a welcome;

[mallowmods]

Who: Everyone and everyone!
What: Welcoming in the new members to Mallow Hallow
Where: Everywhere!
When: March 2nd.

[ Once everyone’s settled in their particular districts, no doubt thousands of questions running between each individual mind, there’s an announcement. Not over the devices, but rather in speakers all over each and every district. A familiar voice should ring out—you did, after all, hear the voice of your Queen earlier today. ]

Ahem! Can you hear me? Ah, right then.

Hello loveies! You might recall this particular visage which speaks before you—that is, I am your Queen. Call me Queenie, if you must! I’ve met you all on this particular day, and I find it important to bestow some of my boundless knowledge onto you, sweethearts.

Now! Done with formalities, let’s see where we stand… ah, yes! Might I be the first to welcome you all to Mallow Hallow, our wonderful little country. Not too big, not quite too small either! It’s just lovely, isn’t it? Oh, how all my new babies will love it here! Or—perhaps not. [ She clicks her tongue. ] Either way, it doesn't really matter. You're stuck here for the time, so do try to make the most of it, dears.

Of course, there are our sectors within Mallow Hallow. Six… [ There’s silence for a short moment. ] Yes, there are six, aren’t there..? Well, six different communities you might stem off from! Surely you remember the name from our meeting earlier? If not, I’m sure one of the regular inhabitants of each particular district will assist you in naming your new home!

Live where you’d like, eat what you’d like, do what you’d like! Our homes are now your homes, so please, consider us all a big happy family to you! Remember you can reach me or any of the other rulers of any of the districts, over at our voicemails! [ Somehow, that seems sarcastic… ]

Also, don’t cause any trouble, or I’ll personally end you. [ There it is. ]

I suppose that's all. Well then, bye now, dears! And let the word spread—Mallow Hallow is up and rising once again!

[ ooc: Quick links: Lochwell | Mallowhallow | Orlea | Astralfield | Crystalden | Highcrest | Whitewood | Network ]

Comments

[clusteringhopes]

[ And really, it's as if that's all Yuusei needs to hear. The nameless pharaoh, Atem... yes, he knows about that and the connection between him and Yuugi, and it all seems to fall into place as a result of those words. The way he holds himself reminds him of that duel, the moment when Yuusei noticed more confidence coming from Yuugi as he stood next to him and faced off against Paradox with Juudai.

In that moment, a small smile tugs at the corners of Yuusei's lips. 'We are friends.' Who was he to ever deny something like that, anyway? And from the looks of things... bonds really have transcended time. And likely alternate universes or timelines. ]

In that case, it's good to meet you again. [ Because somehow, it's a little easier to be friends with someone who already considers you just that. ] I'm sure our meeting from before was probably a little better than this.

[pregames]

[It's strange to see that familiar smile and hear that voice and know they'd be starting over. It's strange to be so acutely away of his role as the nameless pharaoh and stand here before another from his world, the only one with his memories in tact. It's strange but it starts to put him at ease. He was still at the start of his journey, just starting to forge those bonds that Yuusei put so much stock in but he was beginning to see what that meant.]

Admittedly, the roles were somewhat reversed. [The smile is met with a small shrug.] I suppose it's my turn to tell you about it but we would be here for quite a while.

[And here, standing around in the street, wasn't really the best place for that kind of thing.]

[clusteringhopes]

[ Yuusei simply shakes his head at that as he closes his eyes. ]

I'd say I have all of the time in the world, if I really am stuck here.

[ He opens his eyes and lifts his gaze to the sky, the smile disappearing as a frown takes over instead. It's likely he's seeing things, but he could swear he's just seen Arc Cradle in the sky, looming dangerously overhead like a constant reminder of a future that he has to change. The thought makes his stomach flip with uncertainty, but he swallows thickly and brings himself to look at Atem once more. ]

Though, I have to ask, and I can only hope that you know the answer... [ Yuusei turns away to look around for a moment, then looks over his shoulder at Atem. ] If we're here... what is the state of things at home?

[ Granted, it's rather off-topic, but it will at least ease his mind if the answer is favorable. ]

[pregames]

[Atem knows that look. He’s seen it on so many of the faces that come and go and it seems to be permanently fixed on the visitors in this world. He himself wore it once and he still feels that longing from time to time but it’s different for one that has lost their life with only uncertainty to return to. But he gives Yuusei time to process whatever he’s thinking about it.]

Being from your past, I would not know exactly. [He offers a look of pure empathy.] The last time, in the place we met before, we eventually learned that those who returned home experienced no loss of time. They would be in their world, from the moment they left, completely unchanged.

[Ever the pragmatist, he can't help adding...] Of course there is no guarantee that the same is true here.

[clusteringhopes]

[ Yuusei seems hopeful for a moment, content with believing that it would be the same in this place, but as Atem adds that, the light in his eyes dies down and he remains silent for a moment, processing the information.

If Atem's been through this kind of thing before, with suddenly appearing and having to learn and adapt to new surroundings, then doesn't that mean the situation is the same? It may not be the same place that Atem was before, but as long as the pretense is similar, then the way it works should be as well. And Yuusei also knows that if he doesn't at least keep up the hope that what Atem has said applies here as well, then all he'll do is shut himself out as he tries to find a way to leave.

And if Yuusei has to guess, there isn't a way to leave. So the best thing he can do is just... hope that it's the same, and run with it. It'll keep him more at ease, keep him from worrying himself sick about the state of his home. Essentially, it's his only option to believe in something like that. ]

Let's just hope that it's the same then.

[ Yuusei relaxes his stance a little, glancing around once more to try to find a better place for them to properly sit and talk. ]

Would you like to find somewhere to sit, or do you have somewhere to be?

[pregames]

[As pharaoh, Atem had a keen sense for knowing when to speak up and when to play the part of the quiet observer and more often than not it was the later. Perhaps that was why that had gotten along so well. One didn't need to say a lot to understand. Understanding was written in quick glances and small gestures and the sometimes not so small silences. Yuusei seemed to understand that better than anyone.

What he was telling the pharaoh now was that they still had a lot to learn, both about their circumstance as well as each other but that was anything but an omen.]

I have all the time in this world [He smirks at the implication of anything else.] And I think I saw a few restaurants back that way if you like.