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The Wardington Mall was definitely Julie’s favorite place for shopping, but it was made even better with a friend!
"So what do you think, Marucho?" said Julie, holding up a beaded necklace "Should I get this one or one of those other 14?"
"Like I said…that first one looked just fine on you." Marucho sat in chair nearby, face flushed by the girls surrounding him. It was like a feeding frenzy in this part of the store.
How did I get here? Oh, yeah Julie, said she’d go with me to get my new book...
Marucho liked Julie but sometimes she was too much for one kid to handle.
"Hey, look it’s Runo!” she squealed. Marucho left his chair and wandered over to get a better look. “Maybe she can help me dis-"
"What’s wrong Julie-? Hey!" his friend pulled him down below the store display and slid over to a gap in them.
"LOOK at that!" she pointed to Runo with a shopping bag filled with goodies. Marucho was about to speak, but Masquerade -in all of his overdressed glory- followed close behind Runo. Julie fumed "Was Alice coming for a visit and no one told me!?"
"I don’t think she came for a visit Julie" Marucho corrected. Julie’s eyes sparkled
Then what’s he doing here, and with Runo of all people? Does Dan know??
The two followed them from inside the necklace shop, Runo stopped just outside of the stall to organize her bag.
"Okay, that’s all I have on my list. Any places you wanted to go to?"
"I have a game shop export to pick up, you may come, if you like." Masquerade pointed up to the next floor.
"Such an honor" teased Runo and they set off.
"Wonder why Masquerade needs to go to a game shop." Marucho whispered to himself.
"Well, only one way to find out!!"
"What? We can’t just follow them?! That’s what stockers do!”
"Relax, we’re just going in the same direction as they were!” She smiled. And took off after them. Just as Runo and Masquerade bored the mall’s escalator, Marucho caught up to Julie.
"Hold on a moment! Let’s go this way, Julie!" Marucho points at the mall’s large map near the escalator. "This mall only has one game shop, and they’re taking the scenic route! We can loop around this way to get there quicker" he traced his finger over their new route.
"Oh~ you’re so smart!" Julie beams. “Lead the way, little brainiac!”
Halfway up the second level of the mall, Runo took this opportunity for a little fun.
"Sooo, sounds like this isn’t your first time at the mall? Has Alice been here before?”
"Correct.”
He said quickly and stepped off the escalator when they reached the top. Before moving on, he stopped and looked over the railing at all the people below. Runo looked with him.
“If I may ask, how do you remember the things Alice does? Do you remember because you were ‘awake’ when she did it or is like a dream for you?”
Masquerade faced her, her own gaze reflected back to her on his mask.
“No different than a normal memory. The shop’s this way." he pointed over his shoulder and walked away from the railing. Runo followed. He continued. “This place isn’t the newest, so I’ve been coming here frequently.”
“So does this mean, Alice can remember you coming here?”
“If she wants to. My hobbies are kept to myself most of the time.” He stopped and looked up at the sign hanging over the game shop.
"Why?" Masquerade ignored the girl and went inside.
"Knock, knock!" he said out loud. The shop had rows of cards behind glass, on shelves and racks. A small boy popped up from behind the main counter. As Masquerade walked over, Runo expected a long silence from the two of them, but what really happened was something she did not expect.
"Well looked who showed up this fine afternoon, it’s Masquerade! How are you?" He propped his head up on his hand using the counter.
“Just came by to check on things, pick up my import, flex my wealth.” He held up a card to the boy, who perked up at the sight of it.
“Wow, you got a good one!” Runo quickly went up to the counter.
"You know each other?" she asked, face holding a shocked expression.
"Friend of yours, Masquerade?"
"You can call her that” the kid stepping out from the counter. He was in a gray shirt with a blue jacket and pants, his shoes were black and white sneakers, silver arm bands donned his wrists. His hair was black in the shape of a star with a purple strip on ends and oddly had long, spiky blonde bangs. His purple, big eyes were only out done by his smile.
"My name is Yugi Muto. I work in this game shop with my grandpa.” His voice was small and squeaky like Marucho’s, Runo could hear excitement gushing in his tone. “Any friend of Masquerade’s is a friend of mine!” Masquerade looked to one side of the game shop and cleared his throat. Yugi came back over "I’m sorry I’m the only one in the welcoming comity, Yami is asleep right now."
"That is fine”
"Be right back with that export of yours!" Yugi beamed and went through a door behind the counter. Runo slid over to Masquerade.
"What’s the story?" She asked, feeling just like a reporter.
"There’s no story, I just know him"
"Ha… Why do both keep saying 'export'?" Masquerade grabs a card pack off a display on the counter.
"You can read this?" she nodded, then with his other hand he reached into a deck box mounted on one of his belts. "Now can you read this?" Runo squinted at the piece of cardboard.
"I know the words are English, but I can’t read this. Julie could tell you if you ask.”
"Well, that’s kind of the point. Where Julie’s from, they can’t read the cards in this pack but still like to collect them. The same in Moscow, people like things that they can’t read for some reason."
But why call them exports…?
Runo thought for a moment then gasped.
“You’re selling these to other kids? Not for double the price I hope!" Masquerade scoffed.
"Na, they don’t have money anyway, I trade with kids. They like these things more then they should, really.” he chuckled to himself with a white grin, shoulders bounced as he laughed “One even tried to pawn off a diamond ring!”
“I’ve herd of kids like that at Dan’s school, they go insane for those Pokémon Cards too.”
"That’s where I got this for Alice." Masquerade pulled down the caller of his coat to reveal a thin, gold chain around his neck. He pulled it up to show a jeweled, purple flower hanging from the chain. Runo felt a little breathless. Masquerade -the evil brawler- gave Alice some jewelry?? Never did she think he could change so much. "Alice forgot to take it off, so I’m holding on to this for now. Glad you or Yugi didn’t notice it…real awkward." He turned away again. Runo grinned. Dan used to, (and still sometimes) do this when talks with her got too personal. Boys do be like that sometimes.
"That is very nice of you to do for Alice, Masquerade. I bet she loved the necklace." Suddenly a crash came from back. The both of them looked to the door at the same time, “Are you OK back there?” then just as suddenly as the crash, the door burst open, Yugi had a bold look in his eyes.
“Never better my friend! That was just the wake-up call I needed.” Masquerade brightened up instantly at the sight of him.
“Yami! You finally got up, lazy bones.”
“Yes, Yugi and I had a late night organizing our cards. Took more out of me than I thought.” Runo noticed a change in his voice, it a bit deeper now, sounding more confident and sure of his speech. “Now, I should probably pick those boxes up and get your things. Not in that order, of course.” He winked.
"Is that a puzzle piece in your hair?" Runo pointed.
"I love games and puzzles so that would not be odd sighting." he popped back behind the door for a moment. Runo began to wonder a couple of things about Yugi, and what’s his connection with Masquerade? He soon came up to the counter with a tray of packs. “10 Japanese and English booster packs, and this is a card from China!" the nerd beamed.
"China?" Masquerade grabbed the foreign paper. "I know a kid who would love this. Be right back with your tray." He grabbed the side of it by the handle and transported away in a flash. Yami watches with a big smile. Runo was horrified.
"He did this in gen pop?!" she squeals “He never stopped to think about if people will see him??”
"Masquerade does what he likes, besides, Runo I think he was just showing off.”
“Hey- how do you know my name??” Yami scratched the back of his head, eyes cast downward.
“I’m sorry Runo, Yugi and I used to be brawlers. I recognized you the second you got here. Even though we brawled with Darkus Bakugan, we loved how you fought and strategized with your Haos Tigrerra. You two were right there saving the world with the rest of your friends. I am sorry, I should have told you…”
“Wow being recognized as a Battle Brawler and a celebrity in one day. You should have said so earlier, thanks for your help in stopping Naga’s minions.” She held her hand out to him. “You did more for the Bakugan than you’ll ever know.” Yami took her hand in a firm shake.
“Bakugan brawlers are the strongest when we fight along side each other. Yugi and I miss our partner, Siege, but we are glad he’s back home.” Runo was getting odd vibes from this guy, were he and Yugi twin brothers? They had the same clothes on, why hadn’t Yugi come out of the back room yet? How can two people have the same Bakugan partner? Things weren’t checking out right. She looked at the clock on her Bakupod.
“How long is Masquerade usually gone? I can’t be here all day.” Yami shrugged.
“He’s quick sometimes but does take him a few minutes to round up my payment.”
“And you never thought he just steal stuff off from you?”
“Is there no honor among thieves anymore?” That was said by Masquerade, the blond was so close that he was breathing down her neck “Hi” he almost purred.
“Don’t sneak on people like that!” she smacked him with her shopping bag. Masquerade was undeterred and slid over the tray with money and other cards on top to Yami.
“Goodbye guys! It was great meeting you in person, Runo!” the girl waved back at Yami as they left. When it turned quiet, Julie and Marucho peeked out from behind a shelf of Funko Pops just like at GameStop.
“That was interesting,” said Marucho “I think we should leave its none of our business”
“No way!” Julie said back to him “Something is going on with Alice and Masquerade is upset by it.”
“But he’s always been like that, and what are we even to do? Roll up and ask? He’d never with company, plus he will know were spying!”
“We have to try Marucho we just gota’! Two friends are on the line here!”
“Wow! Marucho and Julie from the Battle Brawlers!” Yami shouted.
“Another fan boy…” Marucho trailed off.
“What brings you both by.” Yami released an arm on the counter. “Are you looking for Masquerade and Runo? You just missed them.”
“Hello handsome~” Julie walked out from behind the shelf. “That is what we came here to talk about, care to spill the beans?”
~
When Runo was gone from that place, she pulled Masquerade over to have a word with him “Can you tell me what happened in there?”
“What do need to know?” He asked, sounding most annoyed. He thought the trip was going well. What was her problem?
“How long have you been friends with Yugi?”
“Two, threeish months. When I need more cards, he is the man to go to.”
“Why do you like him so much?”
“A gaming nerd and former brawer that isn’t Dan. He can always play 95% of the time.” (Yugi was originally from the Hokkaido district, so he wasn’t really in the loop about the Masquerade, Doom Dimension thing.)
“Who’s Yami? A brother?” Masquerade leaned into the nearby wall, arms folding against his chest.
“He’s Yugi.” Runo blinked a few times, the blond before her gave no reaction.
“Rephrase that…?”
“Yami is not a negative being like myself, he is Yugi’s persona, or alter ego when they play cards.”
“Wa-? How-?” she stammers on for a moment then found her voice again. “How did that happen?”
“He wanted to play from a different point of view, to be a person who stood strong in a face of a challenge. He has a spirit when he plays and puts his entire heart into the game.” Masquerade looked in the direction of the store with a smile. “It really perks him up when I come by to play. Yami is competitive. For someone who lives with his grandfather, the least I can do is show up.” Suddenly, the mall’s clock rings for the top of the twelfth hour. “Didn’t you say you needed to be back no later than one? I can walk you back if you like.” Runo blankly stairs ahead. The grandfather part sticking in her brain. “Hello?”
“Yes, c’mon, I know a short cut.” She didn’t need him to do this, but it’s fine. As they bord the downward escalator, she looks up at her escort.
So that’s why those three get along, Yugi is another Alice. You feel belonged and can voice your thoughts with someone that understands. But why not tell Alice this to begin with?
“So, Yugi never thought it’s weird to be friends with Yami?”
“Ha, when have I ever hung out with normal minded people?”
“And you don’t think you’re feeding this?”
“Feeding what?”
“Hey guys!!” Shouted a voice. The two look behind them to see Julie running toward them, Marucho not far behind. “What are you doing here?”
“Hey Julie! Marucho!” Runo brighten up instantly. “Doing some shoppin’?” Marucho froze, they forgot about his book.
“Yeah, just that. Same with you?” Julie said, looking at Runo’s bag. As the girls yacked; the boys chatted
“So, what brings you here with Runo?” Marucho asks.
“Just to spending time with her, not much else.” Masquerade rested a hand on his hip
“Fascinating. That is out of the usual for you, may I ask why?”
“I am trying new things.” The smaller blond looked at the two girls deep in chatting.
“It you are still open for trying new things…you wanna go to the book store? I’m heading that way to pick up my order. It’s just over there, and on the way out, if I may ad.” He responds with a nod. A quick walk later, Marucho strolled up to a pickup line and pulls some papers out of his pocket. Masquerade looked around the store. This place was mostly proper books, very few things for younger kids to read. He went to the back of the store with the older books. After looking around he found some medical books and one about conditions. He looked back, Marucho was still waiting. Masquerade opened for The Table of Context. There was a page for a topic he heard of but knew not much about. He flipped to the page number as Marucho walked up.
Why is Masquerade reading that type of book?
“Found something good to read?” the taller blond looked up from the pages.
“I think so, looks to be short read, what about you?”
“You don’t need to twist my arm to get my nose in a book!” he walks off. Masquerade slides down to the carpeted floor, leans against the shelf, and scans the page.
Dissociative identity disorder (DID) is a rare condition in which two or more distinct identities, or personality states, are present in [and alternately take control of] an individual. Some people describe this as an experience of possession. The person also experiences memory loss that is too extensive to be explained by ordinary forgetfulness. DID reflects a failure to integrate various aspects of identity, memory, and consciousness into a single multidimensional self. Usually, a primary identity carries the individual's given name and is passive, dependent, guilty, and depressed. When in control, each personality state, or alter, may be experienced as if it has a distinct history, self-image, and identity. The alters' characteristics [including name, reported age and gender, vocabulary, general knowledge, and predominant mood] contrast with those of the primary identity. Certain circumstances or stressors can cause a particular alter to emerge. The various identities may deny knowledge of one another, be critical of one another, or appear to be in open conflict.
The blond looked over the page with long eyes. What this who he really was? A freak Bakugan incident or a sign that Alice was really losing it. “What’s that?” He slammed the book closed.
And where did she come from?!
Masquerade looked above; Runo was leaning on the shelf that he was behind “How did you know I was here?”
“Oh…you know” she raises an eyebrow and plays with one of her blue pig tales. Masquerade slid the book into the slot, careful not to damage the paper dust cover. “Can I ask you something?” Runo walked over and sat down. He nods “You seem up and down. You were quiet looking over the railing, but chatty in the game shop, it’s like you go back to a mood when you’re not doing something. Last week you were fine and now…”
“So, you took notice…? It’s nothing to do with you, just something personal with my other half.”
“…I won’t ask what it’s about, but have you talked about with her?” Masquerade sighed.
“She will not listen to me when I insist I’m fine. This has been going on for a few weeks now.” Runo’s face tensed up. “What?”
“Weeks? She hasn’t shared any problems with me.” Masquerade was unsure if that was good or bad thing.
“Now that school is back in, Alice thinks I’m shut in all week. I tell her I am fine as is, but she thinks I’m blowing her off and that school dissents us.” He balls his fist and hits it on the floor. “She want’s the best life for me despite me not caring at all!” He huffed a few deep breaths. Runo took her hand a set it on his shoulder.
“Do you only see each other on the weekends?”
“No, we talk after school and contrary to belief I like the quiet, and there’s nothing even for me on the weekdays”
“I’m an only child, so I can’t say anything about two people living and sharing together, but you both are still new at this. She’ll see that soon, Alice not un-reasonable. Just keep trying. Maybe even be a little firmer. Alice is not a flower. She can take you feedback.” Masquerade grabbed the necklace and stared at it for a moment. Runo had good points, and this item was a sign they cared about each other. He could do this. Masquerade stood up with new confidence.
“Wait, you’re here with me then did you leave Julie?” Runo stood as well.
“I don’t know. She said she was going to find Marucho so he could take her back to his hotel. Oh well, they ran off.”
But Marucho was eager to comb the shelves though…
No nether of them in sight, they made their way out of the mall. Mostly everything in the shopping district you could get to on foot, it was when they passed the street market when Runo spoke up again. “Feeling better? You are walking with a good stride.” It took longer for Masquerade to compose a sentence than normal.
“I believe so, I’m no longer choked up. Like I found a winning strategy.”
“You tell me what happens after this, OK? I’m hear for you on this battle.”
“But two on one is a little unfair.”
“Call it tuff love.” He made a friendly laugh as they stroll down the sidewalk.
Tuff love indeed.
Masquerade would never know, but Julie and Marucho were listening to the conversation from behind the shelfs, silently cheering Runo on.
