[That confirms it. Atem absolutely knows him. It's another strike...but at least it's somebody already on his radar, for what was done to Javert, for what's done to all the prisoners unfortunate enough to fall into La Forteresse.
Atem slithers forward, leaning over the bed. He reaches out one clawed hand, and he strokes Ryou's hair out of his face, gently. The snakes still give intermittent hisses, but more of them are looking at Ryou now. With regret:]
If only you could. But that's not how this place works!
Still...
...there's nothing I'd do for Yugi or Jounouchi that I wouldn't do for you.
[The hand brushing Ryou's hair away settles on his good shoulder.]
Your problems are my problems, Ryou.
So, I'll ask: what do you want, from me, to settle this?
[No. The shoulder's not good enough. Not anymore, not after what he told Ryou in the dollhouse. Atem's hand comes up from the shoulder to cup the underside of Ryou's jaw. The snakes around his face lean in, too, not close enough to touch Ryou with their tongues, but seeking him out. The ones facing away are still defensive, protective, ready to bite.]
Say the word, and I'll drown him in saltwater. I'll trap him somewhere he can't escape without doing himself terrible harm! I'll ask Mana for the power to petrify unwilling monsters, and leave him in the town square, and tell everyone he's hurt that now's their chance to get their own revenge...
[I'll need to start building a reputation.
The other monsters will need to know what Atem's capable of. Even if Ryou asks for nothing, in this particular case...he'll need to keep how he's perceived in mind, and not waste any more opportunities.]
no subject
[That confirms it. Atem absolutely knows him. It's another strike...but at least it's somebody already on his radar, for what was done to Javert, for what's done to all the prisoners unfortunate enough to fall into La Forteresse.
Atem slithers forward, leaning over the bed. He reaches out one clawed hand, and he strokes Ryou's hair out of his face, gently. The snakes still give intermittent hisses, but more of them are looking at Ryou now. With regret:]
If only you could. But that's not how this place works!
Still...
...there's nothing I'd do for Yugi or Jounouchi that I wouldn't do for you.
[The hand brushing Ryou's hair away settles on his good shoulder.]
Your problems are my problems, Ryou.
So, I'll ask: what do you want, from me, to settle this?
[No. The shoulder's not good enough. Not anymore, not after what he told Ryou in the dollhouse. Atem's hand comes up from the shoulder to cup the underside of Ryou's jaw. The snakes around his face lean in, too, not close enough to touch Ryou with their tongues, but seeking him out. The ones facing away are still defensive, protective, ready to bite.]
Say the word, and I'll drown him in saltwater. I'll trap him somewhere he can't escape without doing himself terrible harm! I'll ask Mana for the power to petrify unwilling monsters, and leave him in the town square, and tell everyone he's hurt that now's their chance to get their own revenge...
[I'll need to start building a reputation.
The other monsters will need to know what Atem's capable of. Even if Ryou asks for nothing, in this particular case...he'll need to keep how he's perceived in mind, and not waste any more opportunities.]