Inbox

[ruinsprofessor]

--"Raine Sage. I can't reach the console right now. If it's an emergency, don't wait to get a hold of me, keep moving. I'm sure I'll hear about it soon. If not, leave a message and I'll contact you when I can."

Comments

audio; a few weeks after the Palace siege, after the housing shuffle

[denyamenti]

And here I thought being beholden to the dead was something unique. Turns out I'm not the only one here, am I?

[ Nope, no greeting, no preamble, no context, just that. ]

also audio;

[ruinsprofessor]

[Raine matches audio for audio. If she doesn't get the benefit of his body language and expressions, he doesn't get hers, either.]

I remember you. [A pause, then, carefully calm:] ...would you care to clarify exactly what you mean? I'm sure I could guess, but that seems a waste of time for both of us.

[There are a few possibilities that fit the phrase 'beholden to the dead.' None of them are things she's eager to bring up without being sure.]

Re: also audio;

[denyamenti]

It's always nice to know I made an impression.

It would be, though at least you have the intelligence to back up being coy. We both saw what my Spell card revealed.

Re: also audio;

[ruinsprofessor]

Ah. [It is exactly what she was hoping it wasn't. The exsphere.] 'Beholden to the dead,' hm. I suppose you could call it that, yes. [An interesting choice of phrasing, though, maybe one that has special significance in his magical tradition? But that's beside the point for now.]

Is there a particular reason you're bringing this up now?

Re: also audio;

[denyamenti]

[ In Bakura's case, it was actually 110% literal but Raine didn't need to know that. ]

Curiosity. As I said, it's not often I come across someone in such a situation.

Re: also audio;

[ruinsprofessor]

I understand curiosity. [Much of her life, that not dedicated to teaching, has been fueled by her drive simply to learn.] But you were sure my situation resembles yours before you called, and I find myself doubting you just sought confirmation. What is it you're looking for?

[She is admittedly speculating on his motives a tiny bit, but it's not much of a leap. Maybe if she's lucky, he'll actually give her something with a passing resemblance to a straight answer.]

Re: also audio;

[denyamenti]

I'm sure of what I saw down in the prison.

[ But he understands what she's pressing for, and he doesn't begrudge her that. If their positions were reversed, he'd be doing the very same. ]

I want to know how that came to be.

Re: also audio;

[ruinsprofessor]

Hmm.

[She's silent for a little while. Bakura has a bit of a reputation, but she herself did not find him particularly objectionable. However, she did not spend overly long in his company, and there's still value in being cautious...]

I'm not averse to explaining, but I'd prefer not to do so via the consoles. And I'd like to ask you a few questions, as well.

Re: also audio;

[denyamenti]

Very well.

[ Probably better for both of them to learn in a face to face environment. ]

Where?

[ He's giving her control of the meeting place though he suspects that she'll be using criteria he anticipates: a public location for safety but not one so crowded as that their conversation might be overheard. ]

Re: also audio;

[ruinsprofessor]

[She's a little surprised he agreed just like that, but rallies quickly, naming a park in Earth Sector. It's perhaps a little bit secluded, but for the most part meets the criteria Bakura's predicting.]

Will that do? I have time later this afternoon.

Re: also audio;

[denyamenti]

That's fine. With our unwelcome tenant in the Palace, there has been little else going on lately.