The number of times I start a new fic and then drop it will never be known. But just know that it's too dang often. So, I got inspired to write this because of recent event. All I have to say is RIP Takahaski-Sensei. The man made one hell of a game and series. I really want to have a bit of a darker take on this story, at least in the beginning. The character does have signs of depression for those of you who will be triggered by it, I just wanted to give y'all a warning about it. She's also not the greatest person, she has her moments where she's horrible.
1
"I am old, Gandalf. I don't look it, but I am beginning to feel it in my heart of hearts. Well-preserved indeed! Why, I feel all thin, sort of stretched, if you know what I mean: like butter that has been scraped over too much bread. That can't be right. I need a change, or something." -J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of The Rings
"Didn't you want to be like this?"
That question had been prompted so many times that it was uncountable. Long, pale-blue hair was caught between spindly fingers as the owner of said hair stared ahead at the swaths of students surrounding them. Violet eyes slowly moved side to side before returning to their first position. The pale hair was released, and a soft sigh was exhaled.
'No… I didn't want this. I didn't want this at all.' Those words were always their answered to that prompt. Whether it be while holding onto someone who was gone in their arms or being covered on their own blood. It was always the same answer. It didn't even matter that they had lost track of how many times they'd answered the same question. Time itself had such little meaning to them.
"Hey, Crawford-San want to join us?" The question pulled them from their thoughts.
"No." They answered before shooting the questioner a frosty glare.
The boy in question blanched and backed up a few feet. Anything to escape that cold expression. His group left the immediate area from Crawford, and they let out another sigh, this one of annoyance. It felt as though things were becoming identical. They pushed their hair back from their navy cladded shoulder, before pushing it off their neck with their arm. Allowing a cool breeze to brush against the warmed skin.
"Go ahead and throw the dice, after all your life is just a silly game." That sentence was burned into their memory. Those words spoken in such a false voice. Now that they were more experienced with people, they could hear the malice hidden behind the burikko façade. They heard the gossip of the students around them and slowly stood up. One of the voices quieted, but some grew louder. They slowly walked out of the classroom, listening to the echo of their own footsteps to keep count of their steps, and headed to the roof. No one would bother them there.
"If I do that, what happens?" They had asked in response to being told to roll the dice. Their hands went to their uniform pocket and emerged with said dice in their palm. The black icosahedron seemed to swallow up any light that hit it, the Roman numbers carved into the sides glowed a soft, blood red in time with their heartbeat. They rolled it around in their hand for a few seconds before frowning.
"You'll have one hell of a journey that will only stop the second you end up where I want you." The cutesy voice had informed them.
"What do you mean?" They had asked.
"You'll know, because I'll want that dice back."
That chilling answer made more sense. They had found the dice under their bed one morning. The day they lost their parents to a car accident and their older brother, and his girlfriend, took them in. They placed the dice back in their pocket before sitting down on a stone bench and surveying the empty school yard. Their hair was ruffled by the small breeze coming off the coastline. The smell of salt hung heavy on the air. They felt something move in their pocket and sighed, once more, before taking it out. Their phone was ringing.
"This is Naomi Crawford; how may I help you?" They said, their voice having a more feminine tone then before.
"Oh, you wound me my darling sister!" The sound of their brother's voice caused the barest of smiles to appear on their face.
"Well, you are calling me during break, I'm allowed to be a bit curious," Naomi informed him. "Is something wrong?"
"No, I just wanted to check in on you," He stated, and she heard something being set down on a wooden surface.
"Wine or cider?" She asked.
"Cider, I have an important business meeting today," He answered, and she let out a low huff. "I hear that your ideas are doing quite well in the lab, how is the fashion industry?"
"It's going well," She stated rummaging about in her pockets for something to play with, pulling out a rubiks cube and starting to solve it. "The other models leave me alone and let me do my work, and none of my classmates can tell it's me… which is quite impressive seeing as I have very distinctive hair."
"People can have interesting in-attentional blindness," He commented in an offhand manner. "Do tell, how is your security?"
"Staying in the background until I need them, how is Mr. Crocketts doing? You aren't treating him horribly, are you?" She questioned frowning as she watched a few students run across the yard.
"Of course, I'm not, I'm insulted," Her brother stated, a faux sniff accentuated his words.
"Sure, you are," She muttered before blinking. "My breaks over, I have to go back to class."
"Oh, I'll shall give you my weekly call on Friday then," Her brother stated, and she gave a weak smile at that. "Till then, Naomi!"
"Bye, Pegasus," She said, hanging up the phone.
She placed it back in her pocket and gave a light huff. An older brother of a man that should've been an only child. A man that would've still lost his parents but wouldn't have to look after a child. Someone that would have freedom. She ran a hand through her hair and sighed once again. She knew exactly how her life had gotten so twisted around. It was her own fault. Silly arrogance and curiosity had gotten her where she was. She rejoined her class and took her notes like a diligent student. Even as she climbed into the car waiting for her, she acted the part expected of her. The cold callous nature she exuded made people walk out of her path. An old part of her would've relished in such power, but she honestly felt empty.
"How was school, Miss Crawford?" Her security guard and butler Fred asked, glancing at her in the mirror.
"It was as it always is, boring," She answered in an indifferent tone.
"Is there any where you'd like to stop before heading to the photo shoot?" He asked turning onto the main road again.
"I'm good, but thank you," She stated.
"You won't be happy for a long time, NaOmI. Are you sure that you want to cast the dice?" She knew that questioned.
"Yes, I'm sure I can handle it."
Oh, she had been such a stupid child. She barely acknowledged the hands grabbing onto her person as she was placed in a makeup chair and had her face lightly painted to accentuate her features. To make her seem more doll-like. Her hair was sectioned to hold a hair band with black lace that would her face. She simply allowed them to do so.
"Naomi-Chan, we'll have you start in the black dress before going to the reds and silvers,"a woman with long black hair said as she looked at a clipboard in her hand.
"Right," Naomi agreed, and she slowly stood up from the chair she was in.
Her dress was full of frills and… buckles. That was strange, but not the strangest thing she'd worn as a model. A model that was only popular because of their brother. She pulled on the black, lace stockings and looked at the Victorian lace boots. She simply did what she needed to do. After an hour, her feet began to protest at the constant standing and her eyes began to burn from the flashing lights. Yet, she didn't seem to care and that made the photographer giddy. Her indifference seemed to be what he wanted to see. Strange man. She felt a little relieved when she was able to return to her school uniform. The boys uniform helped to hide her figure and allow her to pass as a boy. Pegasus had found it funny when she wanted to hide away. She knew he didn't find it funny anymore. Her morose manner worried him more then he'd say. She got into the car again and sat there quietly, her eyes still heavy with makeup.
"Are you sure you don't want to stop somewhere?" Fred asked, his concern showing in his voice.
"A game shop, somewhere that's out of the way and not on the main road… please," She softly requested.
Kame Game shop. Naomi closed her eyes for a few seconds before she got out of the car. It was what she had asked for. But she didn't want to get involved any further than she already was. She checked the shop hours and noted that she had an hour to find what she wanted. She opened the door, and a cheerful bell rang with the movement. An older, short gentleman smiled happily as she fully walked in.
"Welcome," He greeted, and she gave a polite nod back. "Do you happen to go to Domino High?"
"I do," She confirmed, her voice purposely lowered to come across as masculine.
"Oh, do you happen to know a Mutou Yugi?" He cheerfully asked and she blankly stared at one of the shelves.
"He's one of my classmates," She answered. "I don't know him very well, I'm sorry."
Naomi always had trouble being rude to elders. He gave her a kind smile as she finally found the game she wanted. He believed she was actually a he and found it slightly interesting that a boy would go around with makeup on. Yet, he didn't judge. His own grandson liked to wear it as well and had gotten very good at it. The game being placed on the counter brought him out of his happy musings. The Settlers of Catan stared up at him and he watched as the boy in front of him searched his bag for his wallet. Pulling out the strangest thing. A small wallet shaped like a plush frog. The teen pulled out a few bills and handed them over.
How a teenager ended up with over fifty thousand yen, he'd never know. Still, he made the correct change and placed the coins and bills inside the deceptively small hand. The money went back into the frog purse and was tucked away in their school bag. He wrapped the game for them and watched as they blinked in confusion before giving a strained smile on thanks. They both jumped when the door to the house opened.
"Ji-chan, Kaa-San wanted you to know that dinner is almost ready," a boy with tri-coloured hair informed the short man.
That boy was the reason why she didn't know a Mutou Yugi outside of being classmates. She knows exactly where his future lies and wants no part of it. Her own was insane enough. Yugi's violet eyes, eyes too big for his face and a colour too close to her own for comfort, blinked a few times before realisation dawned on him. She mentally cursed as she accepted the game from his grandfather, of course Yugi would recognise her from class. He was smarter than people gave him credit for. He looked puzzled at her appearance, but gave a nervous smile.
"Hello, Crawford-San." Yugi greeted.
"Mutou-San," She greeted back and the old man inwardly chuckled at the awkward air about them. "Thank you for the game, I have to get going."
Sugoroku Mutou tilted his head to the side. That Crawford boy had left so quickly upon the appearance of his grandson. Perhaps it was one of his bullies? He'd have to charge the pale-haired teen a little extra next time if that was the case. His grandson let out a soft, thoughtful sound.
"What's wrong, Yugi?" He asked, and Yugi blinked in surprise.
"Crawford-san is usually cold to everyone, but he was really polite to you," Yugi commented, picking up on her strange affinity for the elderly. "Maybe, he's just shy?"
"Is he ever mean to you?" Sugoroku asked and Yugi blanched.
"N-No! Crawford-San doesn't really talk to anyone else!" Yugi defended the pale-haired teen. "He's never really mean about anything… just cold."
Sugoroku filed that information away for a later time. As it was, he wanted to eat some of his daughter-in-laws wonderful cooking. He closed the store for the night and trailed behind his grandson as their conversation turned towards the newer games that were going to come out. Oddly enough, they didn't put the pieces together that the teenager that had the last name of Crawford might be related to the man that ran industrial illusions. It was something that Naomi would always be thankful for.
"Oh, that's a game for multiple people," Fred commented as she got back into the car and placed her purchase on the seat next to her.
"Maybe one day I'll have someone to play against," She dryly commented.
Fred let out a dry chuckle. It wasn't his fault that he was a sore loser… no it was, but logic dictated that he'd at least win one game against the teenager. He drove her home and listened as she immediately headed to her room to relax for the night. She'd get her homework done but wanted to relax or a while before doing so. Fred would always make sure that she'd eat something, a trait she shared with her brother. They could forget to do so when they were focused on a task. He was starting to think it was a family trait.
Naomi sat in the warm water of her bath and watched her small cat bat at the bubbles that crossed the surface. She let a genuine smile appear on her face as she tilted her head back in thought, allowing it to rest on the edge of the tub. Her hair spilled into the water and she sent it an annoyed glance before gathering her thought. She needed to make a list of everything that was wrong in her life.
One, she had decided to play a game of chance with a god and seemingly got the short end of the stick. Two, she didn't even know who said god was because she never asked and now she had dice to hold onto so they could have it back. Three, she was constantly being reborn which was an annoyance all in itself. Four, her once dyed pale blue hair was now natural, the woman in her first reborn life had been in for quite a shock. Five, her older brother was important to the plot of destiny and she didn't know how his involvement would end. Six, she ruined his life and she would her say anything about it to him. Seven, well she didn't have anything past six. Huh, she thought she had more to think about. No… she did. Seven, Yugi Mutou was a kind soul and as much as she'd love to be friends with him, she refused to be dragged into his destiny. She couldn't.
Naomi sank further into the water and frowned. She knew what would happen. She'd get comfortable and then everything would go wrong. She could possibly get them killed with the shitshow that was her previous life, or she'd be forced to die once again and start all over. She couldn't start over. It took too long to reach her teenage years, she couldn't fathom going through them again. She didn't even know how many lives she had lived and died through, she lost count after six. It just didn't seem important.
"What do you think, Bast?" She asked her cat, getting a small meow in response. "Good thought, you were always a clever one."
She brought a dripping hand up and gently pressed the tip of her finger against her cats nose, getting a soft sneeze out of the small animal. Her heart warmed at the sound before she looked at the clock on her bathroom wall. She had to get out and do her homework before going to sleep and starting it all over again. She began to him a very familiar tune as she pulled on her frog printed pyjamas and headed to her desk to do what had to be done. Bast sat in her lap as Fred brought her a sandwich and cup of tea. That tune continued to be hummed until her pencil was set down.
"See how the Game of Life is playing all of us for fools!" She sang under breath, picking her cat up and giving it a small kiss on the top of its head. "Dancing a string around us, making all these silly rules. Has a ring to it, huh?"
Bast let out a fishy yawn and Naomi crinkled her nose slightly. Well, at least she had a good dinner. She laid down with the tiny animal and closed her eyes as Bast kneaded against her chest while she got comfortable. Naomi cracked an eye open and watched as the white and grey, Scottish fold made herself comfortable before laying down. Naomi got a face full of fluffy fur, but simply closed her eyes again. She adored her cat, truthfully. She always ended up with one, and always spoiled the shit out of it. A part of her was glad for that small trait of hers. It gave her a very temporary companion.
"You do know that you are a baby, yes?" She asked the cat, getting an annoyed look out of her. "I was just pointing it out… be glad I loved you and not the Ashera Pegasus was pointing me towards."
Bast snuffed before closing her green eyes. Naomi was left with her own thoughts as she stared up at her star speckled ceiling, which had amused her brother to no end. Honestly, the man could be tickled pink by the smallest things. The entirety of what she had accomplished so far in her new life, the Modelling job -which she still gave credit for to her brother and his fortune- and her makeup line. Industrial illusions had a makeup department and she was allowed to design each piece that came out of it. Of it was used when he brother had his televised appearances then it was never spoken of as the shameless product placement it was. She was letting her thoughts trail too much.
It was fine. After all, it didn't matter. Not when she knew she'd be heading to another life soon. She gave a wry smile, sometimes it felt as though she was standing on the edge of a building and waiting for someone to push her, but the joke would always be on them. She'd have a bungee cord attached. Soon, that cord would snap and she almost anticipated it. Her brother would cry, and Fred would do his best to make a meme out of her tombstone. But that was just the tip of what she felt.
And, sometimes, it felt like it was getting stronger.