lessons in self care (closed)

[blue_ice]

Who: Kaiba & Ann
Where: Spa car of feelings
When: Kazoo 27
What: Getting to know each other in less dire circumstances
Warnings: possible discussion of murder plot, will update as needed

It's been a long and tiring week and a half (only that long?) for Seto. He finds himself peeking around every corner, braced for battle. He mills about in big crowds whenever possible, avoiding being alone as much as possible. He's especially avoiding vulnerability whenever he can, and indulging in the spa car's amenities is...certainly that.

But he misses it, and he's feeling tense after a long session in the training gym. He sets a hand on the door handle, considering it briefly. Should he...?

A familiar face appears then, and he greets her with a small nod.

"Oh...Ann, were you heading in?"

He'll open the door for her, to be polite.

Comments

[menaretrash]

Ann's finally getting her bearings on this train. Between the crazy arrival and some strange picnic, it could have been a lot worse. She certainly feels better than when she'd first arrived, and has been doing her best to mostly lay as low as possible. She's done a pretty damn good job with that, too, so what better way to reward herself for not getting into any more trouble than with a spa day?

That's the reason she's headed in that direction. And it looks like she's not alone -- it's good to see Seto again, looking far better than the last she'd seen him. It's not that she hasn't wanted to come and see him, but she's wanted to give him his space, too.

"Hi, Seto-san! I was. You too?"

She flashes him a friendly smile as he opens the door, and she steps in, turning around to walk backwards so she can face him.

"How are you?"

[blue_ice]

"I'm surviving," he answers. Honesty, he hadn't meant to take a dip, but that smile...and she's a strong protector, if anything is to happen. Not that he wants to put that pressure on her, but he's missed this.

"...I usually sit in the bath for a while---trunks on, people are constantly in and out---but I haven't since then."

She'll know what 'then' is.

"Would you mind if I joined you?"

[menaretrash]

"Good! That's what counts," she replies with a nod, because she gets it. What he went through was awful, and he's a strong person for pressing on even after all of that.

Ah, and there it is. "Well, it's good to relax. And I don't blame you, with the crazy running around."

Because she definitely knows what 'then' is.

"Sure! Never gonna say no to good company!" And besides, he could use a friend right now, probably. Even if she's more along the lines of an acquaintance at the moment.

[blue_ice]

Kaiba nods, grabbing a pair of swim trunks and heading to one of the changing rooms. "Perfect."

He emerges not too long after, towel over one arm---he's a decently muscled weed of a person, and seems to be in good health, but makes a noise of slight pain as e drops into the bath, curling up to make sure she has room.

"I'm fine," he explains pre-emptively. "Trained longer than usual today. Mission's coming up, and that means being ready for battle."

[menaretrash]

Ann selects a purple bathing suit and winces-- ugh, still not her favorite color or even style, but whatever, it'll work. "See you in a minute."

Ann soon slips out in her stupid borrowed swimsuit, sighing. She's more of a cute bikini sort of girl, but beggars can't be choosers, along with a towel of her own that she folds up and places relatively close to the bath, before she moves to carefully step into the bath as well. She definitely takes notice of that wince, but it's like he's a mind reader, because he's on it.

"Sore muscles, huh?" She smiles again as she gets comfortable. "I should probably start doing that too, who knows what's going to come next? It's good to be prepared for anything."

[blue_ice]

"Right. Training's important. Usually the outside threats are far bigger."

A brief thought back to what she'd done for him that day.

"I never thanked you---but I will now. I assured you your first day would likely be uneventful, and then you had that dropped on you?"

A shake of his head.

"I hope it's been far less eventful since. Have you settled in all right?"

[menaretrash]

"So I've heard, although I think I'd prefer fighting on the outside rather than the inside. Close quarter combat isn't my favorite."

Close quarter combat is the worst as far as she's concerned. Out in the open can be shit too, of course, but... at least there's more room to move. But what he says next has her blinking a few times.

"Hey, you don't need to thank me... and besides, I'm glad that I was able to help, even if it wasn't much. I'm just glad that you're still here with us. I actually wanted to come see you, but I didn't want to crowd you. Just know that I've got your back... if she gives you trouble again, let me know. I'm not afraid of her in the slightest."

And she is glad he's still here, too. She'd been so worried about him, and despite his injuries, he looks pretty good now. Physically, at least.

"It has been! I've settled in enough, I really like both of my cabinmates, so I feel really lucky! A friend from home is here as well, and while we're not in the same bunk, she's only one over. Actually, I think she's on the Orange team too."

[blue_ice]

"Another puzzle solver," he says. "We're a disjointed mess as a team, but I'll keep an eye out for her."

Kaiba has his own thoughts about how well they all function as a group, but even he can't deny that he's become part of it all. And it's not the worst thing in the world. He finally starts to relax, tipping his head back and closing his eyes.

"I had someone from home when I first arrived too, but we weren't friends back then. He saw me as a classmate and potential friend no matter how many times I said I wasn't interested. We were almost rivals, it's hard to explain. But being here together forced me to get to know him, and now..."

He reaches back to his towel, where he's also set the locket. A ring is attached above it, and he touches it briefly.

"I'm staying connected to him, no matter what. Did anyone explain about the alternate timelines to you yet?"

[menaretrash]

"She's not hard to miss. Long, pretty red hair, glasses... her name is Futaba. She's actually the navigator of our team at home, and she's really good at what she does. I think she'll be a really good asset to you guys." And hilariously, Futaba and Kaiba will probably get along pretty well considering their hacking skills, but, those are things for them to figure out on their own.

Ann watches as he reaches towards the locket and the ring, and that, coupled with his words, and she makes a connection. What he says makes sense, though, and it makes her smile brightly again.

"He sounds wonderful! I'm glad the two of you have each other here, and that you've decided to keep that connection with him strong. He sounds like my best friend from home, Shiho."

That's super cute, in fact. So much so she damn near misses that last bit. "Oh! Well, no, not really, but I've sorta figured it out on my own. Futaba says that the last thing she remembers from home... well, it's complicated, but it took place like days before what I remember."

[blue_ice]

"I think I've talked to her briefly. Shared notes about some of the void mysteries we've started poking at."

Kaiba lets his guard drop some...it's difficult to relax completely, but it's nice here with company. He continues:

"The train gathered up enough energy to talk to us once. It told us that each of us is from a slightly different reality, even if we remember being from the 'same' world, and that we've been missing from our worlds for a while. He isn't the same Yugi I knew, and I'm not 'his', but I promised I'd fight to find a way to keep us all connected after this. That river might've been my first clue on how it might work."

[menaretrash]

"She's a good person... I hope you guys get along."

It's nice, she thinks, that Futaba has a chance to branch out here at least. To reach past their small circle of friends. She's really glad that she's on the same team as someone like Seto, too.

"The train... spoke? Wow," she replies, sounding pretty impressed. "That does make sense, though. I guess that probably means that Futaba's not quite the same Futaba I remember then, either. Even still, I'm super glad that you two have each other here! If you put your mind to it, I'm sure you'll find a way to stay connected no matter what. If a train like this is possible, then anything is, right?"

[blue_ice]

"There's a possibility. She has a sharp brain, and anyone I associate with, that's the first step. Your quick thinking earned you a spot on my list too."

Yes, he does in fact have A List of people he tolerates. It's getting long these days. But back to the matter at hand...

"I'm keeping that promise. And staying connected...if I do manage it, I'm exploring the multiverse. See where you're all coming from."

Not that he's thinking of anyone in particular.

[menaretrash]

"...I have a terrible feeling that you're going to be real disappointed with me down the road, just so you know."

Futaba may have a brilliant mind, but Ann sure doesn't -- at least she can own up to it? Granted, if Ann really bothered to try and apply herself more, she'd be a lot better off but. Details.

"That's great! And hey, if you ever decide to come and visit my world, I'd gladly introduce you to the rest of my friends. Hopefully nothing crazy will be happening at that point, though."