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[firstrateduelist]

Much like existence in Lab, this is not pretty. But you can bug Kaiba here. =P

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OH, HEY, SOME GOOD CHEMICALS AFTER ALL?!? (tw: end of experiment mentions, but overall feelgood?)

[knife_to_meet_you]

As much as Sunny wanted to spend some quality time aggressively writing on the laptop to insult whoever chose to use water during the latest experiment... electronics and him coughing water far too often didn't exactly agree.

He had not seen Chuuta since his... fall, nor seen Seto since the experiment started and he hadbeen mostly on his own the entire time. After all, if no one could enter in the room, no one can see Sunny struggling to keep his lungs 'clear' right?

The teen was sitting on his bed, folding humid paper in the shape of stars, moons and comets, doing his best job at 'ignoring people'- one of the best perks of having a room where no one can enter is having a wonderful chance not to have anyone around.. right?

"Psh..."

IN short, another wonderful day in Paradise The Lab.

[firstrateduelist]

So much for not having people around, it seems, as the door to his room slides open. however, instead of an Enforcer, or his roommate, he's met with...nothing? Nothing at all.

You know, until suddenly it IS something: a small, quadrupedal something that traipses in with a half-chewed tray in its mouth, looking incredibly frumpy.

It's...it's a dragon. A cat-size blue-eyed white dragon that Sunny might recognize the design of--Seto had asked for an origami of it.

As far as it--he, specifically--is concerned, the world's against him. All he could reach was a small fallen tray, but nothing to eat, and he's hungry! Making noises at people hasn't yielded much result, but the little creature has a good feeling about this one. This one feels...friendly. Correct. And this door felt like his. His door. His room.

His person, maybe?

Dropping the tray, the dragon squares up on all fours, raises its head and neck towards Sunny, then lets out a roar.

Raooooowr!

Hello he is uncomfortable when we ar not about him?

[knife_to_meet_you]

When Sunny turns his head to the door, he looks both tired and wary, like someone on an airplane who has just been told every single seat around him has been reserved by a child... just to absolutely light up when he spots the dragon. It was NOT crying and boring human babies, no, it was LIZARDS ALL AROUN.

"Baby?"

As far as Sunny knows, being an enforcer has its perks. Yes, it may destroy your mind and turn you into a pale copy of the person you used to be, making you turn against friends and family, chasing the 'high' of Light making, but it DOES come with some small positives... right? There's access to a lot more things, even if there seems to be a trick or two around any of that, and... didn't Chuuta mention 'more plants' at some point?

DID SETO GET ACCESS TO HIS OWN PET???!? THE DRAGON HE SEEMED TO LIKE THAT MUCH?

DOES THAT MEAN SUNNY GETS TO SHARE A ROOM WITH A BABY DRAGON?!?!?

The gasp that escapes his lips is filled with genuine delight and Sunny's cheeks gain a lot of color as he moves up from his spot and crawls in the lil guy's direction. How should- is this a hallucination? It has to be, right? He hesitantly reaches forward, trying to touch 'them'... only yo let out a small squeal when his hand doesn't just pass through the silver scales.

"Friend!"

Yeah, sorry Seto, this memory will haunt both of you once you're back to yourself but also... friend. Friend shaped lizard... who looks hungry? The food tray is to request food, not an origami, right? Let's forget for a moment all the bad things he recently dealt with, this is a moment of pure bliss...

"Nom nom?"

Sorry again, buddy, he cannot really articulate things better at the moment.

[firstrateduelist]

The dragon might not be a prodigy like his predecessor

(because this is in fact Seto Kaiba being experimented on)

but he does have a few braincells in there that help him parse emotions, intent, and who to trust, all based on instinct. His instinct here is telling him that this person is trustworthy, even if he does initially balk from being touched.

The fact that he does not bite is testament to his patience with Sunny, and he's rewarded for it! With a low trill, he pushes up into Sunny's hand. acceptance? Acceptance!

Friend.

Another thing about the dragon? He can understand some sounds as words. So when Sunny makes those sounds, the dragon paws frustratedly at the tray and snorts loudly. Then, as if to punctuate that point, and in the cutest way possible, its empty belly lets out a growl.

(here lies sunny murdered by cute)

"Mrrr," the dragon laments.

[knife_to_meet_you]

Sorry, mister Seto Kaiba. The little Dragon in front of Sunny is a solid 300% higher than the blue eyed teen in Sunny's personal scale of 'I like' and he has known 'them' for less than a minute now.

When things will go back to normal they'll both have to sign their own NDA about Sunny blushing and acting all cute around what is Seto deep down but also... for the moment the one eyed teen just doesn't know better. This has to be Seto's new companion and a reward for a -ugh- job well done.

He doesn't push his luck when the litle guy pushes against his hand, no mater if his cheeks turn bright pink and his lips dangerously curl up on one side making it almost a smile. But speaking of memories they'll want to absolutely obliterate from orbit...

"I love you."

Direct. Clear. Well, maybe not THAT clear but it's still short enough Sunny can say it decently enough and the intensity of the sentiment is there. He misses Mewo He will not acknowledge with himself what happened to that cat, Sunny repressed that memory even harder than he pushed away what happened to his own sister and this is the first 'pet' who allows him close enough. There were a few, but those were peole, they avoided him even like that, but this is... Seto's dragon.

They probably have a name, Sunny makes a mental note of 1) not showing too much how much he likes the pup 2) asking Kaiba once he's back from whatever madness he's being involved with at the moment.

And while he's not necessarily murdered by cute (not on the spot), he's certainly affected by its power. The stomach growl? It gets Sunny to bring both hands to his cheeks for a moment, he feels so... blessed? What a shame he has no real food...

"... kay."

He has a pathetic food bar, a nibble has been taken as well, but he's eagerly passing it to the dragon already. Here, little guy...

[firstrateduelist]

Perhaps later, sometime, Kaiba will detest himself and Sunny, but mostly the scientists for what they have done. He might actually rebel more knowing what they did.

But for nwo he is a dragon with no prior memory of Seto Kaiba's existence, and when he's treated so well, it gets him to make more happy trills and bunt Sunny's hand affectionately. He also loves you, maybe. It depends very highly on whether you have--

oh my dragon god.

oH. OH?!?! YOU HAVE PROVIDED THE DRAGON WITH SHITTY FOOD.

His tail swipes bakc and forth in excitement, before pouncing on the food bar and not really caring that it sticks a little to his claws as he holds it in place and takes a very large bite.

YES.

ABUNDANCE!

SUNNY YOSHIDA YOU ARE LOVED WHOLEHEARTEDLY BY A CREATURE.

Hilariously, the bar is meant to satiate a humanoid-sized creature as a full meal so the dragon only manages two bites before he's satisfied. And even that was more than he needed. Look at this gluttonous dragon, licking his claws as if he's never eaten anything in his life at all, and has been provided with the greatest gift which has ever been created.

"Prrrrrrr."

Ne, shiteru?

Dragons purr.

[knife_to_meet_you]

The look Sunny gives the dragon... oh, he will be the first one absolutely detesting the scientists and himself for all of this, but he does look at the little creature like it's the single most beautiful thing in the whole world He loved a plant like it was the best pet, at least in that place, having a whole baby dragon moving around is a literal dream come true.

The dragon is purring for fuck's sake.

Sunny has butterflies in hs stomach and while part of his brain is thinking of Mewo- for the moment he can push negative feelings to the side as he looks at the little boy purr. Girl? Boy? He can't really videogame his way into a 'are you a boy or a girl' question with a big lizard so for now he'll default to... to girl? Yes, it feels right, after all he can joke with Lettucehead and just call the dragon 'his girlfriend' and until further clarification...

"Whos... good?"

Who is a good girl? WHO? He won't touch the half eaten bar, not now at least, but he does crawl on all four to get as close as he will be allowed to.

"B-beauty..."

[firstrateduelist]

The dragon seems pleased enough to be picking bits of bar from between its toes, and has an odd aloofness about it despite very clearly having put Sunny on the highest pedestal. This is bliss. This is affection.

But it's not until Sunny compliments him that the creature again turns its attention to him, doe-like blue eyes fixating for a moment, before it tilts its head and lets out a chirp.

Who's good? He's good, clearly! And so is Sunny, as evidenced by the dragon getting back on all fours and padding closer to bunt his chin. He has absolutely no shame. He is a dragon, and why would a dragon have any shame t all? They're proud creatures, and it follows with this one that it would enjoy being complimented.

It flutters its wings, and the scutes that make up its body seem to shift and embiggen somehow. Pleased. PLEASED!

Enough that it does eventually decide to do three circles, then curl up in front of Sunny like a proper little loaf. An inquisitive chirp almost seems to inquire: Pets?

[knife_to_meet_you]

He isn't even sure this isn't one massive dream or hallucination, this is the kind of things that usually only happen when he's OMORI and he's the coolest kid in the entirety of Headspace, not when he's Sunny- still, if it is one? It's not as scary as what he saw right before falling into water, if anything this is comfort and joy in every possible way.

He should probably study this creature if it's real and even if it's just some level of advanced vision he should take advantage of this 'exposure' so he can maek better origamis for Seto, right? RIGHT? It's not like he's completely charmed already-

"Mhm!"

YES, SHE IS A GOOD GIRL! Sunny's heart races at the little head bunt- more compliments? He nods. He can TRY. He WILL try.

"Pretty." Girls like being called that, right? And Dragon is dead drop gorgeous. But girls aren't just that, they also like- "cool." being complimented like that, right? And that should work with a boy as well. "Best!"

A wise nod following the last word before he tops and looks at the little loaf. Is this... a greater calling? Is it his time to shine? Like in 'How to Treat your Dragon', HTTYD in short, Sunny brings one hand forward. He doesn't know what kind of pets is deemed acceptable by such a divine creature, so miss(ter?) loaf should at least enlighten him, right?

"Yes..."

Pets. All of them as long as he's allowed to keep her(him?) around. This truly is what love feels like, isn't it?

short sweet and then i sleeps

[firstrateduelist]

This dragon...has only recently begun to make memories. He has accidentally barged into people's rooms by virtue of Kaiba being his original identity, and therefore, having all the entrance rights of an Enforcer, as well as being able to use the elevator, albeit with some troubles.

Of all the people he's met, Sunny is the one he thinks that he might like the most. So he is the one who is allowed to touch. The dragon flops onto his side, revealing his plump little belly. The scutes aren't soft, but even so, Sunny's pets are met with pleased purrs and happy tail swishes. They're still full of sensation, and the dragon is full of affection, enough so that if allowed he'll eventually scoot closer to steal some body heat from his new acquaintance.

This is love, isn't it?

Re: short sweet and then i sleeps

[knife_to_meet_you]

Sometimes life is beautiful.

Sunny cannot even remember the last time he had been glad to be alive and this may be a tiny fleeting moment, but it's something he will forever treasure. Touching the little scales on the dragon's belly? Divine. Being a little space heater for The Creature? A blessed thing. It truly is love.

With pink cheeks and a still vaguely shocked expression, Sunny actually manages to chirp in the dragon's direction while trying to make him a F R I E N D.

It'll only be worse once Seto is back to himself and will remember Sunny scatching his stomach and make baby sounds in his direction, but fortuantely enough Sunny doesn't have to worry about it. Yet.

[firstrateduelist]

The noises are met with more headtilts and confusion, before the dragon chirps back himself. Are they communicating?! Who even knows! The dragon sems to think so, if he's answering back, or maybe he's simply flattered that Sunny is trying to speak to him in the way he was spoken to.

"Rrrraaawwrrrgh."

For a few more moments, the dragon allows himself to be pet, but then eventually, he pads over to the half-chewed tray he'd come in with and begins to bite and tear at it, shredding it into smaller bits. This is his room, he's fully decided this based on all the evidence, and so he's going to make a proper nest!

This child needs something to think about that isn't pain. Dargon time?

[puzzleshounen]

Ever since Yuugi had entered the lab once more, his mind was clouded by so many things.

Thoughts.

Memories.

People who weren't there. A new room. New roommates. New facilities that he didn't even know about before.

Enforcers. Light creation. Memories. Different versions of himself.

Miss Ishizu's truths. Kaiba's answers. Menes's friendship.

He was curled up on his bed, knees to his chest as he stared out towards the door, counting the amount of pockmarks in the metal as a little game to play by himself:

How much had this place changed since he was gone?

Did he ever leave?

Was Grampa and his family okay?

Was...he...?

No. He needed air. He needed to breathe.

Maybe he could slip out of the room to just breathe air that was different from the stuff in his room.

The door slid open, and he stepped with uncertain feet into the hallway.

dargon time

[firstrateduelist]

Immediately following the sound of the door sliding open is a sharp but high-pitched growl, followed by a flurry of movement accompanied by audible clickclickclick! sounds.

Seems as if Yuugi had taken something by surprise, even causing it to drop the piece of crumpled plastic it was carrying in its jaws and scrabble several feet away.

A tiny dragon. That was a dragon. A dragon squared up with its wings spread as if it expected a threat of some kind.

And he snorted indignantly at Yuugi for the shock.

1/3

[puzzleshounen]

That...

That was. Um.

Um

Uh.

2/3

[puzzleshounen]

That was a dragon.

A dragon...?

He'd seen harpy people and definitely saw people like Logan before, so he shouldn't have been surprised, but why the heck was something this...

This...

3/3

[puzzleshounen]

Small and cute here?!

Was this poor thing a prisoner of the lab, too? It seemed like Yuugi startled the poor thing, at any rate. Maybe he should apologize to it?

"Oh, um. I'm sorry! I didn't mean to bump into you."

He smiled, and unlike his usual smiles, this one actually met his eyes, gentle and warm.

"Are you...another prisoner here?"

[firstrateduelist]

The Dragon Formerly Known as Seto Kaiba can read the intent out of Yuugi's tone, at least enough to know he's not posing a threat. The wings slowly furl behind him, but he stays on all fours rather than to sit and show weakness.

Yet.

Also that's too many words for him to derive meaning from, so the dragon merely cocks its head to the side and lets out a curious trill at Yuugi's question.

"Mrrrrrh?"

His plastic, as of the moment, is left forgotten.

[puzzleshounen]

Hmmm...

Can they not understand him? Was he like a dog, where he understood tone instead of words?

Yuugi took a small step forward, but only just slight...

Before kneeling down to the dragon's...er, height. It was best to be eye-level with animals, right...? That's what he did when he pet dogs and cats back home. Though a dragon was hardly a cat...

"I'm Yuugi," he said, "It's nice to meet you."

If he extended his hand just slightly, just enough to leave it there, would that do anything?

Cats and dogs liked it when you approached slowly, after all...

What about dragons?

[firstrateduelist]

Hm. So he's coming closer, to try and make the dragon feel more comfortable. Fair enough. Respectable. The small creature can also parse a little more out of Yuugi's words now that there's not so many with what it deemed to be complex sentence structure.

Yuugi is a name. His tone is friendly. He is approaching?!?

Oh. Just his hand though. That's fine. The dragon takes a few steps forward, then nudges the fingers with his snout. Yuugi's existence has been accepted.

[puzzleshounen]

This...

Was the single cutest thing he had ever experienced in his entire life.

Yuugi Mutou must have somehow died, gone to Heaven, and found himself in the halls of the lab just to find this adorable little thing that was nudging his hands as though he wanted to be...

Could he.

Could he pet him.

Could he gently pet the dragon snoot.

[firstrateduelist]

That's a good question. Can he pet the dragon snoot? As soon as his fingers go in for the attempt, the dragon pulls back, snorting loudly. It's not aggressive, but it seems he's not sure about all of that yet. It was one thing to have let the one in the Room Which Was His touch him. Not only had Sunny offered food, but he just felt right.

Yuugi...doesn't feel the same kind of right. But still trustworthy enough.

Nothing worth having is easy though, so perhaps Yuugi shouldn't give up. Especially when the dragon steps up again and bunts his fingers sharply. What is he trying to communicate here?

[puzzleshounen]

Wasn't that the question of the millennium?

"Oh! Sorry! I didn't mean to--"

What was he trying to say? Did he...?

"Do you...want something to eat?" Yuugi asked. "Is...that what you want? I don't...really understand."

What did dragons eat, anyway? He was too small to eat people, and most of the food in the lab wasn't exactly appetizing...but maybe he could find something he could chew on, like a dog chewed on bones...?

Or...

[firstrateduelist]

Food? Food acceptable! The dragon's tail sways back and forth, not so much a wag as a vague gesture of one. Food was on the short list of things he wants, which also includes objects. Interesting ones, perhaps even shiny sorts?

Yuugi was in luck regardless, the dragon was a veritable disposal and enjoyed collecting objects. It wouldn't take much to appease it.

It bunts his fingers again, more insistently this time.