[Oh, right. This is supposed to be a date. So it makes sense to go to date-like places even on very platonic friend ones and not romantic ones... right?
Manjoume would not know, on account of the fact that this is the first "date" he has ever been on. Oops.]
Hey, at least it'll be a calm ride. You seem like you've had enough of thrills.
[ Elan remarks cheekily. Manjoume only has to bear with the motorcycle ride for a little longer. The ferris wheel is quickly growing in size as they near it. Elan's looking forward to it. It's not as if he's been on one before nor gotten to invite someone on one. Simple moments like these is the closest he's ever felt to a normal life. ]
Who said I had a problem with thrills? I'm one of the most thrilling people out there to be around.
[What a weird thing to be defensive about all of the sudden... but that's Manjoume for you. Getting bothered by the silliest things so easily sometimes.
But then the ferris wheel is coming closer and closer into view, and Manjoume actually goes quiet again, watching it grow in size the closer they drive toward it. Despite his words, he actually does seem to be interested in the ferris wheel, even if it is not perhaps the most thrilling amusement attraction out there.]
Uh-huh. [ Elan says in the voice of someone who totally believes him. If he was in the position to, he would give Manjoume a playful jab in the side right now. ] I still remember having to drag you onto the rollercoaster! Feels like ages since we've done anything fun.
[ Their ride in the old amusement park feels like a distant memory. Things had felt...not exactly carefree, but less stressful back then without their bosses placing constant demands on them. Pulling into the parking lot, he brings the motorcycle to a halt and unbuckles his helmet. ]
And I still maintain that it was a miracle that coaster didn't collapse underneath us.
[But yeah, it does feel like that was a long while ago... they've all been so stressed lately that it feels like its been ages since they've had that kind of fun.
Upon arrival, Manjoume hops off the bike once its safe to dismount and removes his own helmet too, shaking his head for a second to fix his hair--gotta make sure his iconic fringe is still looking good and that he's not dealing with helmet hair...]
And you say you like thrills... Where's your sense of adventure?
[ With employers like LILITH, they pretty much have to make their own fun around here. Anyway, enough ruminating about how shit's fucked. Elan wants to enjoy the evening and his company. He ushers Manjoume towards the ticket booth - don't worry his hair is looking fantastic - and purchases two tickets for the both of them. ]
Being wary of a potential death-trap doesn't mean that I don't have a sense of adventure!
[But hey, now that they're going to a place that has probably more professional experts maintaining their rides, Manjoume shouldn't have any complaints anymore, right? Though he does blink in surprise when Elan says he's paying for both of them rather than Manjoume having to pay for his own ticket.]
... Well alright, if you say so. Thanks.
[He'll have to remember to return the favor in some form later.]
We tested those rides with weights, you know, but fair!
[ Manjoume's right to scrutinize. Anyone with sense would. That's what Elan likes about him. More people could stand to be critical around here.
There are people before them as they line up to get on the ferris wheel. Families with children, young people, a lot of couples... Elan gives Manjoume a sideways glance as they slow-shuffle forward. ]
[Calling that time he ended up in two seperate alternate dimensions and died temporarily in one of them is probably not the best example, so, hmm. What's a good one to share... oh.]
Probably that time when I was 14, I stole a boat from Duel Academy's island and tried to sail back to the main city on my own, only to end up going off course, sinking the boat, and having to survive in the northern icelands until the school located there let me inside.
[He says this as if this is a completely normal thing to happen to a kid.]
[ Yeah, that gets a raised eyebrow and amused look from Elan. He would ask what kind of school he went to, but he's set foot in Duel Academy before during the memory glitch back in the desert and knows already it's a weird ass school. The detail he hones in on is— ]
You, stealing? I didn't realize you were a rule-breaking kind of student, Jun Manjoume! Bold of you! [ Elan looks pleased to discover. ] Too bad about the shipwreck but good for you there was a school in the tundra [ wtf ]. I take it back, you definitely have a sense of adventure!
See? Told you that I was capable of adventure or thrilling escapades when I feel like it...
[Granted, there were some less than ideal reasons behind why Manjoume had tried to get away from Duel Academy to begin with, but he won't bring those up yet if he can help it. Instead, he focuses on recounting the cooler parts of said adventure... which may involve quite a bit of embellishment.]
North Academy--the school that was located in that iceland, has a test where they only let people in if they can find enough cards scattered around outside to build a deck to play Duel Monsters with. So in addition to survival in general, I had to look for these cards to pass their test: I climbed up icy cliffs, fought off giant bats and bears that got in the way, and so on until I found forty cards and they finally allowed me entry into the school.
After that, I had to do a second test by using said cards I had found to play against the top 50 students and thus earn my own rank somewhere within that top 50--which, was a mistake on their part, because I was just too good at this game and ended up defeating all 50 students myself, including having fought five of them at once just to prove that I could.
[ The more he learns about Manjoume's school the less it makes sense. Manjoume clearly lives in a different reality where fighting bats and bears to enroll in school is the norm and wouldn't get the place shut down over concerns of child safety. ]
You beat some astounding odds! You ever think that's too much adventure for a school? Here I thought the school I was sent to was weird!
[ There were plenty of duels at Asticassia too! But way less bear fighting. He claps Manjoume on the shoulder. ]
Anyway, dueling prodigy, looks like our ride's here.
[ They're up next. Elan gestures for Manjoume to come with and hops into the open ferris wheel compartment. He wastes no time getting comfortable, sitting down legs extended and arms behind his head. ]
Oh, definitely. My school had way too much stuff going on that I'm pretty sure wasn't supposed to be part of the Duel Academy experience...
[... Oh hey, Elan's right, their ride is indeed here. Manjoume follows into the compartment, moving to take a seat across from Elan here. (Unless he's supposed to be sitting next to the person when you're on a "date"? What's the protocol here, he does not know.)]
[ Oh good, sounds like he still has a sense for what is and isn't normal. Manjoume won't lack for excitement in Tokyo; they're just fighting souped up versions of bats and bears now. Elan leans back against the glass with an ironic sigh. ]
All that trouble just to play a card game! I can't understand it. What makes this game so special?
You mean other than the fact that it's the most popular game that my world has to offer, to the point where most people build their entire careers around it? [pause] Well, it probably has something to do with the fact that people like Seto Kaiba and Pegasus decided one day to use technology to try to make it look like the cards could be brought to life, and it caused the game to explode in momentum in getting everyone to play it to see the life-like monsters for themselves.
You've seen me summoning dragons and stuff before during missions to block off enemies or take a hit, right? Those are my Duel Monster cards being projected as hard light holograms with my Duel Disk, which has some of the most recent tech and programming back home to give it that edge over other older models.
So you got inspired to become a professional duelist? I don't get the craze, but I prefer your world's version of monsters.
[ No offense to planet earth, but monsters who eat people are kind of a bummer. The ferris wheel resumes its rotation and Elan feels a jolt as they start to rise. ]
Yeah. There's a lot of strategy involved in building a deck that works with whatever playstyle you prefer, and it's exciting when you get to fight and take down a strong opponent on a stage in front of a cheering crowd...
[... Damn, he misses it. He really wants to play his favorite game in front of audience again, not be stuck here fighting kaiju...
The ferris wheel moves, jolting him momentarily out of his thoughts as he quickly turns his gaze to the window to look outside and watch.]
I forgot to ask before, but how long do these rides usually last?
Sounds like you were something of a big shot back home.
[ Weird to think of a card game getting so much hype, but it's not weirder than a world where they have to fight monsters. He glances out the window as they make their leisurely ascent and then back at Manjoume, shooting him the cheekiest smirk. ]
Hell yeah I was: you're looking at "Manjoume Thunder", the duelist that graduated in the top 3 of his year from Duel Academy. I was on the track to receiving sponsorships to promote me for the professional leagues... and then I ended up here.
[So, you know. Kind of pissed about that, but its whatever at this point.]
And no, I'm just asking since I haven't been on one of these before.
[ Never having been on one, Elan shrugs. He looks comfortable where he is, idly watching the buildings grow smaller as a city painted orange in the sunset stretches out before them. ]
Too bad about the sponsorships, but at least they'll still be waiting for you if you ever go home. Provided you keep your skills sharp.
When I go home, not if. I refuse to believe that I'm doomed to be stuck here for the rest of my life.
[He huffs out the correction, leaning back in his seat here.]
And of course I'm keeping my skills sharp: in fact, if they're not impressed with them after I've come back from a world of slaying kaijus, then they're a bunch of fools.
True. After you've battled real monsters, a school duel is nothing. Not that I've ever seen you intimidated by anything...besides maybe rollercoasters.
[ Elan hums. Schools keep kids sheltered from reality. Asticassia had been a playground for play fights next to the conflicts going on outside its perfect climate-controlled walls. Manjoume will surely return a different person. ]
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no subject
His tone is one of slight confusion, though not for the reason Elan may be thinking at the moment.]
Isn't that a ferris wheel? I've never been on one before, but like... I heard somewhere that's usually the sort of thing you ride on dates, isn't it?
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Exactly! So shall we?
[ Because this is a date! Elan takes a turn and they're speeding towards the ride situated just outside a shopping mall. ]
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[Oh, right. This is supposed to be a date. So it makes sense to go to date-like places even on very platonic friend ones and not romantic ones... right?
Manjoume would not know, on account of the fact that this is the first "date" he has ever been on. Oops.]
no subject
[ Elan remarks cheekily. Manjoume only has to bear with the motorcycle ride for a little longer. The ferris wheel is quickly growing in size as they near it. Elan's looking forward to it. It's not as if he's been on one before nor gotten to invite someone on one. Simple moments like these is the closest he's ever felt to a normal life. ]
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[What a weird thing to be defensive about all of the sudden... but that's Manjoume for you. Getting bothered by the silliest things so easily sometimes.
But then the ferris wheel is coming closer and closer into view, and Manjoume actually goes quiet again, watching it grow in size the closer they drive toward it. Despite his words, he actually does seem to be interested in the ferris wheel, even if it is not perhaps the most thrilling amusement attraction out there.]
no subject
[ Their ride in the old amusement park feels like a distant memory. Things had felt...not exactly carefree, but less stressful back then without their bosses placing constant demands on them. Pulling into the parking lot, he brings the motorcycle to a halt and unbuckles his helmet. ]
no subject
[But yeah, it does feel like that was a long while ago... they've all been so stressed lately that it feels like its been ages since they've had that kind of fun.
Upon arrival, Manjoume hops off the bike once its safe to dismount and removes his own helmet too, shaking his head for a second to fix his hair--gotta make sure his iconic fringe is still looking good and that he's not dealing with helmet hair...]
no subject
[ With employers like LILITH, they pretty much have to make their own fun around here. Anyway, enough ruminating about how shit's fucked. Elan wants to enjoy the evening and his company. He ushers Manjoume towards the ticket booth - don't worry his hair is looking fantastic - and purchases two tickets for the both of them. ]
This one's on me! You just try and relax.
no subject
[But hey, now that they're going to a place that has probably more professional experts maintaining their rides, Manjoume shouldn't have any complaints anymore, right? Though he does blink in surprise when Elan says he's paying for both of them rather than Manjoume having to pay for his own ticket.]
... Well alright, if you say so. Thanks.
[He'll have to remember to return the favor in some form later.]
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[ Manjoume's right to scrutinize. Anyone with sense would. That's what Elan likes about him. More people could stand to be critical around here.
There are people before them as they line up to get on the ferris wheel. Families with children, young people, a lot of couples... Elan gives Manjoume a sideways glance as they slow-shuffle forward. ]
So what's the most adventurous thing you've done?
no subject
[Calling that time he ended up in two seperate alternate dimensions and died temporarily in one of them is probably not the best example, so, hmm. What's a good one to share... oh.]
Probably that time when I was 14, I stole a boat from Duel Academy's island and tried to sail back to the main city on my own, only to end up going off course, sinking the boat, and having to survive in the northern icelands until the school located there let me inside.
[He says this as if this is a completely normal thing to happen to a kid.]
no subject
You, stealing? I didn't realize you were a rule-breaking kind of student, Jun Manjoume! Bold of you! [ Elan looks pleased to discover. ] Too bad about the shipwreck but good for you there was a school in the tundra [ wtf ]. I take it back, you definitely have a sense of adventure!
no subject
[Granted, there were some less than ideal reasons behind why Manjoume had tried to get away from Duel Academy to begin with, but he won't bring those up yet if he can help it. Instead, he focuses on recounting the cooler parts of said adventure... which may involve quite a bit of embellishment.]
North Academy--the school that was located in that iceland, has a test where they only let people in if they can find enough cards scattered around outside to build a deck to play Duel Monsters with. So in addition to survival in general, I had to look for these cards to pass their test: I climbed up icy cliffs, fought off giant bats and bears that got in the way, and so on until I found forty cards and they finally allowed me entry into the school.
After that, I had to do a second test by using said cards I had found to play against the top 50 students and thus earn my own rank somewhere within that top 50--which, was a mistake on their part, because I was just too good at this game and ended up defeating all 50 students myself, including having fought five of them at once just to prove that I could.
no subject
You beat some astounding odds! You ever think that's too much adventure for a school? Here I thought the school I was sent to was weird!
[ There were plenty of duels at Asticassia too! But way less bear fighting. He claps Manjoume on the shoulder. ]
Anyway, dueling prodigy, looks like our ride's here.
[ They're up next. Elan gestures for Manjoume to come with and hops into the open ferris wheel compartment. He wastes no time getting comfortable, sitting down legs extended and arms behind his head. ]
no subject
[... Oh hey, Elan's right, their ride is indeed here. Manjoume follows into the compartment, moving to take a seat across from Elan here. (Unless he's supposed to be sitting next to the person when you're on a "date"? What's the protocol here, he does not know.)]
no subject
All that trouble just to play a card game! I can't understand it. What makes this game so special?
no subject
You've seen me summoning dragons and stuff before during missions to block off enemies or take a hit, right? Those are my Duel Monster cards being projected as hard light holograms with my Duel Disk, which has some of the most recent tech and programming back home to give it that edge over other older models.
no subject
[ No offense to planet earth, but monsters who eat people are kind of a bummer. The ferris wheel resumes its rotation and Elan feels a jolt as they start to rise. ]
no subject
[... Damn, he misses it. He really wants to play his favorite game in front of audience again, not be stuck here fighting kaiju...
The ferris wheel moves, jolting him momentarily out of his thoughts as he quickly turns his gaze to the window to look outside and watch.]
I forgot to ask before, but how long do these rides usually last?
no subject
[ Weird to think of a card game getting so much hype, but it's not weirder than a world where they have to fight monsters. He glances out the window as they make their leisurely ascent and then back at Manjoume, shooting him the cheekiest smirk. ]
Why? Are you tired of me already?
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[So, you know. Kind of pissed about that, but its whatever at this point.]
And no, I'm just asking since I haven't been on one of these before.
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[ Never having been on one, Elan shrugs. He looks comfortable where he is, idly watching the buildings grow smaller as a city painted orange in the sunset stretches out before them. ]
Too bad about the sponsorships, but at least they'll still be waiting for you if you ever go home. Provided you keep your skills sharp.
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[He huffs out the correction, leaning back in his seat here.]
And of course I'm keeping my skills sharp: in fact, if they're not impressed with them after I've come back from a world of slaying kaijus, then they're a bunch of fools.
no subject
[ Elan hums. Schools keep kids sheltered from reality. Asticassia had been a playground for play fights next to the conflicts going on outside its perfect climate-controlled walls. Manjoume will surely return a different person. ]