moderndayghost | (no subject)

Although no one is really there, something obviously brushes through the cloud of smoke as Ryo exhales. It couldn't have been just a draft, not with how the smoke moves.

Something Ryo tries to hide (unsuccessfully or not) is that he's intensely superstitious. He doesn't believe in an after life, but (peculiarly) he fervently believes in ghosts.
So even though he'd been this side of spacing out a second ago, he stops short, eyes wide.

There's a little giggle in response, from everywhere and nowhere in particular all at once. Oh, this is too much fun.

"Boo."

It's not a voice he recognizes, but he tries to figure out where it's coming from. It's probably a prank, he tells himself. He's seen all kinds of tricks.

"Hello?"

"Right here~"

And there's the feeling of a fingertip running right down the back of Ryo's neck.

He straightens up, shivering, but too conditioned to this to jump away. Typically a touch against the back of his neck means a knife.

"Who-who are you? ...Abdiel?"

For now, Joshua backs off, but there's still a giggle. Another flicker through the smoke hanging in the air - it's a vaguely human shape.

"Mm, sorry. Not even close."

Ryo slouches a little, to appear less threatening (as if he could appear so in the first place).

"My name is Bakura. Uhm, Ryo Bakura."

That giggle comes again, and for a moment, there is nothing. Hmm. He knows that name...

After a second or two, there's a faint, shimmering outline standing right in front of Ryo. And it doesn't take long before it fades into a more solid form.

"You're friends with Alphonse-kun, I believe?"

His brow furrows a little.

"Uhm, yes. I am. He's...my boyfriend. Who are you?"

What are you would be a less tactful but more accurate question.

A moment more, and the light fades, slowly. Within seconds, it's completely gone, a pale, thin boy left in its place.

"Joshua. Nice to meet you."

His eyes widen a little. Why hadn't Al told him Joshua was a ghost?

"Hello. I've heard so much about you."

"Have you, now? I suppose I should be flattered."

Joshua's hands slide into his back pockets, and he gives Ryo an easy smile.

"Yes, they're all good things."

Laughing softly.

"What are you doing out this late?"

"I wouldn't expect any less from Alphonse-kun."

One hand lifts back up, brushing away a bit of hair from his eyes.

"I don't sleep much. And staying in one room all the time is a little boring, wouldn't you agree?"

"Mmhmm," nodding. "That's why I'm out here, too. Just looking for a book."

A lie.

"Is that so?"

Joshua tilts his head, tapping his fingers against his lower lip.

"You're taking your time getting to that book, then."

"It's not a very good book."

He smiles politely.

"Do you want to come with?"

"I suppose I could."

He smiles back, but tilts his head.

"If it isn't a very good book, why read it in the first place?"

"Because it's pretty boring here when you're alone. And you never know who you'll meet."

He laughs and rubs the back of his neck, and then slowly begins leading the way to the library.

Hmm. That's an interesting answer, really. He'll follow along, at Ryo's side and a step behind.

"Do you meet a lot of people, Ryo-kun?"

"Sometimes. I mean, I try not to meet the same people twice here. It's too complicated."

He turns the corner, and holds the door open for Joshua.

"Oh? But you've met Alphonse-kun several times, to my knowledge."

He slips through the door, turning and waiting.

"He's different."

He says it very quietly, as if he hopes Joshua won't hear it--or won't be able to make out the words if he does. A passive way of trying to protect Al.

But Joshua did hear it, unfortunately. He smiles, tilting his head.

"Different in what way?"

Ryo looks away, trying to protect Al in whatever way he can.

"Doesn't he seem different to you, too?"

Joshua gives a fond little chuckle, lifting a hand and brushing hair from his face.

"A little, yes. But what is it that you see in him that's different?"

"He cares. About- people, and himself."

"A rare quality in such a selfish world."

"That's why you like him, too, isn't it?"