FOR MALIK

[duranduel]

Comments

w6 sunday

[duranduel]

[Oh, look at Malik vibing! Mandricardo is out in the garden, and he has a few flowers in hand? Looks like he was picking them.]

[He just raises an eyebrow at Malik as he walks by.]

Looking for something?

[godcards]

Sort of.

[ but he stops wandering around like an idiot when mandi addresses him. ]

[duranduel]

What do you mean, sort of?

[Just picking more flowers...]

[godcards]

I don't know what it is.

[ a beat. ]

Maya said I was sleepwalking again and I ended up out here. I think I was out here the first time too, when I was cursed and Mollymauk was killed. It's probably just a coincidence, but I just... wanted to see if it was this spot in particular, or something. I don't know.

[duranduel]

So you're trying to find a pattern, then? Or an explanation?

...Do you sleepwalk in general?

[godcards]

I don't think so. If I do, no one has said anything.

...I just want an explanation, since I don't see how it factors in to anything, or why it happens. If I sleepwalk, it's only after curfew. I'm not a part of either group, I haven't killed anyone here... And this last week, I wasn't cursed. At least I don't think so.

It doesn't really matter, especially since it's not connected to the murders anyway... I just want to know.

[duranduel]

...

[He lets out a scoff.]

This damn place does what it wants, I guess. Maybe No-Name will have an answer for you.

[godcards]

Well, I have an answer for No-Name, too. Regardless of what the answer is...

[duranduel]

...And what answer is that?

[godcards]

I can summon a god that'll erase No-Name from existence.

[duranduel]

[He sort of just. Gapes?]

I thought you were a tombkeeper? What god?

[godcards]

I was... I left when I was younger, but because of my heritage-- I'm chosen by the gods, so I can call upon their assistance. I can only summon the Winged Dragon of Ra for now, but that should be enough.

[duranduel]

...

[That sure is a heritage.]

Can you summon it here, Malik?

[godcards]

Yes and No. I could... but then I have to wait 24 hours until I can summon it again. I haven't summoned it before because I didn't want anyone to know about it. Surely you can understand that, but...

[ but!! he always has his cards on him, so he takes one out for mandi to see. ]

This is it.

[duranduel]

[wow lame gold chicken]




[No, he's nodding.]

Huh. That's pretty cool.

[godcards]

It's better in person. Maybe you'll get to see it. If not... I can always show it off later.

[ presuming the story doesn't kill them all off out of revenge ]

[duranduel]

Oh? That would be nice. You aren't going to throw me under the bus, first?

[sometimes you are Done]

[godcards]

[ even though he sent that text yesterday he forgot about this so this catches him off guard! his expression changes pretty quickly. ]

That's-- It wasn't personal.

[duranduel]

[Staring at him and raising an eyebrow?]

[godcards]

...You said you'd help with extra credit, didn't you?

[ he's flustered... ]

[duranduel]

And what was the extra credit? Explain, Malik.

[godcards]

Falsely accuse someone at trial.

I said I didn't like doing extra credit, and then people like Rita started getting on my case about it... and I thought maybe I'm sleepwalking if I'm not doing it, so... I was going to do it last week, but everyone was accusing me instead. So I accused you, and now it doesn't even matter, because of everything that happened today... so...

[ yeah he just awkwardly trails off there ]

[duranduel]

[...]

[Just like Mabel. I see.]

Okay. [And walking over to clasp his shoulder.] I believe you.

[godcards]

[ he's not looking at him. ]

I knew no one would believe me, even if that meant I might be suspected instead.

[ My name starts with an M too, after all... ]

[duranduel]

...

[He shakes his head sadly.]

I'm sorry you had to get put in that position. So I forgive you. No hard feelings, okay?