Heart Game: Intensity (Turn 2)

[idolpro]

In the beginning, there is nothing but darkness and silence. A sleep that gives no rest but one out of necessity in order to keep functioning. Behind closed eyelids, the numbers of a clock tick down - one painstaking second at a time.

TIME UNTIL REBOOT:


And then you wake up.

As you shift to a standing position, you feel something sharp and pointed press against your side. Digging into the nearest pocket, you will find two small puzzle pieces. And from their odd shape, it looks like they would fit into a 3D spherical puzzle. Odd. You've never seen them before, but you do get a sense that these are a currency of some sort. Spend them wisely!

Game start.

Comments

[carnivorouscarnival]

[ something flashes across his expression briefly. right, this isn't the real Red...

but still. ]

I'd never forget it.

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

And you'd never break you word. Don't look so serious, Eater. All of here know that.

[ Meanwhile, Rizumu has found a picture of Izumu dunking Intensity underwater after he threw Little Red in the lake. ] Ooooooh. What's this?

[carnivorouscarnival]

[ glances over when she picks it up, followed immediately by an amused bark of laughter. ]

Pff—gyahaha, he's got photos like that just lying around? [ leans over and taps the photo. ] Yeah, yeah, see this, that was our first date. Second date?

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

Oh~ I see. [ Yep. This looks likes a perfectly legitimate Izumu date. Nothing strange here ] You moved fast. Isn't this third date material?

[carnivorouscarnival]

Nope, that's definitely first date material for me. The difference is that it's usually also last date material.

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

Oh? So he's into that. Lucky for you!

[carnivorouscarnival]

[ ...

there's an awkward pause as he looks at Rizumu, suddenly uncertain. like he just remembered something. ]

... Yeah. It is.

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

Wh--what? Did I say something wrong? Am I prying?

[carnivorouscarnival]

'Course not. I just...

[ he struggles for a moment. this is just the Rizumu inside Intensity's heart; how can he put it so that she'd understand? is there even an point asking?

... ]

You don't feel like I left you behind?

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

Oh. Is that what you're worried about?

[carnivorouscarnival]

Of course it—hey, who said I was worried?!

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

You did, silly. Hmmm. How about I phrase it another way? Because I know you look at me and see some things are off. How couldn't you? Intensity's only seen hints of me in your dreams and memories. [ Taps her chin thoughtfully ] When Mokuba was reunited with Intensity, do you think he felt like he was left behind?

[carnivorouscarnival]

[ furrows his brow. ]

I don't know. You'd know better than me, wouldn't you?

[ ... ]

... But maybe on some level...

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

Mmmm. I guess that might be true. But. You know that I'd want you to live your life. The last one wasn't exactly fair, right? Ah--- Not that this one is very fair either... And I know you think of me everyday. So can you really say you've left me behind?

[carnivorouscarnival]

[ huffs. ]

I've changed so much, y'know. You were supposed to be the one that holds all my weaknesses, and now I've got so many.

... Is it really okay? To find happiness on my own this time?

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

Are you looking to me for strength now? [ She giggles and fondly pats Izumu's hair ] I think you know the answer to your own question. But I'll say it out loud anyway. Yes. It's okay to be your own person, Izumu.

[carnivorouscarnival]

[ a deep exhale, like releasing a week's worth of tension, and he relaxes into the gesture. ]

Okay.

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

[ That headpat turns into another full hug. ] Take care of yourself. Okay?

[carnivorouscarnival]

[ he wraps his arm around her in a one-armed return hug (since he's still holding Red with his other). the sheep has definitely tumbled to the ground by this point, but that's okay. ]

Gyahaha. You know careful's not my style, but if it's my cute sister's request, I'll see what I can do.

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

[ But that's okay ] Within reason, silly! If you're going to live your life to the fullest, you have to do some crazy things.

[ Also. Someone has been watching and smiling this whole time. ]

[carnivorouscarnival]

[ he hasn't forgotten you, missy!! he nudges Red slightly when he notices her smiling. ]

What? Got something to say?

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

Eater is cute!

[carnivorouscarnival]

[ bonks his forehead against hers. gently. ]

Not as cute as you.

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

[ Clings like a BARNACLE ] ... You're not lonely, are you?

[carnivorouscarnival]

[ see? cute. ]

Hah... You always go straight for the jugular, huh? I'm not supposed to have a concept of "loneliness" in the first place, y'know.

[ ... ]

... Sometimes I am. Probably. Not always, though.