(GS3) Home Field: Espoir Mansion

[Jello]

Haruka gave a small wave to Butler-san as well as a huge smile to see him again. He'd been to hell and back, literally, so this was a lovely reunion. Crashing and yelling came from inside several moments later as he went to notify Yukino of his appearance at the manor. He sort just stared around the well-decorated outside of the building. He had been here so many times.

Haruka spent several moments just reminiscing about all of the things he had been through over the years and how these halls never changed and only the people inside do. A wave of nostalgia, then depression ran over him. He shook his head as footsteps approached him. His heart pounded painfully. Sera's grip. But Haruka knew this from a year ago. The way he did this to keep Haruka from doing what he wanted. But Sera wasn't just taking control... what was wrong with him? Haruka was glad he had enough control of himself now but what was keeping him from fighting back?

She appeared, standing there kind of in her soldier outfit. No gloves. No boots. She seemed more than irritated. Maybe Haruka made the wrong call showing up here considering the events prior only a night ago. Some really terrible things happen. He stood frozen for a moment, just blinking at her. If he didn't say something he might get roundhouse kicked. Or worse.

"Yukino..." He let out her name, slowly reaching out. This was probably the most notable sign Haruka had for anybody. His classic reach, for a shake, to hold a hand, to caress their face, to pat their head. He always had to reach out first so they knew it was him caring for them, understanding them, and not just waiting for something to start. He had to make things start.

"Yu-ki-no..." He smiled lightly reaching out for her. Not sure whether he was reaching for her hand, her face. He was just reaching out for... Well.

Something.

"Are you okay?" The injury was still noticeable, for sure.

[Cherry]

Yugure walked down the hall with the maid and Butler-san. While gripping her head in a pain, she gave them orders for the war effort. All they really wanted was for their queen to sit down and relax for more than two minutes. Injury or no injury, she rationalized that necessary work came first. Eventually, they reached... the guest. Yugure's heart skipped a bit at seeing Haruka- no. Don't get lured in. It's Sera - the enemy. The servants left the pair be, and fury welled up. How dare Link Joker's Seed himself arrive at doorstep? Did he suddenly feel guilty and want to die for the hell he caused? Worry not, a blade of courage or a claymore of resolution were more than thirsty enough for the Seed's blood.

Instead, Haruka called a name. Not Sera, but her beloved.

It was her name.

He was reaching out again.

No, no, was this Sera messing around with her? Was it really Haruka?

Was it okay to touch him back?

Tentatively, Yugure's hand went out for his as if metal attracted to a magnet. She took it, and wasn't sure what to do with it.

"... Are you?" Was the response to his question.

[Jello]

"H-Huh? Oh, I'm fine. I guess. We're fine...? I'm not sure how to address this." He sort of stared at her blankly for a second, making sure everything was real. The poor boy died once, it gets really difficult telling reality from truth these days, so he had to at least do that much.

"Can I come inside. I, uhm. I have some explaining to do." His eyes searched around one last time. He more than nervous, not because he was now with Yukino again, but he was frightfully terrified Sera would come out and constrict the poor boy. Yukino has a sword, but has she fought Sera? According to the annals he has stored in his memory... the thing has killed dragons even. Sera was combat trained to kill and that made Haruka a vessel; a weapon.

He shook a bit as she took his hand, visibly still frightened. Not of her, not at all. Just of what he might do.

"You really should get that checked out, by the way." Haruka said that finally smiling for her. She deserved that much. An honest smile to help keep her stable. He was still shaking but he really wanted to not stand in the doorway while discussing this.

This being the fact he died, came back, and merged with an evil entity seeking to destroy everything. If Yukino was anyone else, there is no way in hell these two would have made it as far as they have now.

[Cherry]

The endless trembling, the obvious anxiety, relentless nerves, a feeling of responsibility, and still looking out for her well being... Alright... it was him. The man before her was the same one she fell in love with. Hand squeezing his, acceptance was conveyed. Mind you, hearing Sera being fine resulted in a quiet hissing. Still, he was okay... after death, so that's... relieving? This was just getting confusing, so Yugure simply nodded, stood to the side, and welcomed him into the manor. There was clearly a massive amount of explaining he needed to do, and possibly even a whole mess of info to leak.

While simply happy to be with boyfriend again, guard was not let down. Neither was duty.

[Jello]

With a nod he trudged into the house. The familiar halls sent an immediate rush of nostalgia through his mind. The second he entered the hall, Butler-san greeted him with a large smile and a cup of coffee.

Coffee.

It had been so long since he had a cup of coffee that it took no time at all for him to grab the cup and take one long sip. He breathed out a euphoric sigh of relief whilst turning back to Yukino with a smile.

"Shall we?" He gestured her over to the living room area, the time he had been here was the one time had his first close encounter with Yukino. That was definitely something to remember...

"So. Where to start..." Haruka carefully seated himself, somewhat squirming around in his seat. He was obviously still a bit nervous, but also just worried at any second he knows his heart could turn. The fear was nearly overwhelming.

"So uh, I died! Yeah... Yeah. Uhm." Haruka gulped, putting the coffee done and turning his attention to her.

"You never showed at the culture festival... I dressed as Yunos, it was really cool. Seifer was Mordred and we matched... And then everything went downhill. The next day, I was just really groggy and Sera had been chatting with me all day. Mostly talking my ear into a doze. I vaguely remember sitting down against a wall in the regional hall and then memory lapses. Everywhere. I would wake up in the park for no reason, and then go home... Then I would wake up again in the hospital, sitting in a chair talking to a man the size of a behemoth. And then... I was IN the hospital. In bed. I knew you and everyone were busy, I mean." He sipped his coffee, feeling bad. Guilty maybe.

"You seemed so busy, not responding before anyways, I thought honestly that you just were more concerned with the invasion. It wasn't until the severity of my condition escalated, er, my inner organs had partly dissipated and I was stuck internally bleeding out in bed." He stared at the floor, giving Yukino a moment or two to put her head around all of it.

"Then I woke up. Last night I just, well, woke up. I didn't know I was dead until Sera told me and explained everything. I thought I just fell asleep again until I heard you yelling at me to wake up. I thought I just overslept again until it came to my realization that Ahmes was attacking me. Weird, eh?"

Haruka bit his lower lip, finally raising his eyes to Yukino, looking at her expression, maybe an answer to this?

[Cherry]

Yugure kept herself quiet, unable to really relax with Haruka given the situation. Still, she yearned to simply hear him talk, even if it was a much needed reveal. Giving a signal for Butler-san to go away, they entered the living room. Haruka sat down, she leaned against a chair with arms folded. Waiting for this tale to start... seeing him lost in nerves... the woman couldn't even begin to understand what he had been through. "So uh, I died!" was how the boy started, and the Blasters of Fate proceeded to bash their heads into walls. THAT'S how he starts this?! Bleh... Whatever, they listened to the rest of his story. Yugure had been absent for a time again, so he sounded lonely.

Hearing his down falling health, however, brought surprise and concern to her face. Was he really okay? ... Well, he already died and came back, so...

The Chosen Sword dropped her harsh demeanor. Of course he was lonely. While unable to speak for everyone else, she, as his girlfriend, was missing in action once again, and then forced too much on the war effort to give him the time he deserved.

"I'm sorry", were the first words that came out of her mouth. If it wasn't for Sera... he would've died without them seeing each other. Something to be grateful to the Seed for? ... No, this is probably his fault. Anything to make Sera look like the proper villain he is.

Honestly, the queen just wanted to hug him. But the soldier in her warned that Sera could intervene and stab her in the back. Even so, her hand came down on the chair's arm, motioning herself forward, but stopping. It's because of that warrior mentality she's still alive and kicking for a war she found near-hopeless. So it couldn't just be ignored...

What to do...

[Jello]

"No need. You had a good reason, really." He saw her hesitate to walk over to him. No matter how much he rationalized the reason out and knew that it was totally about Sera, someone they were both aware of, he felt.

Alone.

He felt like he did the past week. In the hospital. Even during the Reverse Assault but still scared and alone and if Yukino wouldn't touch him then there probably wasn't much hope for him left. Maybe... No, nope. No easy way outs.

"You don't have to comfort me...  I'm aware too that he's still there. He's been quiet since I left the beach and came over here. He hasn't even tried to stop me coming here. It was just, weird I guess." His hands shook again, forcing him to grab the cup of coffee and finish it off. Placing it down he just stared at his feet, tapping his feet.

"It's hard to desire a monster, you know?" Haruka sort of just said what was on his mind. He was feeling alone. He wasn't, not really anyways. He had Yukino and he had Hana and he had Seifer and Tsubasa and Darren and Rose and he had friends and people who wanted him alive but no matter how much he rationalized it, he just sat there and felt like a half-breed disasterpiece and all he could do was feel alone.

"I'm sorry, dear."

[Cherry]

Sera didn't stop him? Hmph, a clever ruse. The invader could simply use this vessel, knowing she loved it to death, and lure the Chosen Sword in. Link Joker would absolutely love to have one of the driving forces for humanity to fall straight into a coffin. Then they'll pull her right out and infect. Yes, this is how a pissed off war general would and did think. At the same time, a girl who had worlds crumbling around, and then putting themselves together, knowing they would just fall apart again was willing to take a risk.

"Don't you dare apologize", Yugure hissed. The woman pushed out the scarred general persona, and approached Haruka. Sitting down next to him, an arm reached over the man's shoulder. "You're not a monster, he is. He is not you." These were her words of reassurance. Despite them being merged into one entity, they were still different people. Haruka was a kind, cute, fumbling treasure while Sera was a fiend. How utterly ironic for the alter ego's name.

The arm pulled a bit closer, just to emphasize that reassurance.

[Jello]

Haruka just trembled for a bit, catching his own throat. Sera was indeed him. Before, even he would deny it. But after all that's happened, Sera and Haruka were simply inseparable. Monsters by design.

Despite her best efforts, the war general's embrace only scared the boy a bit more. Its not her fault really. He doesn't want to hurt her but he also just wants to be held and cared for. How contradictory given the circumstances. After a moment, he somewhat moved himself toward her, and allowed her to pull him in a little.

He yearned for a moment. This was a start...

Haruka laid his head in the crevice between her neck and shoulder lighty nuzzling against her, trying to get comfortable.

"Then let me thank you, for having me." He wanted to be nowhere else but within the boundary zones of her arms. He wanted to be nowhere else. Here was just fine with him.

He smiled, even curling his legs up into a ball against himself as he used Yukino as a pillow. He was smiling again. If only more nights were like this. If only they weren't really messed up people. This would be a lot easier, wouldn't it?

[Cipher Izanagi]

Completely unrelated to what's happening here, one of the decks that Yukino had picked up recently, Seifer's Kagero deck (which still has one of her copies of Blaster Blade Liberator in it), started to glow a soft pale red light. The light stayed for several minutes before fading away, and there were now four new cards. They were almost similar to the previous cards that were still revealing themselves. However, while this card had no text, skill wise or name wise, there was something interesting in the top left hand corner of the card. The number was higher than three. It showed up as a four.

[Cherry]

Yugure kindly wrapped the other arm around her beloved sweetheart. As he nuzzled against her neck, she gave a bit of a squeezing embrace, trying not to pain him. A simple gesture that said "Stay here, I love you". Gently cuddling up to him, her head lightly rested on his. Just this once in the middle of a relentless apocalypse, the war general was allowed joy as a lover. Putting on a strong front to ensure emotions didn't overly cloud her duty to see humanity's survival fulfilled... This moment made her forget that purpose. The thought of being humanity's sword was gone. Even though that mentality was wrong... Yugure didn't care to be right if it meant being without Haruka.

The queen's mind lost itself in their time, smiling with him. Unknowingly falling asleep after such long days and weakness from injuries overtaking her...

...

"My lady..." Butler-san whispered.

Yugure almost snapped, waking up from the first peaceful slumber she's had in years... but she didn't want to wake Haruka up. "What..." she quietly moaned. Two bits of information were given. A new text arrived on her cell phone, from the princess. Second, something happened to Seifer's Kagero deck. Dismissing himself, an arm kept itself around Haruka. Yugure's other free arm checked the deck, seeing a new card having made itself known, filling the empty four slots of the deck. Most shockingly, this card was... Grade Four. Ahmes noted that he knows what it is and knows what Seifer's dreams were, yet, he'll explain once they meet up with him. Furthermore, the text was signalling round two with the black winged angel. At the amusement park, no less. As much as the queen didn't want to leave Haruka, duty called.

Slowly and cautiously moving about, the soldier got up from her seat, gently laying Haruka down. A blanket was put over him, and one of the fluffiest pillows in the country were delivered for his sleepy head.

Yugure crouched down, planting a kiss on his cheek.

They'll both be back here before they know it.

Yugure put on the rest of her clothes, and grabbed one of the Reality Bangles on her workshop's desk. It turned into a mixture of paladin coloring, and equipped itself to her arm.

"It's a prototype, but it'll have to make due."

The queen departed with Seifer's deck cases hooked to her waist.

[Jello]

He wasn't shaken particularly by the slight movements and in fact didn't even wake up when Yukino ended up leaving. Though he somewhat felt the kiss on his cheek and squirmed around a little bit with a tiny smile. He was comfortable and in a good place, he couldn't really figure out what was wrong with this picture-

Sleep well?

Haruka's eyes shot open, only to hear the front door close and the room become silent. He clenched his teeth shut, not wanting to alarm the other workers and staff that he was awake. He simply spoke through his teeth in ragged whispers, either furious or terrified, Haruka needed to know some things and this was the only way to figure it out.

"Sera, where have you been? Did you even try to stop me from-"

Shut up and listen for a second. Haruka. I understand fully well that this is not fair. My people aren't exactly fair in the first place. But I want to make it clear that you still deserve to do... as you please. To some degree. Staying the night with your beloved, wrapped in a comforting embrace. That is, within that boundary. The only thing I must prevent you from doing is harming your own body, as I need it as well to continue forward.

Haruka whimpered a little, feeling sort of bad for Sera. Well, he was a crazed mass murderer with the capability of killing thousands, but at least he tones it down for Haruka. How sweet.

"So why are you here now...?"

Because you got what you wanted. A night with Yugure-

"Yukino."

Yukino. You got a mostly stress-free night without my intervention. I am capable of being nice, no?

Haruka still felt sick to his stomach, but at least Sera provided him this much in the way of freedoms. No use debating it anymore. He simply turned on his side, and closed his eyes. He would patiently wait for Yukino to return... maybe have some coffee with Butler-san too.

If you insist. Sleep well then, I'll keep watch.

How he intended to do that, Haruka had no idea since they both fell asleep at the same time, as they were a merged conscience. What a weird thing to say Sera.

[Hope]

The Princess sipped some tea and sat down in their living room. One of fifty.

Many things were on her mind of yesterday. Her other decks had returned, giving her welcoming embraces and welcoming words. Minette gathered up all her data, making a compilation of it along with hers. She promised him that the nature of the idea would be kept secret from everyone for his sake. Meer was lively as usual and Reit was doing fine, thankfully reflecting on Mi-hime's condition. Star Rain and Nociel began getting along as honorary "bffs" in the "best girl association."

All was well.

[Jello]

Another night in the Espoir Mansion. According to Sera he saw nobody come in or out of the house, which Haruka knew was a lie because fresh coffee was on the table meaning that Sera also fell asleep, as to confirm Haruka's prior suspicions.

Baka.

Sitting up on the couch, he gave out an exaggerated yawn as he stretched and reached for his coffee. He had been waiting for Yukino to return from her trip to wherever it was, but she didn't return immediately. Maybe she was home and doing something else? She could also just as easily be still out doing something. Haruka confirmed if they ever did get married, he would be the stay-at-home type while she does the outside work. Seems more fitting that way, since she is more often than not out doing work.

Apparently Butler-san also left him a change of clothing on the satin armchair in the corner of the room, with a note.

-Sleep well sir? Splendid! I'm in the kitchen as always if you are need of my services, coffee or Cardfights, I am always prepared! Until then. -Shinji."

...

Butler-san's name was Shinji? H o l y-

Haruka took the clothing and dressed himself in the hall bathroom. Pretty casual stuff, a cotton, white, button-up short sleeve shirt, and dark brown slacks. Not particularly attractive colors, but they would work for the day. Nothing he was opposed to or anything.

Walking downstairs, he knocked on the hallway wall, as per usual. That was a superstition of his; it actually didn't mean anything really, but he felt very out of place if he didn't. A bit obsessive perhaps, but the habit has served him well enough these days. However on his trek back down to the kitchen he happened through one of the few hundred living rooms of the home and stumbled upon a not-so-reversed Hana. He stopped in the hallway just looking at her, then averted his gaze.

"Hey. How're you feeling?"

Nice opening words. Except you're supposed to be me right now.

Shut up.

Oh yeah, ever since they merged entities, they finally learned how to speak through the mind and without having the one controlling the host have to talk out loud. Nice! 10 Points to the crazy boy with two personalities.

Carry on.

"A lot has happened after all, I mean." He leaned against the door way, shifting his weight to one side. He brought an index finger to the side of his face awkwardly scratching the side of his head, for emphasis that everything sort of felt out of place.

[Hope]

Upon ( Haruka-Sera's? ) question, Hana silently took out her Angel Feather deck box, removing Ramiel Reverse from the case and slamming it onto the living room table which was in from of her. She looked back at Haruka with a menacing glare, outstretching her right hand, twitching it constantly as reverse energy fluctuated from it. It twisted and turned at her will, slowly merging onto her back to form wings of darkness. Her dark angel-like features slowly returned.

"I'm feeling... better than ever!" She grinned, using her void-infected hand to grab the reverse unit from the table. "Are you... strong?" An emotionless voice asked.

Then she put the card back into the box and collected her remaining reverse energy back into the bracelet which she was wearing. That was a joke, a good joke. Hana never knew what too far was when it came to these anyways. Nociel and Star-Rain, the "bffs" gave the performance a thubs up while Meer said that it didn't quite go up to her idol standards. Hana must still be a little rusty then. She was able to detect void energy effortlessly now though, and control it a little, though not as strongly as before.

"So by the way this feels..." She tilted her head. The energy felt warmer. Haruka always was letting out heat, but the kind of void energy that was being released from Haruka at least to her was different. "So Haruka you er.... Yeah I'm sure you're Haruka. You were re-born?... Had a..." Nudge. Nudge. "Re-birth?"