The storm is still building, and this chapter is just another catalyst. We're getting close though.
Atem threw the bag in his hands onto the bed, then pulled out his phone and began searching through the pre-programmed contacts until he found the one he was looking for.
"You have reached the world's most amazing sibling. How might I assist you on this fine day?"
Atem wasn't amused. "Get me out of this hellhole now. I don't care what you have to do, just do it."
There was a brief pause on the other end of the line.
"Oh great…what'd she do?" Mkhai asked with a sigh.
"Too many things to list. I'm just over dealing with her ups and downs. I'm over her hypocrisy. I'm over her."
There was a groan on the other end of the line.
"There is one option I haven't fully explored yet. I've been saving it as a last resort, because I wasn't certain how you'd feel about it."
"Whatever it is, I'll take it."
"Are you sure? It means getting involved with Seto Kaiba."
"I don't care. Just make things happen and get me out of here."
Mkhai sighed heavily. "Just remember you said that."
The call ended. Atem stared at the phone in his hand for a moment. His actions were probably brash, but it was something that needed to be done. He wanted to get away from everything that reminded him of his failed past life so that he could finally move forward and start anew…and that meant getting away from his biggest failure of all.
Atem put his phone away and sat on the end of the bed, placing his hands over his face as he flopped backwards onto it. His head landed on the bag he'd tossed there. It crinkled loudly as he tried to remove it from behind his head.
He wasn't certain what was even inside. Kat had obtained it during one of her random moments of running off into one of the stores that piqued her interest. She'd exited one, carrying the bag in her hands, then gave it to him while jokingly referring to it as a 'divorce gift' before rushing off again.
He hadn't looked inside the bag back at the mall, because by that point he was too irritated with Kat's behavior to care. Even now he dreaded looking in the bag, because knowing his ex, it was probably something inappropriate. Against his better judgment, he decided to look inside anyway. At least he was in the privacy of his own room.
He sat up and stared curiously at the black shirt inside. He pulled it out, immediately feeling amusement tugging at the corners of his mouth as he read the bold print.
Yes I'm SINGLE Now Is Your Chance
He had to admit, the joke about it being a 'divorce gift' made more sense now, and he couldn't help but lightly laugh while shaking his head. He took a calming breath, realizing that his words from earlier were perhaps a bit too harsh. She was trying. Not once had Kat voiced what was on her mind in her usual manner. When Téa had bought him lunch, Kat hadn't been outright rude…she'd simply stated a fact. When Téa showed him a few shirts she thought he might like, Kat walked up, felt the fabric, then stated it was too rough and that he would never wear it…which was true. He disliked anything that felt scratchy against his body.
Atem rubbed the fabric of the shirt between his fingers. It was extremely soft. He debated for a moment, wondering if it would really be as soft against the body as it felt in his hands.
He took off the v-neck he'd been wearing and replaced it with the tee, surprised at how extremely comfortable it was. No wonder when Kat lounged around the house she wore shirts that appeared to be made of the same material.
Atem now felt inclined to get even more comfortable, and he began by switching out his jeans for a pair of gray sleep pants that Bakura swore were made from the finest Egyptian linen money could buy. He didn't care what they were made of, he only cared that they were comfortable.
He then removed all his adornments, still finding it strange at how little time it took him now that he didn't have to remove a portion of his own body weight in gold. He hesitated in removing his kohl, but after a few moments, felt it was necessary if his goal was maximum comfort. Looking at his own reflection in the mirror afterwards felt like looking at a familiar stranger. Like he was seeing someone he knew, but couldn't recall the name of.
"Holy shit. I suddenly wish I hadn't come up here."
Atem scowled at the irritating figure leaning casually into the doorframe of the bathroom.
"And why is that?" he asked in annoyance.
"I don't think you want me to answer that."
Atem's face scrunched up in disgust. "I was really hoping that this morning was just you having a temporary attack of insanity."
"I don't have attacks of insanity. It's actually the other way around. The moments that I'm relatively sane is when you should be worried."
"I'll take your word for it."
"I'm going to take a wild stab and assume that the answer to my offer is a resounding 'NO'."
"You sound disappointed."
"I'm insane, not blind. You're physically attractive regardless of that wagging tongue…though I can easily imagine it being put to a better use."
"Please stop trying to seduce me."
"Why? You're single and now's my chance," Bakura said with a playful grin.
Atem groaned as he pushed his way out of the bathroom.
"What is it that you don't like? Is it my appearance? I can change it."
Atem stopped and slowly turned towards Bakura, once again baffled as he took in the elemental's expression of honest curiosity.
"You have admitted to wanting to kill me…and have actively attempted to on several occasions…but then you ask me that question?" Atem asked in disbelief.
"So…it's not me…it's just…me…?"
Atem placed a hand over his face. Was this seriously a conversation he was having with Bakura?
"Sure. We'll go with that."
"What if I didn't talk?"
Atem quickly removed his hand and pointed towards the door. "Get out."
"So it's still a 'no'?"
"OUT!"
Kat and Marik turned their focus briefly to the figure that had emerged from upstairs and was now stomping its way down. Bakura paid them no attention as he continued past them and into the kitchen, the backdoor slamming seconds later.
"Should we check to make sure Atem is still alive?" Marik questioned.
"Nah. I don't smell any blood," Kat said casually.
"I am still concerned that you saying things like that doesn't bother me."
A second figure emerged from upstairs, looking cautiously over the railing.
"Is he gone?" Atem asked.
"For now," Kat replied. "Do I dare ask what you did to piss him off to the point of only stomping away and not leaving you a splattered mess?"
"I'd rather you didn't."
Kat's head fell forward into her palm. "Fuck. Spite-Kura is a real pain-in-the-ass."
"He would be if I let him," Atem said with an eye-roll while walking down the stairs.
"Oh gods, I was joking. Is he actually trying to get in your pants?" Kat asked with an amused chuckle.
"I didn't come down to discuss your friend's attempts at seduction…nor will I claim to understand the insanity that lies within his brain."
Kat lifted her head and looked at Atem with a deadpan expression.
"Oh, that's easy. Kura's mind usually follows the path of 'Kill the Pharaoh', 'Fuck the Pharaoh'...which has apparently taken on a double meaning…'how long before I annoy this person and make them leave', and finally 'is this edible'. That last one is his favorite. Though I have to wonder if he's recently replaced it with 'is this fuckable'?"
Atem stared blankly for a moment. "There is something seriously wrong with the both of you."
Kat scowled. "Duh. It's called 'we've been alive for a consecutive five-thousand years'. You should try it sometime. I assure you that it's maddening."
Atem clenched his jaw and quietly groaned. "I'm not here to argue."
"Well, you're doing a poor job at directing this conversation in a non-argumentative state."
Atem took in and released a deep breath in an obvious attempt to calm himself. "I wanted to apologize for earlier. You did try to keep your personal feelings in-check. It was wrong of me to state that you should have tried harder."
Kat stared at him for a long moment, tilting her head while attempting to decipher if Atem meant what he said. Her eyes flitted to the lettering sprawled across his chest.
"You like the shirt?"
"Yes. It's quite comfortable. Thank you," Atem replied calmly.
"You're not bothered by what it says?"
Atem smiled lightly. "No. I actually find it amusing."
"Awesome. Now that the entire guild has heard way more than what they needed to, can you please accept the summons?" came a familiar voice from Kat's computer.
"Is that Imhotep?" Atem asked while looking at the screen.
An annoyed sigh came from the speakers. "Yes. Shae, I will have Mkhai hack your computer if you don't accept this summon."
"Already on it," came another familiar voice. The cursor on Kat's screen moved on its own and selected the 'Accept Summons' that flashed on the screen. "Done."
"If you're just gonna take over, why should I even bother playing?" Kat shouted in irritation as she resumed focus on her game and regained control over her cursor.
"Lego Imperial Star Destroyer…" Mkhai reminded in a threatening manner.
"Fuck you, nerd-brain."
"Oh gods…PLEASE let this be the last time we have to run this. I am so ready for the next raid release," Imhotep said in exasperation.
A collective grouping of groaned voices poured through the speakers.
"Kat! What was with that Hero delay?!"
"Sorry, Dan. I have an annoying pest hovering over my shoulder who is about thirty seconds from his second death."
"Well, do something about it! I'm keeping tabs on how much you owe for my repair bill!"
Kat glared bitterly at the face that was slowly retreating away from her.
"I'm sorry. I was just trying to observe," Atem said sheepishly.
"Guys, go ahead and take a quick break. I'm gonna be a minute," Kat said to her guildmates before muting the chat.
She closed the tabs on her laptop off to the side, then brought up the game launcher. After she'd entered some credentials, a blank character screen appeared.
"Here. Create your own character and try it out for yourself," she said while sliding the laptop in front of Atem.
Atem looked in uncertainty at the screen. "I don't know how to play."
"Just read the quests and the spells. I already have addons installed that help with quest tracking, choosing gear upgrades, and so on. It's pretty self-explanatory. I'll even have Mkhai get on one of his alts real quick to give you some bags and gold to get started. It's the same as any other RPG, just digital and you can interact with other players from around the world."
Atem grabbed the mouse and hovered the cursor over the different races. "Is there one that I should choose over another?"
"It depends on the class you decide to play. Some classes are race-locked. Some races work better in combination with certain classes. As a beginner, it doesn't really matter. I would only suggest choosing an Alliance race for the time being so you can receive help from the guild if you need it."
Atem focused on the screen in front of him, quickly scanning through the different races and classes available.
"I need a name for my character," he said once his avatar had been created.
Kat looked at the Human Mage on the screen. "What about Mahad? I highly doubt it's taken."
Atem typed in the name, smiling as the screen changed once he hit 'Accept'.
"See. Easy. Now just enter in and walk up to the people with big, yellow exclamation marks above their heads."
"I think I can figure it out," Atem said while becoming focused on the character he was now in control of.
Kat rolled her eyes and went back to her own screen while unmuting the guild chat.
"...it was nothing personal! I swear!"
"Dan, shut up."
"I'M NOT DAN! I'M VAN!"
"Sorry. You both sound the same."
"Is that who I think it is?" Bakura asked as he entered from the kitchen.
Kat flopped her head back, nearly hitting her boyfriend in the face with her hair since she was sitting in his lap.
"I am trying to play my game. And yes, it's Van'jir. He and Dan are both part of our guild."
"Hey fuckface!" Bakura shouted towards the monitor. "Stop breaking my fucking neck every time we cross paths!"
"Stop being ugly and I'll think about it."
"Speak for yourself, Jackal-breath."
"Oh-my-fucking-gods…GO BOTHER SOMEONE ELSE!" Kat shouted in annoyance.
Bakura recoiled back a bit. "Damn. Someone's grumpy."
Kat turned her head so she could glare at him. "How about you go over and bother the person you are trying to get ass from just to spite me?"
"Oh, it has nothing to do with spite. It's a personal goal at this point. He owes me."
"GO. AWAY."
Bakura rolled his eyes. "Fine…"
If you recognize the name 'Van'jir', Van and Dan are the Jackal Generals from the park encounter. As you've probably already noticed, Kat and Anubis aren't exactly enemies, they just don't see eye-to-eye a lot of the time (and Kat is obviously a very stubborn person). Van and Dan were just following orders, there was nothing personal about their motives at the park. I kinda wanted to show that here by them doing something as 'normal' as playing an online game with the same people they recently attacked.