Yugioh! Dressing Room

[Well, even if he tried, he couldn't brainwash this guy. He has been...around...though he hasn't interacted much in a while. He can sense the raw presence of the Light, however, and he finds his way to the beach to see what's going on.]

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[Light doesn't sense Johan quite so quickly, but he still flicks his eyes open in time to watch him carefully, shifting a little closer to the beach but not emerging from the water. His voice doesn't have quite its usual levels of antagonism as he folds his arms before his chest.]

What do you want?

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What are you doing here? [Johan is always wary around the Light of Ruin or any version thereof, no matter what. It's kind of in his job description.]

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What does it look like? I'm swimming. What sort of ulterior motive could that possibly have, Herald?

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With you, many. [He folds his arms over his chest and stands on the edge, just where the water and sand meet, giving Light his best "I am watching you" expression.]

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Oh? Give me some ideas, then, I've been sorely lacking in good ones.

[Unfolding his own arms, Light leans back in the water.] By which I mean that there is no ulterior motive. I haven't been out in a while, and wanted the sunlight.

I wonder, where does honesty get me with you?

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I really don't think you expect me to believe you just because you said that. [Johan knows that the usual war between Light and Darkness is somewhat on hold here, due to the nature of the place, but that doesn't mean he's not wary.]

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Ask that Juudai of yours - I'm reformed. ...of sorts. Or the Darkness from my world, although I imagine he'll just boast about the humiliation he caused in taking care of me. [He shuts his eyes, leaving them just open a slit to see what Johan makes of that.]

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[He does intend to ask Juudai if he gets a chance. Outwardly, he still doesn't appear all that convinced. Having Light from his world control Juudai for seven thousand years doesn't make him very trusting.]

Of sorts.

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My servants are not leaving me - I imagine you'll view that as me being just as awful as you think I am anyway, never mind the fact that the servants I have stay with me for stability and to have somebody there with them, not due to any sort of mind control.

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I imagine you expect me to believe that just because you said it. I would hope that you're not that deluded. [If it's true, then he will leave them be. But he's not going to believe it's true just on Light's say-so.]

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[Light hisses and opens his eyes to glare at Johan, looking rather more flustered and frustrated than he tends to show normally.] One is an invalid and the other an over-enthusiastic child. I am not controlling them. They wish to stay with me because I am providing them with stability, and there for them when they would otherwise be alone on this island.

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[Seeing that frustration sort of amuses him. He does have a wicked streak, after all.]

I don't believe I said I thought you were controlling them. I said I'm not going to believe you aren't just because you say you're not. What reason do I have to believe you?

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I'm being honest. Shall I prove it? You may examine my mind, provided you promise not to cause any harm. [Crossing his arms again, Light emerges from the water, wanting to be on a footing where he can properly take advantage of his height to look down on Johan. He's naked, but he pays it no mind, just glaring almost defiantly.]

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[Johan isn't overly impressed by the height or the nakedness. He considers the offer thoughtfully. He wouldn't mind checking it out, just to be sure, but not without some backup. Some very specific backup.]

I'm also not fool enough to do that on my own. [Hm, who could he trust to back him up...]

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Going to hide behind your little Juudai lest I tear your mind to pieces while you attempt to ascertain whether I'm telling the truth or not? [He grins unpleasantly, flicking a few locks of soaked hair behind his shoulder and watching Johan.]

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[You rang, Johan?]

...I heard my name. Are we arguing about this again?

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[Johan's smile is warm toward Juudai.]

Not so much arguing as I don't believe he's not controlling people just because he says he isn't.

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And I have very kindly offered to let him look into my mind and see for himself, though I think he's scared to do it without you there to hold his hand.

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...Tch.

[Juudai eyes Johan intensely, considering this, then comes to a decision.]

If he wants to, I guess. Any funny business, though, and you'll regret it. I know you could pull something if you wanted to... it's just a matter of if you will is all.

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[He ignores the 'too scared' bit. It's common sense not to go into enemy territory without some kind of backup.]

I want to know the truth. Even if it isn't what I think is the truth. [Which is that Light is pulling a fast one.]

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[Light squirms visibly for a moment before composing himself and just frowning.]

Go on, then. Like I said, do no harm to my mind and I'll do none to yours.

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[Juudai doesn't quite like the idea of Johan poking around in Light's brain, knowing what he said is absolutely true, but quietly waits for the process to start with an expression of slight discontent etched on his face. Johan, like himself, has always been trusting of others... he just hopes that it doesn't come back to bite either of them again.]

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[Johan does indeed trust...perhaps too much. He trusts himself, he trusts the Gem Beats, and he trusts Juudai. He does not trust Light. But now, his eyes gleam a bit as he starts to press his power into Light's mind, searching for the answers.]

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[His natural response is to fight, but Light forces himself to back down, opening his mind to Johan's. It's obvious he doesn't much like doing it, though, and much of his mind remains shut off.]

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[Johan searches about, not trying to pry too hard, just looking for a confirmation that Light isn't controlling the two he mentioned, and/or isn't looking to take over the island in general.

And he finds it. No mind control of those two, no long-term or even short-term plans for controlling everyone else. Well. That's a surprise. He starts to pull himself out carefully, at least satisfied that there's no current danger.]

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[Light jerks a little, his outer thoughts staying oddly blank as his mind seems to almost clutch at Johan's. It's only for a moment, though, and then he both physically and mentally jolts back, throwing up mental blocks the moment Johan's out.]

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[Juudai watches carefully, having Yubel observe the situation as well as physically watching the two. Once Johan withdraws, though, he seems to relax a little.]

Well?

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[Johan had a brief moment of unease at that last 'clutch', but writes it off as being an involuntary sort of thing. Not that he trusts LIght, of course. If something were really wrong, then the Gem Beasts, Juudai, Yubel, or his own powers would've detected it...right?]

He was telling the truth. He isn't controlling the two he calls his servants nor planning to take this place over.

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It's not as much of a surprise as you seem to think, you know; I rarely actually lie. It's all interpretation.

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deadthingflying.livejournal.com

[Here's dead!Crow strolling up the beach, mostly looking for some shade because too much sunlight tends to make him twitchy. A slight frown creasing his brow as he stops near where the Light is floating. There's something about him that's just making Crow twitchier.

~~he might be looking for something to throw... that's what he does~~]

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