ohmyarceus | Test Drive Meme

[The tail stops swaying and his Yamask picks himself up slightly to mutter to Marik with a disapproving look. The blonde grumbles and seems to deflate a little.]

... Ugh. Fine...

[He turns around to fully face Serenity.]

I know you don't trust me. I'm not asking you to do so.

But I tell you what. I'll show you some kindness. We can ride my Cyclizar and I suppose I'll let you borrow my raincoat.

[The Yamask nods his head, giving Serenity a small smile.]

( the more he talks, the more she bristles and becomes exceedingly uncomfortable around him. she glances off and suddenly wishes that she had had the forethought to bring an umbrella with her. that's a lesson learned for sure. )

Nhf...

( what's up with the sudden change of heart? her gaze diverts from marik and she eyes the yamask instead. it's... smiling at her? maybe it has something to do with the change. )

...you'll give me a ride...?

( he's not wrong. she trusts him about as far as she can throw him and serenity is a petite, weak young lady who can't throw. )

...and borrow your raincoat?

( she suspects the pokemon on his shoulder even more now. )

...that ...would be nice of you...

( did those words really just leave her mouth vis a vis marik ishtar? )

[Chenzira, the Yamask, has everything to do with it. He's his shoulder angel. His better half. He keeps Marik grounded most of the time and is one of the few beings he feels guilt or regret for.

Marik slings his backpack off, unzips it, and pulls out a neatly folded royal purple raincoat. He presents it to Serenity.]

You've ridden with... the brown one. What's his name? Terry? Trevor? Eh, whatever. Cyclizar is like a motorcycle. It will take us a little while to get to town from here but at least you'll be dry.

( serenity accepts the raincoat and looks it over a bit before she hesitantly pulls it on. there's something about accepting help from him of all people. )

Huh? The brown one? ( she blinks and then realizes... ) Do you mean Tristan?

[He'll chalk it up to the Gods of this world messing with him yet again. He has strange bad luck like that in this place.]

Is that his name?

[He never bothered to memorize it due to, outside of him being part of Yugi's gang, he was mostly unimportant in the grand scheme of things.

Marik unzips his own coat slightly so the Yamask can climb in, huddle himself all nice and cozy, and pop his head out from under his trainer's chin. Then the blonde tosses a pokéball out, releasing the aforementioned motorcycle pokémon, Cyclizar still within the comfort of the cave entrance. The lizard shifts into his bike position as Marik climbs on, puts on his pair of Go Goggles, and glances back at Serenity.]

... You'll want to hold on. Chafu can get up to regular vehicle speeds if I want him to.

( her expression flattens when he mocks her friend's name. as if "marik" is so great of a name.

admittedly, the pokemon that he releases is amazingly cool. it's really interesting that it can morph, so to speak, into a motorcycle ride pokemon. but she loses all her faculties when he tells her that she'll have to hold onto him. her brain sort of breaks for a moment. she's rode on a bike before with the aforementioned friend but she's not really looking forward to the idea of touching marik. )

Erk... ( she sighs and gets onto the bike, not wanting to look a gift horse in the mouth and all. once seated, she leans to press against his back and hugs her arms around his waist. ) ...okay, I'm ready!

[He'll have her know his name means "King!" So it is a very good name.

It's as weird for him as it is for Serenity honestly. She'll notice he tenses for a moment, grinding his teeth. He'd much rather be doing this with Fluttershy. ... But it's a small price to pay if it means keeping Joey at bay.]

Right. Chafu, let's go!

[The Cyclizar roars excitedly before squealing his "tires" and lunges forward.

Marik will need to recondition his hair after all of this. The rain is really coming down and his coat isn't entirely water proof like the raincoat Serenity is wearing. He makes sure not to drive too quickly as to let her get used to the sensation of riding a freaking motorcycle pokémon. The tomb keeper is obviously a capable driver though, handling any turns with ease and making any acceleration seem smooth.

After a while of them driving in silence, Marik calls over his shoulder.]

...Doing okay so far?

( that don't impress her much.

silence overcomes them both as the cyclizar drives along with the pair of them on its back. she's not sure what to talk about with marik and even further unsure whether or not she even wants to talk to him. the sooner this is over, the better. she's thankful for the drive to somewhere safer than the cave but he's still someone who had hurt her brother-- and her friends. it's hard to forget that.

shaken from her bout of silence, she nods although he can't see that so also voices: )

Yes, I'm fine! This is quite the method of travel!

( the pokemon is impressive. his name is not. )

[Huffpuff. It should. Everything about him should impress everyone.

Marik is keenly aware of the situation they're in. If Joey wasn't in this world, he'd have just left her after some minor bullying. But with Joey here, he needs to be on his best behavior. He knows he shouldn't lean in to his darker tendencies but... old habits die hard and he enjoys being a little shit.

They've still got a little while before they hit Violet. Might as well pass the time with idle chitchat.]

Isn't it? This is a newly discovered pokémon. For whatever reason, you're not allowed to drive a motor vehicle in this place but apparently this is fine.

No offense, Chafu.

[The Cyclizar just grunts, seemingly not insulted. He's getting to drive and that's all that matters!]

Once we reach town, I can call Joey-Or... Hnn. You can call him. It shouldn't take him long to get to us and then you two can be off on your merry little way. Sound good?

( too bad, sir!

serenity is aware of the sort of person marik can be so her guard remains up for the time being. she's not sure how much she can "trust" him and since she's fairly new, she's not even sure if he's bringing her in the right direction for violet but she's hopeful. serenity's not even aware that joey being here is about the only reason marik is bothering to help her. thanks for the inadvertent rescue, big brother! )

I guess they want less pollution or something...

( seems like it would be bad for the pokemon. )

Sounds good. I can call Joey...

( hopefully the brother unit would be there as fast as he possibly could be! then she doesn't have to stick around this guy for too, too much longer. )

[He is taking her in the right direction thankfully. The Ruins of Alph are next to it and he wants to visit the Yamask family there. Not that Serenity knows that.]

You haven't seen Saffron.

[Smoggy city. And wait until she finds out about Grimer and Koffing.]

Good. I don't need him threatening me when he finds out I stumbled across you...

[He suppresses a shudder.]

... I'm impressed you made it as far as you did. Did any of the others from Domino reach out or have you been by yourself?

( she'll be thoroughly scandalized. )

I'm sure it'll be an interesting story to tell my brother when I find him...

( whenever that is. she shakes her head although he can't see it with her behind him. )

Umm, just myself... Have you talked to them?

[Completely understandable.

Marik just snorts. Hopefully Joey won't pry...]

I have.

[He isn't about to delve into everyone that's here because he wouldn't want everyone announcing he's here ~~like everyone has been doing in their threads #rude no im jking~~ so Marik keeps the list short.]

Joey and Bakura have been here for a few months now. I don't keep tabs on them though.

[He probably should... Hn.

Just a bit further to Violet and he can dump her off to her brother. As tempting as it is to use her as leverage, he isn't in the mood to deal with Joey.

They eventually arrive and it seems the rain has stalled to a very light drizzle. Should be good enough to leave her with an umbrella. Once he's "parked" outside the pokémon center, Marik leans over and squeezes out his hair.]

I'm going to need to use conditioner tonight... Ugh...

[What a primadonna. He gets up off his Cyclizar and walks over to one side of the saddlebags, pulling out (surprise surprise) a purple umbrella.

The blonde debates for a moment before holding out his hand again, this time to help Serenity off of the pokémon.]

You can stay at the Center for free. They've got temporary lodging there so they won't kick you out before your brother arrives. Speaking of...

[He hands over the umbrella then pulls out his pokégear and brings up Joey's contact info.]

... Up to you if you want to use my gear or just copy this isn't yours. I imagine receiving a call from what appears to be me won't have him exactly thrilled, even if it's actually you.

Keep the umbrella. That was like 200 pokedollars and that's a drop in the bucket for me.

( serenity isn't super familiar with bakura but she can at least put a face to the name. she keeps the names in her mind for now since she isn't able to contact them at the moment.

when the poke-ride comes to a slowing stop, serenity releases her grasp on marik so that he can move about. the rain is pattering out and the comment about having to deal with his hair goes largely ignored. after everything he's put her friends and family through ( in her timeline ) she's pretty sure he can deal with having to deal with some extra grooming. )

Oh...

( she takes his hand a bit hesitantly although not enough that it gives any tells. serenity's already had her arms around him so taking his hand isn't exactly the worst thing ever. )

...Thanks.

( she takes the offered umbrella and pops it opened to hold it over her head. as he retrieves his pokegear, serenity does the same and takes a moment to mimic opening up the contact list. hers doesn't exactly have several people on it so she opts to copy it. )

Might be better if I call him... So I'll just take the contact of his, thanks.

( wait, is he hoping she'll be impressed by his apparent riches? ...she's not.

she gets the contact information and then glances to marik before flicking her gaze back to the pokegear. )

Hmm... You should give me your contact, too. So I can send a thank you later when I have things more... put together.

[He's done it in his timeline as well. Fresh from Battle City so he's without his split personality but his soul still hasn't fully reformed itself. Which means bratty child that behaves when people are watching but still leans into bad behaviors from time to time.

At least she thanked him without prompting this time.]

Yeah.

[He puts his pokégear away once she's copied Joey's info, thankful that she's going to call him on her own device rather than his.

When Serenity asks for his own so she can give him something, that takes him aback for a moment.]

... Don't worry about it.

[Still, he tells her his username and pokégear number.

Her offer almost makes him feel bad for saying what he's about to ask:]

Can I get my coat back?

( at least they're on the same awful page, then. she's not super ready to forgive him yet -- mostly because she has no idea if joey has. his help has been pretty invaluable although try getting her to admit it. )

I'll ... do my best to pay it forward, then.

( not that she assumes he cares. but she does. she takes his information after plugging in her brother's into the pokegear. when he asks for the coat back, she flushes for some reason and clears her throat. )

Huh? Oh! Yeah, of course. H- Here...

( she pulls the coat off, switching the umbrella from one hand to the other in order to remove it without getting herself ( more ) wet from the water. )

Thanks for the use of it.

[She'll find that Joey is waiting to test him before he goes about forgiving the gremlin.

Marik will just... hold on to that for the time being. She'll pay it forward. Normally he'd think to turn it down but... hmm. That might come in handy down the line.

But then Joey. Ugh.]

Thank you.

[He had been tempted to make a jab about her wanting to keep it because it smells good (he douses everything in his perfume) but decides against it. No need to push his luck. Marik does, however, decide to go for the other low hanging fruit.]

Figured you'd rather not look like one of my old Hunters.

[Because that's why he got that specific coat. It looks a lot like his Rare Hunter cultist robes.

What a goober.

Chenzira, who's been tucked into his coat the entire time, gives him an upward, disapproving glance. Marik folds the coat up and places it back in the saddlebag.]

If you can't get a hold of him...

[Shit. Foot in mouth. It's too late to back out now. Chen nods to himself in approval.]

... let me know.

[The Yamask mutters something to Marik that sounds like "munny?"

His trainer clicks his tongue. Sure, it'll buy him brownie points but it's the principle of the thing.]

... I'll send you some money too so you can buy some supplies or whatever until Joey arrives.

Edited 2023-03-15 18:06 (UTC)

( that's not really so surprising and she's probably going to be the same way although it could be argued that she's seeing his proverbial test right now, as it happens. she isn't convinced though and it'll take more than a raincoat and ride for her to feel better about this guy.

he'll have to choose his "favour" carefully given that joey is, indeed, a significant part of her life and she's very, very likely to pass anything he asks of her onto him.

she arches a brow at his quip about the hunters and isn't overly bothered with it. serenity's not as familiar with them as the others are. but, no, that's not something she wants to appear as whether she knows about them in depth or not.

while he's packing up, serenity is looking over the town she's been brought to and is about to bid him farewell when he offers himself as a call should she be unable to get a hold of joey. for some reason, it colours her cheeks -- it might just be the sheer surprise at a kind gesture from him. serenity just offers a nod because she's absolutely not admitting to herself that she's flushed... besides, it's probably from the weather. )

I'll do that, than-- m, money? You don't have to do that but... it's... nice of you to offer...

( this... this she isn't what to make of. and the "nice" sounds incredibly foreign as it leaves her lips. )

[Which is why he's only being slightly bratty. He knows she'll relay everything to her brother - or so he assumes.

Ah, yes. Serenity was still blind folded when his men tried to capture her. Well, that one fell flat.

When Marik looks back at her as he gets on his Cyclizar, he notices the color to her cheeks and raises an eyebrow. Is she feeling alright? Was it the rain? That's... well, it's not worrisome in the regular sense. He doesn't need Joey playing him for getting his sister sick.]

Chenzira insists. You can grab yourself some more clothes and food.

[The Yamask nods his head from his spot under Marik's chin.]

... Your face is red. You aren't catching a fever, are you?

( he assumes correctly. if joey's around then serenity's 100% going to tell him everything that's come to pass since her arrival which definitely includes running into marik of all people.

indeed, so, she wasn't privy to their style — a flop of a joke for sure. )

Oh. Well, umm, okay...

( best to accept the generosity since it's rude to look a gift horse in the mouth and all. when he makes notice of the heat on her face, she turns her head and taps her chin hurriedly. )

N- No! It must be the rain making me flushed! I'm just going to get inside and it'll be fine.

[He can only hope she paints him in a decent light. Mildly bratty is a better description than terrorized.

Sigh. He can't win them all. (Or any for that matter.)

The Egyptian raises an eyebrow, giving Serenity a look over. An odd way to react if it's just the rain but. Whatever. It's not his problem. Chenzira mutters something else and Marik audibly groans.

Why must his shoulder angel be so good?]

... Chen asks that you message me when Joey finally arrives. He wants to know that you're okay.

( he can rest well knowing she won't paint him in a horrible light. he has helped her after all. but it'll be up to joey where he believes her or not because marik being kind is pretty unbelievable after all the crap he put them through.

it's not odd. it's totally normal. ~~shut up.~~ )

At least Chenzira is sweet. I'll... do that.

( she pauses before adding: ) For Chenzira's peace of mind.

[Considering he's put people through so much his entire damn life, it's completely warranted.

Right. Normal. ~~Serenity, he's cute but that's probably his only redeeming quality. Don't fall for him.~~]

He's very sweet, yes.

[To which it's Chen's turn to blush and he sinks down into Marik's coat to hide himself.]

You've made him bashful - but he appreciates it. He'll answer the gear when you call.

[He nudges his Cyclizar, who playfully "revs up" by doing a wheelie.]

Guess we'll hear from you later. Until then.

[A nod and then he's off to the Ruins of Alph to go visit the Yamasks there.

And to think about this utterly bizarre encounter.]

Edited 2023-03-16 15:23 (UTC)

( that's fair.

~~no worries. she's already fallen/falling for someone else.~~ )

Aww... ( she chuckles at the pokémon's blush. )

That'll be nice. I'll make sure to do so soon.

( she glances to the motorcycle-mon and nods to marik. )

Er, yeah. Bye.

( and she's off on a brand new adventure™. )

Edited (subject line erasure. sorry for edit.) 2023-03-16 16:31 (UTC)

Test Drive Meme - March & April

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sorry for delay.

No need to apologize! I'm always up for backtagging. <3

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playing = blaming* my proof reading skills

my reading comprehension is terrible because i didn't even notice it, lmao.

that's good at least lol

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