Disclaimer: another one? Well, last time I checked, I didn't own Yugioh, so I'm pretty sure I don't now.
Author's note: hm, any news? Don't think so. Except to apologize to any I may or may not have offended when I 'threatened' people that I wouldn't update if I didn't get reviews... didn't mean that, by the way. I was still going to update; just like to know what everyone likes about the stories so I can include more of the same kinds of things. I'm very sorry if I offended you and hope all is forgiven - stay tuned, please? ^o^
This bit is kind of random... not sure how it came to be or if it'll settle with you guys but I thought it was cute!
A strange device?
Atem moved the Senet piece, his game face in place.
His father's eyes were narrow as he studied his next move.
All was silent.
Their only audience was Amisi, Atem's mother. Her expression was one of boredom as she watched her husband and son play out the game of Senet—it had been going for hours, as neither player found any advantage.
It was clear that Atem often had the upper hand, though Aknamkanon pulled good moves when they counted. They were more than evenly matched. They were perfectly matched. It was insanity.
She sighed. "Shh," Aknamkanon hushed. "If you don't like it, Amisi, you don't have to watch."
Amisi threw her hands up in the air. "I thought you'd never ask," she said, "This game is maddening. Almighty Ra—you two never give up." And with that, she exited.
It barely even fazed them. "She never did like Senet," Atem commented off-hand.
"Don't try and distract me, Atem," Aknamkanon muttered.
"Distract you?" Atem asked innocently, making his move. "Why would I do that?"
His father glared at him but said nothing.
Mana peeked her head in cautiously. She had checked up on them more than an hour ago, and found them sitting in the same positions now as she had then. She rolled her eyes and hurriedly turned to leave.
"Mana," Atem called without looking back. Mana froze in her tracks. "Won't you come and watch? I'm about to win, after all."
Aknamkanon laughed at the lunacy. Mana peeked back. To her, the pieces on the board may as well have been in the same position as they had been an hour ago, for all the difference it made.
"Don't look any different than it did an hour ago," she commented. "Besides, since when have you won a game of Senet against him this quickly?"
Atem didn't take his eyes off the board, but he was grinning. "Oh, it's different, all right. Come on, Mana. You're my lucky charm, aren't you?"
Mana grinned and immediately pranced to his side, taking Amisi's abandoned chair and sitting cross-legged. They shared a glance and each looked at a selected piece — Mana was good at Senet, she just didn't have any patience for the game, and every time she played Atem she lost.
Atem looked at a piece and then back to Mana. Mana did the same, giving an almost imperceptible nod.
"Hurry up and make your move, Atem," Aknamkanon said, "Any time in the next thousand years would be nice."
Atem made his move and sat back with a smile playing around his lips. "Check and mate."
Aknamkanon sat forward in horror. "Say what?" he roared. "No, it can't be."
The Pharaoh made a gesture to the board, "Take a look for yourself, father."
Aknamkanon banged his fist on the table. "Blasted Bast!" he shouted. "Not again!"
"We can play again tomorrow, if you like," Atem said easily, smiling smugly.
Aknamkanon sat back gustily. "Oh, we will," he agreed, "And next time I'll win."
Atem stood and stretched, "Well, I'm off for a walk. Mahad said he had something to show me."
His father waved him off, "Very well. Maybe I'll see if Aknadin wants to play a game of Senet."
"You could ask Shimon," Atem said quickly, hoping to get his vizier off his tail.
As Atem and Mana hurried away, Mana muttered: "I highly doubt that. Every time those two play, they end up arguing about if the other cheated or not."
Atem laughed, "Or if father snuck another piece on the board while Shimon was adjusting his hat."
Laughing, they hurried off to find Mahad. Walking through the hallways, they bumped into Seto, who was scowling per usual.
"My King," he greeted, momentarily dropping the scowl.
"Seto, have you seen Mahad?" Atem asked.
The scowl was back. "Yes, he's in the courtyard by the ball room." He tromped away, muttering to himself.
"Wonder what's got his robes in a knot," Mana said, making Atem laugh.
Finding Mahad in the courtyard, they discovered the source of Seto's displeasure and Mahad's wonderment.
Mahad had in the courtyard—a trampoline.
He stood scratching his head like he wasn't quite sure what it was, but was extremely amused by the thing. Looking around, he said, "Pharaoh, Mana, there you are."
Atem fought a grin. "Mahad, what's this doing here?"
"It was a gift," he said, confusion clear in his tone. "To the palace from the new America. Though what the thing is for, I'm not sure."
Mana shrugged. "Beats me."
Atem had a strange urge to show them what it was, even though he knew it would definately drop his dignity down to zero. Throwing his cape into Mahad's grasp, he climbed on to it.
"Pharaoh!" Mahad exclaimed. "What are you doing?"
"Showing you what it is," he said, turning to face them with his hands on his hips. "It's entertainment."
"But what if it's dangerous?" Mahad asked, eyeing it.
Atem shook his head, "That's what I'm showing you. It's not." He pushed with the balls of his feet, beginning to bounce up and down. Slowly, he got higher until he was downright moving up off the thing maybe two feet, nearly touching the ground as it absorbed his weight.
Mahad looked flabbergasted. Mana, however, wanted very badly to join in. "I'm coming on!" she cried, pouncing. She nearly bumped into Atem, and as soon as she was on, it got hectic fast. They began bumping around, up and down. Mahad watched with his eyes, seeing that it was clearly not dangerous, but unsure of what the point was.
"What is it?" Mana cried in delight. "It's so fun!"
"It's called a trampoline," Atem replied, grinning ridiculously. "Like I said, it's meant for entertainment."
Mana laughed in glee. "I could do this all day!"
Atem had to laugh with her, and soon enough they were both laughing wildly. Mana suddenly caught Atem's bounce and flew into the air, to her alarm. When she came down, Atem held his arms out and Mana landed in them rigidly, squealing.
Automatically, her hands wrapped around his neck. She looked around, seeing herself in Atem's arms, she smiled, her eyes alight, "Whoa! That was so much fun! Thanks, Atem."
Atem chuckled, "Sure, Mana." They glanced at Mahad, who was gaping stupidly.
"What's the point of it?" he asked, managing to gather himself.
"The point?" Atem asked, raising his eyebrows. "It's fun, I suppose."
He shook his head, "So its point is for 'fun?'" he asked.
Atem shrugged; then realized he was still holding Mana and quickly set her down. Mana's hands remained around his neck and his on her waist – Mana was a little afraid to walk on the 'trampoline' without support.
Mahad continued to shake his head wonderingly. "That will never do. Another gift to be put away."
"Aw, come on, Mahad!" Mana cried, "Let's keep it out! Please? It's so much fun!"
Mahad frowned uncertainly, "I don't know. It will distract people from their work and it doesn't look very nice in the courtyard."
Atem waved a dismissive hand. "Put it somewhere out of the way. I'm sure Mana will want to spend more time on it." Mana nodded eagerly, her eyes bright with eagerness.
"Please, Mahad?" she begged, pulling a pout.
Mahad's eyes darted between them, lips pursed. Atem shrugged, glancing at Mana. "Alright, fine," Mahad said finally.
"Yes!" Mana cheered, hoping off and tackling him. "Thanks, Mahad!"
Mahad smiled. Atem leapt off, taking his cape and swinging it back around his shoulders. Mahad glanced at the sun, "Spell practice soon, Mana."
Mana pouted, "Dang it."
Atem saw Mana eyeing the trampoline. "You want to keep going?" he asked her.
"Yes!" Mana exclaimed, racing past him and springing upon it. Standing, she wobbled uncertainly, like a child learning to walk for the first time.
Atem pulled his cape off again and climbed up beside her, taking her arm. "I got it," she assured him, her tongue protruding out the corner of her mouth. Atem held in a laugh, letting her arm go. She wobbled around uncertainly for a moment. "It's so weird," she said cheerfully.
With a squeak, she began to sway, leaning near the edge. Atem flashed to her side, his arm looping forward around her waist and bringing her upright. She leaned into his chest with a huff, "It's harder than it looks."
"You just need practice," Atem grinned.
Mana looked into his face, smiling. "I'd like that," she replied stupidly.
"Practice in five minutes, Mana," Mahad called as he turned away, secretly smiling.
"Alright, Mana," Atem said, "You've just got to balance yourself. The trampoline gives in under your weight, so you have to get used to the motion."
Taking her hand, he led her in a walk around the trampoline. Mana was reassured by his presence and moved more confidently. She stumbled a few times, but quickly grasped the concept of balancing her weight. Now, holding Atem's hands and laughing, they were bouncing very normally – without all the chaotic movement of before.
"I love this thing!" she exclaimed blissfully. "Can I get one of these in my room?"
Atem laughed. He had to say that he quite liked it too.
I know, I know, I write short chapters. But hey - did you like it? I'd love to know your opinion! If it's stupid, well... you know how the saying goes, "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all." But really, I'd like to hear how it was.
Until next time!
-Anevay