck stopped outside and the driver got out, getting some boxes out of the truck. "Alright Yuko, looks like out delivery's here. I need you to carry the boxes while I sign for the order."
As she followed him outside, she commented, "You know, this isn't that I expected."
"Where else would I get the parts?" He asked, kicking a doorstop into place.
"The trash?"
"Oh, like your cards."
They glared at each other, sparks flying until the delivery boy spoke up, "Um, will either of you sign for the boxes?"
Rui grabbed the clipboard and signed without breaking eye contact with Yuko. Sensing the hostility, he quickly drove off. Though Rui eventually turned away. "Carry the boxes in. Once you're done, we can close up.
Yuko did her task, just dumping the boxes in the middle of the floor. After all, she only had to carry them inside. She headed up to her room to quickly clean up before heading to the kitchen. As she came down the stairs, she saw Aurora wearing a party hat and she and Rui had a cake with "Happy Birthday Yuko" hastily scrawled on it in blue icing to match the streak in her hair.
"Happy birthday!" Aurora said pulling the blonde into a hug, as Rui started lighting up the candles.
"Hurry up and blow out the candles."
"Oh, but you have to make a wish first," Aurora instructed, clearly the one most experienced with birthday party etiquette. "And then you need to cut the cake."
Yuko silently made her wish, blew out her candles, and the started to cut three pieces of the small cake they had.
"So, what did you wish for?" Rui asked.
Yuko was about to answer, but was cut off by Aurora. "Don't say it! If you do, it won't come true!"
Yuko gave a sly grin. "Well, the Lore Master has spoken. My hands are tied."
Aurora went back into the kitchen, coming back with snacks and drinks. Though something seemed off…
"Hey, Aurora," Yuko started, "Not to be rude, but what is that weird-looking orange stuff?"
"Oh this?" She asked, holding the pitcher. "It's a special blend of orange lemonade. It's not easy to make, but it's absolutely worth it. Try it you two." She insisted pouring two classes.
Rui and You looked at each other, tapping their glasses together. "Cheers." Neither trusted it, but under Aurora's expectant gaze, they had to at least try it.
"This is… actually really good!" Rui said, once he drained his glass.
Yuko had to agree. "I'm pleasantly surprised."
"Well drink up!" The rainbow-haired girl said happily. "I knew you'd love it, so there's more in the fridge."
The three dug into their feast of cake and salty snacks, washing it all down with Aurora's orange lemonade. After a little bit, Yuko started to get a bit unsteady. "So… where're my *hic* my gifts? It's a birthday, right?"
Aurora picked up a gift bag. "Here you go." Yuko unwrapped it, and she found a stuffed round owl with two leaves positioned to look like a bow tie. It fit in her hand. "I' love it!" Yuko cried, nuzzling the plush against her face.
Rui put his on the table. "It's not that cute, but I hope it'll suffice." He said, as Yuko attacked the wrapping paper like an animal. Inside was a camera, and it looked quite new too.
"Rui... How'd a birdbrain like you get this?" She asked, before hiccuping.
"I called in a favour for a discount. You'd be surprised who you meet in this business. Let me show you how it works." Rui set it up with the timer, so the three of them got a group shot.
The part went on for another hour, until it was clearly something was clearly wrong with Yuko.
"Aurora…"
"I swear to God I have no idea what's wrong with her!"
Yuko, was on the ground, cuddling the Rowlet plushie Aurora had given her and was muttering gibberish.
"Then explain that mess!"
"I don't know! We drank as much as her!"
The two sat down and thought.
"Say," Aurora mentioned, "Has she ever acted like this before?"
Rui leaned down toward her. "Yuko, open our mouth."
"Oooookay~" She drawled, letting Rui getting a whiff of her breath.
"It doesn't smell like alcohol. This is kind of like the first night she came over." He sat back down across from Aurora. "She came over really kind of tipsy. I found it kind of odd because she looked young."
"Kids with money can usually pay the cover to get into bars." Aurora said flatly.
"You know that how?" Rui asked her.
"I heard it from a friend!" She quickly shouted, her hands in front of her to defend herself.
Rui sighed. "I figured you'd be pretty clean. I'm just screwing with ya. Anyway, she was tipsy, but when she went to sleep, she didn't have the scent of alcohol on their breath. And before you ask," He cut off Aurora, "I know what it smells like because you meet a lot of people when you're from where I'm from. Some who drink more than they should." His face changed into a sly grin. "Now give me that recipe."
Aurora recoiled, a shocked expression on her face. "I am not giving you my orange lemonade recipe so you can take advantage of Yuko!|
Rui flinched. "Excuse me? I'm no gentleman, but I'm nowhere near that low."
"Then why do you want it?" She asked, a skeptical look on her face.
"Because this is hilarious!" He said, pointing to Yuko still rolling and cuddling her small plush owl.
Aurora gave him a teasing smile. "I think every card in your Extra Deck is a fair trade." To her surprise, Rui slid a small pile of cards toward her. She began to look them over. "Hey, these are just leftover cards!"
"Like I'd give you my real cards." He said simply. "But when you open packs, I keep all the leftovers. You never know who'll want them."
Yuko spoke up then, leaning heavily on the table as she shakily climbed to her feet. "Hey guys… You know how I beat both of you?"
"Through luck." Rui said.
"Extremely lucky." Aurora agreed.
"Well, I still don't know which one of you is my rival! You two need to fight and see who will be the one who pushes me to my absolute limit!"
Rui rolled his eyes. "Yuko, you're a fast learner, but that's all you are. You don't need a rival."
Aurora smiled at the idea however. "While she may not be making the most sense, it'll be fun. Let's give her a birthday treat."
Rui sighed. "Sure. Why not? But if I win, you teach me to make the lemonade."
Aurora nodded. "And I'll think of my own victory prize."
They two had brought a chair for Yuko since she was still not all there, as they took their positions across from each other. "Duel!"
[Aurora: 4000 LP, 5 cards]
[Rui: 4000 LP, 5 cards]
"Ladies first." Aurora said, "Which means I can't draw, but I have what I need already. I'll start by summoning Solar Guard Lv 4 in Attack position, but he won't be around for long. I discard a card from my hand to summon Polar Shaman (300 ATK)!"
"A Tuner monster!?" Rui asked in surprise.
"Of course. My deck is able to manipulate levels, so it's natural for me. Now, I tune my Solar Guard with my Polar Shaman! Level 5, Synchro Summon!" The lion turned into a collection of four stars while the shaman turned into one green Synchro Gate. "I summon Armades, Keeper of Boundaries (2300 ATK).| A blue humanoid with a white cloth wrapped around its waist. In one hand, it held a ball of fire, and in the other, a ball of ice.
"I can now activate Polar Shaman's effect! Since it was used as part of a Synchro Summon, I can take a Polar Monster and place it on top of my deck!" Aurora revealed her Polar Archer Lv 3 and shuffled her deck before putting it on top. "I'll lay one card face-down and end my turn."
Rui drew to start his turn. "Geez, if you're playing big from the start, I have to as well. I'll summon BB King Pen to start, allowing me to add a "Blackwing" card from my deck to my hand. Next, I play Polymerization!"
"What? You have Fusion cards!?" Aurora cried out in shock.
"I fuse my King Pen and the Tommygun Emu in my hand to Fusion Summon BB Peacock Bouncer in Defense mode (2500 DEF)." A muscular figure with black feathers appeared before dropping into a guarding stance and opening his tail to partially obscure Rui from Aurora's line of sight.
"Woohoo!" Yuko cried out from her seat. "My rivals use different types of summoning from me! This is so fun!"
"It's about to get more fun. I can deal damage to your life points equal to half of one monster's attack as effect damage, as long as I don't conduct a Battle Phase! Peacock is the only monster I control, so I'll choose him with an attack of 1200!"
Aurora braced herself as razor-sharp feathers were fired at her, making her wince. "I'll place two cards face-down to end my turn."
[Aurora: 3400 LP, 1 card]
Rui: 4000 LP, 2 cards]
"I'm fine." Aurora said to herself. "I'll draw Polar Archer this turn since Shaman let her become the top card on my deck. Then I can use her effect to weaken his monster to the point where Armades can destroy it. I can turn this around right away. I draw!"
"Activate trap!" Rui declared. "My set card was the trap Drop Off!" Aurora's eyes widened in shock. "That Polar Archer you just drew now has to go to the graveyard!"
Aurora dropped the card into her graveyard slot and grit her teeth. "I can't do anything. I need to pass this round." Aurora still had her face-down card, but she needed to save it, and it wouldn't help in her current situation anyway. And the spell she was holding wasn't much use.
Rui drew. "I play the spell Allure of Darkness! This lets me draw two new cards, as long as I banish a Dark attribute monster from my hand. If I can't, then I have to dump my whole hand." He drew, and looked at his cards. "I drew Magician's Wing, so I'm safe." He said as he dropped it into the Banished slot on his Duel Disk. "Next I activate the spell Cost Down. By discarding a card from my hand, I can reduce the levels of all monsters in my hand by 2. Now I summon BB Kiwi Commander!" (2100 ATK) The Blackwing Brawler was quite well-built, though it was small, resembling the bird it was based off of.
"Now time for Peacock's effect, but this time, I select Kiwi Commander!" Aurora cried out as the extra damage hit her hard, sending her skidding back a few meters. "And like that, I end my turn."
[Aurora: 2350 LP, 1 card]
[Rui: 4000 LP, 0 cards]
Aurora drew and took a steadying breath. She had an opening, and was prepared to pounce on it. "Armades, attack Kiwi Commander!"
"Nice try, but when he battles, he gains 200 points for every Blackwing in my graveyard!" Rui said, but did a double-take when he saw Aurora's smirk.
"I play my monster effect! When I declare an attack, no other card effects can activate until after the Damage Step!"
"What? Ah!" Rui raised his arm to shield himself as her Synchro monster destroyed his monster.
"I think that'll end my turn for now." She said.
Rui drew, scanning the field. The both had one set card from the first turn, and as long as Aurora attacked with Armades, he couldn't play his. "I activate Peacock Bouncer's monster effect!" After throwing another six hundred points of effect damage at her, he activated the only card in his hand. "I activate One Day of Peace! We each draw, and neither of us can take damage until the end phase of your turn." They each drew and with that, Rui ended.
[Aurora: 1750 LP, 2 cards]
Rui: 3800 LP, 1 card]
Aurora grinned as she drew. "Now I have everything I need."
Yuko blinked. "Rainbow-hair's making a comeback?"
Aurora grimaced. "First, please don't call me that. Second of all, how can I come back when I never left? I summon my Blizzard Dragon (1800 ATK) but he won't be here for long. I reveal my trap card, Level Soul!"
"What? You had that set!?"
Aurora brushed back a lock of hair. "Of course. I was preparing to use it right away, but you forcing me to discard Polar Archer slowed that down. I tribute my Blizzard Dragon and banish Polar Archer lv 5 from my Graveyard to summon Polar Archer Lv 7 from my deck!"
"Wait, when did you discard Polar Archer Lv 5?"
"Think back to the first turn. The card I discarded for Polar Shaman?"
"!" Rui was left speechless at her plan and how she had pulled it all together so well.
"Come forth, Polar Archer Lv 7!" She called, placing the monster on her Duel Disk (2200 DEF). "I can't deal any damage this turn, so I might as well not risk her needlessly. Now to use her effect! The woman nodded as she nocked and loosed two arrows, one hitting Peacock Bouncer and the other freezing his set card (2500 – 1800 DEF). "Armades, wipe out his monster!"
Rui wasn't totally surprised as his monster was destroyed. He knew what her deck was capable of, and was impressed how quickly she turned this match around. His face-down was now nulled, and would be next turn. As she ended and he drew, he knew he needed something big. He took a deep breath and looked at his cards.
"I play the spell card Fusion Recovery! I can add a Fusion material and Polymerization from my Graveyard to my hand. Then I'll summon BB King Pen to add another Blackwing card to my hand." He looked at the three cards he had. He had summoned his monster in defense mode, so he had to bluff big. "I'll set two cards face-down and end my turn.
[Aurora: 1750 LP, 2 cards]
[Rui: 3800 LP, 1 card]
Aurora looked at his field. One of those cards was more than likely Polymerization, but she could only freeze one. "I switch Polar Archer into Attack mode, and freeze the same card as last turn!" She took a deep breath, before entering her Battle Phase. "Polar Archer, attack his Penguin!"
As the monster was destroyed, Rui let out a laugh. "Activate trap, Black Thunder! You take 400 points of damage for each card you control!" Aurora yelped as two bolts of lightning hit her.
"It's still my turn, so Armades, attack directly!" He threw his fire, then his ice at Rui, who cried out as his life points dropped.
"And with that, I end my turn."
Rui didn't have enough life points to take another direct hit from Armades. He looked at what he had. He had two cards in his hand. "I set a monster and one more card. End turn."
[Aurora: 950 LP, 3 cards]
[Rui: 1500 LP, 0 cards]
Aurora drew. "I activate the spell Twin Twister! I discard a card and then destroy two face-down cards!" She pointed to the two cards, and she destroyed Polymerization and Black Sonic. There was one card from before and one he had just set down. "Now Polar Archer, freeze that hard that was from before! Now Armades, attack and destroy his monster!" Her Synchro Monster destroyed Rui's face-down monster effortlessly. "Now Polar Archer, attack directly!"
Rui grinned. "Reveal trap! Blazing Mirror Force!"
"What?"
"I couldn't use this when Armades was in combat, but Polar Archer is fair game. First, your attack damage is cut in half!" He cried out as the fire blasted him. "Then you take the same amount of damage!"
"Wait, but half of her attack is 1050 damage…"
"And you only have 950 Life Points!"
Aurora cried out as the fire encompassed her and made her drop to her knees.
[Aurora: 0 LP, 2 cards]
[Rui, 450 LP, 0 cards]
Aurora dusted herself and stood up. "So Yuko, what'd you think? Yuko?"
Rui walked over to her. "Fast asleep. She must've lost interest at some point. Great duel though. I wasn't expecting you to have a Tuner."
Aurora smirked. "I also wasn't expecting you to fight with effect damage. Different from every other Blackwing deck I've seen."
Rui gave Yuko a gentle kick. "So, wanna carry her inside?"
Aurora picked her up, grunting with the effort. "Geez, either I spend too much time behind a desk, or Yuko's heavier than she looks."
Rui shrugged. "I bet it's the second. Tuck her in, I'll clean up from the party."
Aurora shrugged. "Alright. by the way, you won. So you can have the lemonade recipe." She shifted the sleeping Yuko. "But use this power wisely." She cautioned. "I'm not responsible for this one."
Fake Card Corner:
BB Peacock Bouncer:
Level 7, Winged-Beast/Fusion/Effect, DARK
1200 ATK/2500 DEF
2 "Blackwing" Monsters
Once per turn, you can target one Monster on your side of the field. Inflict damage to your opponent's Life Points equal to half the targeted monster's Attack Points. The turn you use this effect, you cannot conduct your Battle Phase.
BB Kiwi Commander
Level 6, Winged-Beast/Effect DARK
2100 ATK/1200 DEF
When this card attacks or is attacked, it gains 200 Attack for each "Blackwing" monster in your Graveyard
Polar Shaman
Level 1, Spellcaster/Tuner, WATER
300 ATK/500 DEF
You can discard one card from this hand to Special Summon this monster from your hand. If this card is sent to the Graveyard as Synchro Material, you can select one "Polar" or "Solar" card on top of your deck.
