"You could have been nice, Nii-sama," Mokuba said with barely suppressed malice.
Seto looked at his little brother in the door way of his home office.
"I will remind you that you were not supposed to be dueling."
Mokuba pouted, "Piano lessons are so stupid. I needed a break from Madame Duval, and don't change the subject, Nii-sama. Yugi's a good guy and besides me one of the few people who can stand you. Why can't you be friends with him?"
Seto snorted and ignored his brother's plea. True, Yugi Motou had been one of the few outside of family and company to stand Seto's remarks and bite back, but the kid still seemed weak to Seto. His kindness and friendliness were too much to believe, even if Yugi took a beating to let Mokuba escape.
"…and that time the Big Five tried to take over-"
"What?"
Mokuba sighed, and continued. "I was listing all the times Yugi helped us, Nii-sama. He's so much for us without asking and I really like him."
Seto ran his hand through his hair. Mokuba, like him, did not let just anyone win his confidence. Perhaps having Yugi as an ally would not be so bad?
"What would you have me do, Mokuba? I am not known outside of obligated social events to act kind."
The raven-haired boy grinned like a Chesire cat, and gave Seto a look he knew too well to be one of triumph.
"Simple, talk to him, not about dueling; maybe have lunch. I can do more when you get out. Yugi can come over and we can play games and talk and he can show me some of his tactics…"
Seto took out a pin and paper to write down ideas to approach Yugi without dueling. It would be difficult, but seeing Mokuba hyper with a dreamy sparkle in his eyes decided for Seto Kaiba on what to do with Yugi Motou.
And a possible rematch.
SR
October 28th, Three days until Halloween.
"Eighty-three percent dammit do it again!"
"Sir, I have gone through the numbers three dozen times. I even checked the candidates who had been paired up. The closest we could find was that."
Otogi threw the paper at the employee, Donovan, who gave the worst news possible. The King of the Shadow Realm, who had saved them from the wrath of Zorc and the man all considered a savior, had no companion.
"Get out!"
Donovan left with gusto. Otogi tended to get into rages when things went wrong and this was wrong.
Sitting on the loveseat with her Satyr butterfly wings folded was Otogi's wife, Teana. She was an ex-noble who like most had lost her title. Her hair was brown and down to her waist in plaits. Her azure eyes held worry in them at Otogi's outburst. She knew Atem back in her nobility days and was ecstatic to hear that he was looking for someone, although this new development did not bode well.
As she got up to comfort her husband the doors opened revealing Mahad, Atem's head mage. He looked completely human with the exception of the markings under his eyes and the streaks of lavender in his hair.
Teana and Otogi bowed as Mahad sat in one of the chairs.
"I am here on King Atem's orders to check on the progress so far," he deadpanned.
Otogi gulped, but calmed when he felt Teana sending him waves of love and soothing through their bond. He decided directness was the best choice.
"Mage Mahad, I am sorry to have to give you the…lack of results."
A tense silence filled the room. Mahad stiffened, in his mind this was a horrible idea from the start.
"Continue, please Fae Mien."
"We have checked all options, compared the king's magic with others, and have gone into the already made couples looking for any nineties. But our searches have been worthless."
Mahad stiffened more and his grip on the seat handle had left imprints. Otogi saw this and knew that Teana was uncomfortable. She abhorred any violence and would fight back if need be.
Otogi spoke up, "I know this is not good and that I gave my word to find a companion, but the only candidates that were ninety were already married, and happily by that. I truly wish this was not the case, Mage Mahad, but I can't do anything. I have failed my word and our king."
Mahad lips thinned in guilt at the sincerity in Otogi's voice, it was then he noticed another fae in the room. She looked familiar, but he could not place her face. The woman fae turned around and Mahad saw the black wings with orange circles.
"Teana?"
She turned and smiled sadly, "It has been a long time, Mahad."
"I am sorry for the rudeness but this news is unsettling."
"I know. My husband," she nodded to Otogi, "has worked long hours with all the searches, even having interviews just to make sure. I am disturbed by this and know Atem will be more than upset."
"Yes," Mahad breathed, "yes he will be my old friend."
The room was silent again. Teana and Mahad looked at each other with sorrow. Otogi had his head down. He had looked over every candidate, each magic blend, and even went so far as to check ones that were in couples. There was a ninety-two percent who's engagement Otogi had almost broken up because he was so desperate. There was an equation missing, a piece that had gone. What could it be?
The eve of Halloween, the answer came. A mutual friend of Otogi's had told him about Jono the Dragon Beast and consort of Queen Mai. Otogi thought it to be a long shot, but he traveled to the Winged Kingdom in the mountains. His wings ached and his eyes were shut close not being used to such high altitudes and strong wind but he made it.
The friend told him of a young trainee of Jono, a young man named Hiroto, who was friendly and might aid him in this matter. Otogi found the city in the caverns. He found Sweeping Fancy a popular tearoom and place where either Hiroto or Jono were with the queen. He paid the host and glanced for any signs of blond hair.
As his tea was brought to him, Otogi saw a young halfling staring at him. She was definitely part dragon beast with golden skin, but her wings were mixed with feathers and scales. She had reddish brown hair and sweet amber eyes. Otogi found himself in a staring contest with the girl until she got up from her table and asked to join him.
"Of course dear, I would love to have company."
She sat down and said, "Are you Otogi Mien?"
He smirked, "You've heard of me I presume? Well, dear, I am in the middle of another deal, but I wou-"
"No," she held her hand, "It is not for me, it is for the king. I am Shizuka, Jono's sister. I know who you should look for."