Ayami winced as the attack went through, her Life Points going down by 100 as the Unicore was destroyed by the unsightly creature. Rather than overreact to the situation, though, Ayami began to think of how to handle the situation in front of her. It was within expectations, though; by this point, she had already begun to formulate plans to deal with the situation at hand. Of course, what she drew next turn would affect that, but until then...

"...Continue. I have no response for the moment," she responded curtly, shaking her head. "You're not done yet, are you?"

Ayami's comment was one part needless provocation and one part half-hearted curiosity; if this was all that occurred this turn, things would be kind of... Lackluster.

Konstantinovich basked in the moment and allowed room for a dramatic pause. He merely stared at the damned prisoner he commanded as he entered the second part of the main phase.

"Il Blud is a rather peculiar damned servant. For he must methodically think over his duties twice before he can go about his task. So I shall 'Summon' him so that he may gain proper clearance to fulfill new commands."

And so the Gemini was summoned onto the field which opened up access to his effects. To illustrate this change, Il Blud reached towards the zipper and opened his uniform to reveal a wicked looking face that was his torso. The eyes darted as the mouth opened up showing off a rotten tongue. Fyodor had some manner of expression as he looked at the stage he had set with Zombie World and Pyramid of the Sun.

"With that, so ends this scene."

"...So you were done..."

Ayami was a tad disappointed as her opponent ended their turn, but she shook off the premonition of something bad happening in the near future and instead simply drew a card. It wasn't exactly what she had been expecting, but upon thinking for a small while longer, she realized that it could work to her advantage well enough. She'd be lacking a bit of protection, but compared to the alternatives she couldn't really complain.

"I activate the Spell Card Twin Twisters," Ayami said, sending a copy of Ghost Ogre and Snow Rabbit to the Graveyard in order to activate it. "The targets are Zombie World and Temple of the Sun."

In an instant, a pair of whirling tornadoes flew out of her Duel Disk, one slamming into the temple behind her opponent's Monster and one into the ground itself. The two were destroyed in the chaos, to which Ayami breathed a light sigh of relief. Two less problems to deal with now.

"Now, I activate another copy of Preparation of Rites, this time adding Nekroz of Brionac to my hand. By the second effect of the card, I also add Nekroz Kaleidoscope from my Graveyard to my hand. Then, I activate Nekroz of Brionac's effect; by discarding this card, I can add one Nekroz monster to my hand--that will be Shurit, Strategist of the Nekroz."

Everything seemed to be going along well enough, so Ayami continued the rest of the plan she had in mind.

"Next, I shall activate Nekroz Cycle and tribute Shurit for the summon of Nekroz of Trishula. Because of Shurit's effect, I only need him to summon this swordsman."

From a shining blue beam of light, the warrior clad in draconic armor stepped forward, his eyes steely and full of resolve as he pointed his blade at Ayami's opponent.

"By Trishula's effect, I can banish one card from your hand, field, and Graveyard on summon. Targets are Zombie World, Il Blud, and... That card of yours there," she said, pointing to a random one in the rider's hand. "Then, by Shurit's effect, I shall add a second Nekroz of Brionac to my hand."

"Yes, this is about right. Time to push an offensive."

"Battle Phase. Trishula, attack directly."

Assuming nothing else occurred, her turn would end there. All that was left now was to see if a turnabout would occur...

Rumi woke up rather early. You could even say she woke up before the alarm went off to start her morning. As she normally would at home, she took the bread she made the night before and prepared her own breakfast despite knowing there was a cafeteria here. She personally enjoyed homemade food anyways, and she shortly followed a simple routine of listening to the introduction of the dorm leader and her teacher. Rumi took a peek at the cafeteria and found out that the chef there was a robot. She left as soon as she found this out, and while attending the opening ceremony she never would have figured that the year would start out like this. She started to go off, looking for the people she met the day before to see what they were doing. At the same time, she looked out for people that might challenge her to a duel.

Rumi quickly spotted Matt who seemed to be watching a duel himself and run towards him to make other people think she was going to challenge him and tried to jump him but before she could she instantly tripped over her own feet right behind him "Ma-" Rumi almost called out his name before landing behind him on the floor with an audible thud sound

A garbage can rustles a bit. Umi peaks her head out and looks around before crouching back inside.

"If I stay here, I can hopefully avoid all of the tryhards and their decks that their parents bought them."

She munches on a couple of muffins that she swiped from that bakery chick when she wasn't looking.

The Ghoulish Rider - Traveler of the Highway of Hell stared from behind his mask at the multitude of moves taking place. There was surely some expression under his helmet, but that was just between him and the Devil. Konstantinovich made a few mental notes as he watched the scene unfold.

Fyodor had witnessed the theatrical set of the damned which he had taken care to assemble be destroyed like the Petrovka Theatre long before it. Alongside that, merely moments after Il Blud was pardoned to perform his role, he was exiled to a fate worse than death alongside the scenery of Zombie World and one of the two cards that made his hand.

The Ghoulish Rider - Traveler of the Highway of Hell had an expression under his helmet at which of the two were banished. But that expression would be known only by the Devil and himself. Still squatting, Fyodor gestured towards his torso as Nekroz Trishula pointed at him. The blade struck true as Fyodor tumbled around on the ground as he was reduced to 4700 Life Points.

"Oh Almighty Odious One..." The Ghoulish Rider - Traveler of the Highway of Hell grumbled out as he began to push himself back up.

"You who radiated brightest and earliest among the stars. Infernal Patron of my grimoire. Allow me to continue this particular quest. Then I shall strike at other forces of good that you detest."

Now that Fyodor was back up in his squatting position he drew his next card. Upon seeing what his next card was, Konstantinovich entered into a new soliloquy.

"You, you think you know rituals?! HA! Gwahahahah! Ahaha gwahah! Oh foolish and pitiful girl you don't know the first thing about them! You believe rituals are just mere pieces in games of cards. It sickens me to see one who actually thinks that way. Your lack of faith disturbs me, especially when you wish to play with things that require faith. Rituals are matters of religious significance! They are time-honored practices to demonstrate belief! And you, oooooh, you don't believe!You simply feign the motions in an attempt to seem like you care about your 'so-called Rituals!' Hmph."

The Ghoulish Rider - Traveler of the Highway of Hell activated the card he had drawn into.

"I activate Pre-Preparation of Rites. Now I can add a ritual card and the monster whose name was enshrined upon it." Two cards shot out from his deck as Fyodor solemnly grabbed them.

"Now I shall use Revival of Dokurorider." The Ghoulish Rider -Traveler of the Highway of Hell discarded his tribute from his hand as engines were roaring. From a cloud of grey smoke shot out Dokurorider riding off a wicked ramp. He landed down and turned his motorcycle sideways and peered towards Konstantinovich.

"I activate the ability of the ritual's tribute, Dokurorider's Mechanic! As he was the sacrifice for the great Dokurorider it allows him to be special summoned onto the field as a Level Two monster." There was a loud ratting from under the frame of Dokurorider's motorcycle as the bones of the skeletal mechanic fell out alongside his tools. Taking a moment to screw back on his head, Dokurorider's Mechanic seemed a bit dazed from the process.

The Ghoulish Rider - Traveler of the Highway of Hell kneeled upon his right knee as he utilized them for a Synchro Summon.

The Mechanic of Dokurorider began quickly utilizing his tools on Dokurorider's motorcycle. They both began glowing as far in the distance emerged a blood red star in the sky. Orange pentagrams surrounded the new light radiating from the pair. Up above the red star came crashing down into the light creating a burst of energy as a new hellish engine of the Solar Legacy ran.

Fyodor emerged from his kneeling and extended his hands out wide. "Witness Dokurorider Heisei - Absolute Sovereign of the Damned!"

Konstantinovich returned back to squatting as he pointed at Trishula. Dokurorider Heisei - Absolute Sovereign of the Damned rode up to the knight and performed a donut to destroy the knight with the back tire. It was all Fyodor had, well and could, to do for now.

@Scarifar

Gabriel, as Carnel approached, slapped Carnel's hand away. "No." he rejected, standing up. He took off his duel disk and got into a more aggressive posture, puffing his chest out. "You don't get to use a strategy like yours that denies your opponent any capability of playing then get up and shake their hand like nothing happened." he snorted, before running off in defeat.

@Doc Doctor@dragonmancer

"I'll become physically dangerous to make them too afraid to duel me! Then I'll challenge the last survivor! FOOLPROOF."

Falling out of a tree between Fuubi and Drake was another student, and next to him, a cheap acoustic guitar followed by a bunch of leaves which covered him. The student got up. "I uh... I meant to do- NO!" he ran over to his guitar. This new person was blonde, had green eyes, and pale skin covered in freckles wearing a Pink Floyd T-shirt. "I uh... Sup!...Eh?" he scratched his chin, perplexed, staring between the two other males.

"And you, my crazed opponent, have about as much sanity as a regular in an asylum," Ayami thought to herself as her opponent went on a bit of a tirade. The word 'ritual' had many meanings, regardless of the primarily religious undertones, and so the young woman simply stared in silence as the field slowly got more chaotic.

While she had expected a Ritual Summon given how he had been spouting off before, she did not expect the Synchro Summon soon thereafter. This was the first Tuner played this game, after all...

"A hit and run--kind of crude, don't you think?" she quipped as she drew the card from the top of her Deck.

This... She could work with this. The card was practically begging to be played now, and she had no intention of stopping it.

"My turn. Because I control no Monsters, I activate the effect of Nekroz Cycle; by banishing it and one Nekroz Monster--in this case, Nekroz of Unicore--I can add one Nekroz Spell to my hand. That will be Nekroz Mirror. Next, I activate Brionac's effect and discard it to add Nekroz of Valkyrus to my hand," she began to say, slowly moving the cards around before staring straight at the biker's helmet.

"Logic and faith are simply two sides of the same coin--to explain what cannot be explained, see what cannot be seen, hear what cannot be heard. I believe in no gods, only men--these people who have harnessed that strength to become their own. Let us see which is the strongest."

With that said, Ayami activated Nekroz Mirror, a small smirk faintly passing over her face as she continued on.

"I activate Nekroz Mirror and banish Shurit from the Graveyard to summon Nekroz of Valkyrus, then Normal Summon Hira, Light of the Nekroz. Her ability is to increase the attack of all Nekroz monsters on the field by 200," she said, playing the cards on the field and watching them step forth onto the ground. The latter seemed to be a young girl, slightly younger than Shurit, with white and red hair that reached down to her shoulders. In her hands, she held a staff with the Nekroz symbol emblazoned on it, certifying her heritage to any viewer.

"Battle Phase. Valkyrus, attack Heisei," Ayami declared, pointing forward as the old sorcerer pointed his staff likewise at the monster in front of itself. Hira, off to the side, pointed hers to Valkyrus as if giving him her energy. It took a moment, but soon a large barrage of magical bolts emerged from both, the former's piercing through the Dokurorider's body and bike and the latter's small few following alongside them.

"Main Phase 2. I activate Nekroz of Valkyrus' effect and tribute Hira to draw one card and end my turn."

Carnel stepped back after his hand had been slapped away, but made no further response while Gabriel ran off. Carnel simply stared at him for a bit, then muttered, "Whatever," before walking away himself. As he did so, a sound caught his attention, and he turned his head to see what it was. A girl had fallen down, and it appeared to be quite painful, if the sound was anything to judge by. Going over to her, Carnel bent down and extended a hand, asking politely, "Are you alright there? That sounded quite painful."

"Ow, Ow, My head hurts..." Rumi responded to someone who showed up and looked up at someone offering help and slowly got up "Turns out I'm not very good at surprising people without falling over" Rumi joked and remembered what she was supposed to be doing "How are you doing so far?" Rumi asked then followed up with how she how she has been doing so far as well "I haven't dueled anyone yet and nobody really challenged me yet" Rumi quickly checked her disk to see if it was damaged at all during the fall then looked back at the person she was talking to and snapped her little fingers "I got it! Why don't we duel?" Rumi said technically challenging him to a duel

The Ghoulish Rider - Traveler of the Highway of Hell said nothing as the girl tried to defend her heinous irreverence to any religion and tried to speak of how man was above the Gods. He most certainly had an expression under his helmet; but that of course was just between him and the Devil. Nor did The Ghoulish Rider - Traveler of the Highway of Hell remark about anything as he took the 100 points of damage as the empowered sorcerer barely managed to destroy the bike. As that happened he merely waited for a dramatic pause as Dokurorider Heisei - Absolute Sovereign of the Damned had Dokurorider's Mechanic buffing out a dent. Dokurorider Heisei grabbed the mechanic by the vertebrae and tossed him up into the sky where he vanished in a twinkle to illustrate the fact he was banished to bring back the Absolute Sovereign of the Damned.

...

Another dramatic pause was utilized as Fyodor drew his next card.

"Gwahahaha! Such arrogance! Thinking man is stronger than the Gods, even thinking strength is based around the result from a card game. This, this grievous sin makes it so much easier for wanton destruction and carnage to be spread, EVEN WITHOUT THE PROPER NUDGING OF THE FAITHFUL! FOR MAN WILL DO IT ALL ON HIS OWN JUST TO SATE AN UNFOUNDED PRIDE! Aaah man's hubris never ceases to amaze me. Man thinks their empire will never fall or that their works in culture will always be relevant. IN THE END THOSE PALTRY THINGS NEVER MATTER!"

"I summon Pyramid Turtle." Fyodor said as he placed down the lethargic ancient onto the field in attack mode. He pointed towards Valkyrus. "Dokurorider Heisei - Absolute Sovereign of the Damned. Kill it." And so did Dokurorider Heisei ride forth as he popped a wheelie on the sorcerer to destroy it.

So that would leave a nice empty field for Pyramid Turtle to strike. Well in an ideal world.

"Gwahahah! Ahaha! Now watch in astoundment and fear as the racing spirit of Pyramid Turtle crus-" declared Konstantinovich as Pyramid Turtle lazily stared at a sorcerer that was still on the field.

There had to be an expression on Konstantinovich's face under that helmet, but it was between him and the Devil.

"Your fear is palpable. I feel it oozing at me. Cowering won't get you anywhere! Pyramid Turtle's racing spirit cannot be stopped! You may bide your time while you can, but you will feel the great pain wrought down upon you by the Pyramid!!"

@dragonmancer

"Hey, do you mind if I sit here?" She said. "There's somebody in the courtyard I wanna avoid if I can."

Aya didn't bother waiting for an answer, but put her back against the wall and let all the feeling go out of her legs. Not the most gracious of descents, but it left her sitting cross-legged, with her back against the wall. Right next to the quiet white-haired boy who'd been conscientiously avoiding everyone else. Every single corner of every single building seemed to be occupied with someone, desperately trying to ignore everyone else. Aya vaguely wondered if that didn't break some rule of architecture, about not building a house with more corners then people in them. That and the strategy didn't seem to be working, anyway. The only person Aya could see who wasn't getting any play was the Soul absorption player she'd lost to, who was walking around the middle of their little patio, trying to get people's attention as they took one look at her 20500 life points and mysteriously got remarkably interested in the sky, or their own shoes.

"So" She began, turning to the white-haired youth next to her. "What's your deal?"

Oh interesting, it seemed they were both using ritual monsters. The duel began progressing quite heatedly, so much so that Matt didn't hear his name called. Upon hearing hearing some more conversation and a dramatic proclamation though Matt turned around to see Rumi, being helped up by a boy from the bus. She returned his kindness by challenging him to a duel. All's fair in love and war after all, Matt thought with a smile. "Good luck Rumi!" he cheered before turning around again. The duel in front of him was kicking up even more, duelists arguing back and forth with each other as the field changed. What fun!

@KOgaming@The book of bad juju

Drake watched as a stranger fell from a nearby tree, as if his whole plan was to ambush both himself and the stranger that had been next to him. Of course the maneuver failed as he clumsily recovered from his fall. Raising an eyebrow, Drake responded. "Hmph, I don't know what your plan was about hiding in a tree, but it seems moronic." He would cross his arms. Then came another stranger, a student who wished to sit herself near him. Apparently she was trying to avoid someone. Drake would roll his ways. "I don't really care, so go ahead." Even though she had already decided to sit next to him. Then she asked him a question.

Sighing, Chris responded. "Just waiting for the crowd to fickle out of the weak and reckless before I bring out my deck to the courtyard. Wasting my deck on weak opponents and fools isn't that ideal for me." He answered simply, with a cold expression. The face alone and the fact that he wasn't even looking towards her direction made it clear he wasn't savvy on making friends.

Ayami stared quietly at the biker, a copy of Nekroz of Gungnir shining in the light as she let him see it (if he even did) for a few moments before sending it to the Graveyard. The 100 Life Point hit was not making things any easier for her, but given how she literally only had the Kaleidoscope that she had pulled earlier, Valkyrus barely warding off death didn't make the situation any better.

Drawing a card from her Deck, Ayami glanced at Valkyrus once before going silent and nodding.

"I activate Nekroz of Valkyrus' effect and tribute Great Sorcerer of the Nekroz from my hand to draw one card. By Sorcerer's effect, I can add one Nekroz Spellcaster Monster to my hand--I add a second copy of Valkyrus," she said, drawing another card off the top of her deck while adding the monster to her hand. She glanced at the cards now present and, with a sigh, set two cards face down in her backfield, wary of any removal he could possibly draw into.

With a sidelong glance towards Matt, Ayami sighed and looked at the board her enemy had ready before nodding her head. If she broke Pyramid Turtle, who knew what sort of monster he would pull out in turn?

"...I skip my Battle Phase. Turn end."

There came a quiet rustling noise from Umi's right side. A guy popped out of the recycling bin adjacent to Umi's trash bin. Lanky, gloomy-looking, with eyes like a dead fish. He wore a hood that covered his mouth, and he gave off the air of someone you could see because he wanted you to see him. He turned his head, locking eyes with his ally in garbage-diving.

"...You know, as far as concealment techniques go, the burnable trash is a pretty bad choice...", he croaked. His voice was nasal, and his speech was slow.

"See, me, I like paper. No smell, no sharp objects. You can trust the paper bin. Not only that... it's actually pretty cozy in the winter."

He held out a hand.

"Anyway... Nice to meet a fellow trash enthusiast. You know, I know this is a little sudden... But how about you and me play cards?"

@SillyPhilly

Umi blinked a few times at the strange person.

"Um...."

She hesitated a bit before taking his hand.

"I'm not an enthusiast I'm just bidding my time."

Weird cloak wearing person. Looks like all types come here.

I can probably lay on the honey...

"And even if I wasn't I don't think I would be able to beat such a strong looking person like you! I'm such a poor girl, I only have normal monsters in my deck. You probably have a lot of powerful and rare cards in your deck, you'd sweep me in a second." Umi says all this with a pathetic, pouty face.

"If you insist then I accept, but could I marvel at your cards first? It'd only be fair to me."

@Menhir

Matt replaced his drawn cards into his deck and stood up, the card automatically being shuffled by his duel disk. He extended his arm and an additional segment for playing cards unfolded and began glowing a vibrant neon green. "Well that's enough waiting around, I think I'll take step in on Ayami's side." Matt said confidently and stylishly drew his entire hand with a single movement. His eyes scanned his cards briefly and he smiled. "Delightful. I'll normal summon Sasuke Samurai #4." A small determined looking solider appeared, wielding a spear bravely. "Then I'll play the spell card Second Coin Toss. With that I enter the battle phase, Sasuke Samurai, attack brickdude's biker." The little soldier charged forward valiantly, his spear posed to thrust and he froze. "Now his effect activates." Matt placed his hand as though he were about to flip a coin and his duel disk generated one to appear there. He flicked his thumb and the coin flew into the air. "If I call it right, then your monster gets destroyed, and I'll call... Heads!" The coin fell through the air and landed on the ground, rattling for a moment before revealing Matt had called it correctly by increasing in size to be clearly visible to any viewers. Sasuke Samurai resumed his heroic effort, likely sending the biker to the graveyard. Given that was all that occurred would simply set one card in his spell and trap card zone before saying, "Unlucky you, perhaps that'll change with your next turn."

"HAH! I knew you were afraid of the Power of the Pyramid! IT IS AS THE DEVIL SAID!" triumphantly declared at the girl. "Or perhaps you don't wish to cross paths against the Absolute Sovereign of the Damned! EITHER WAY YOU SHALL PERI- Fyodor was monologuing as he made his draw. But just as soon the Ghoulish Rider - Traveler of the Highway of Hell drew his card, someone took the opportunity to intrude as the Gauntlet allowed for.

The Ghoulish Rider - Traveler of the Highway of Hell slowly turned his helmet to face the hatted man who, strangely did not have any bruises or dings on his head. Fyodor swore that was one of the targets he threw one of his many bricks at. Perhaps it was some different preppy? After awhile the mundane non-devil worshippers tended blend in together.

Well at least that one provided a useful note about the name of that other target. Fyodor made a mental note to remember the name Ayami for future brick throwing or other mayhem causing destruction. Behind the helmet did the Ghoulish Rider - Traveler of the Highway of Hell watch as a pitiful bobble-headed swordsman charged against the Absolute Sovereign of the Damned. And that's when Konstantinovich noticed that its ability came into play.

There was certainly an expression under his helmet upon seeing Dokurorider Heisei - Absolute Sovereign of the Damned get sent to the graveyard. Of course, as was typical it was not a long visit as Dokurorider Heisei arose out with Dokurorider. Heisei hugged the classic, as Fyodor banished Dokurorider.

"Where is my brick?" Fyodor demanded as he looked at the card he drew. A monster was set onto the field face down in defense mode. In his squatting position he glanced at Matt.

"No. Seriously. Where is my brick? You're not dead, so clearly you would've read it. It was supposed to be returned back to the address. I listed it there for a reason." He nodded towards his Pyramid Turtle.

"Now Pyramid Turtle attack..."

A dramatic pause was utilized. He solemnly nodded at Pyramid Turtle as he slowly craned his head towards Nekroz of Valkyrus. "...the Sorcerer. The Infernal One demands me to make this command of you Pyramid Turtle! GO FORTH WITH YOUR SLOW AND STEADY SURGE!"

Fyodor raised both of his arms skywards as he awaited the 1700 LP drop that was sure to come from Pyramid Turtle's suicidal mission to battle against Nekroz of Valkyrus. Now he just needed to see how this played about before going on with the rest of his Battle Phase.

The Pyramid Turtle's signature pyramid-shaped turtle shell cracked as the monster faded away from the aftermath of the attack and entered the Graveyard. The Ghoulish Rider - Traveler of the Highway of Hell began to wax poetics as he deliberately held out his right hand to hold an imaginary object.

"Alas, poor Pyramid Turtle! I knew him. A fellow of infinite mirth and of most infinite fancy..."

Konstantinovich utilized a dramatic pause.

"This is not time for mourning, as Pyramid Turtle shall live on through his special ability and the monster he brought forth."

Another dramatic pause was utilized as from the shattered remains of the Pyramid emerged another Pyramid Turtle.

"Now Pyramid Turtle, you carry on the legacy of an esteemed servant of the damned! GO FORTH AND SHOW YOUR RACING SPIRIT! ATTACK THE SAMURAI!"

Now this Pyramid Turtle went to go destroy Sasuke Samurai 4. And again, he just needed to wait and see how it would play before moving once again with his Battle Phase.

There was certainly an expression underneath the helmet as The Ghoulish Rider - Traveler of the Highway of Hell watched as the coin was flipped, once then re-done because of that little spell card and the result of it caused Pyramid Turtle to be destroyed but without activating his special ability and taking that Samurai down with it, but that was just between him and the Devil

Still squatting, Fyodor pointed at the two of them. "I know the two of you are terrified of the great fury of the Pyramid Turtle's racing spirit... He waggled his finger, "But despite the current absence, the power of the pyramid will haunt your dreams from henceforth."

He then simply pointed at Nekroz of Valkyrus, as Dokurorider Heisei - Absolute Sovereign of the Damned revved up his engines to perform a wheelie to destroy the sorcerer.

Another dramatic pause was used by Fyodor Leo Konstantinovich as he saw the face down card, revealed to be Storming Mirror Force, flip up. Dokurorider Heisei - Absolute Sovereign of the Damned turned his head back towards the Ghoulish Rider - Traveler of the Highway of Hell as he popped off the field and into his hand.

"Oh the nightmares you two will have. It won't be a good night sleep for the two of you; but I'm going to get a rather strong sleep based on you two boring me to sleep." Fyodor raised his arms upwards as he began yawning, he flicked his left index and middle fingers at the both of theme to demonstrate that he was finished with his turn.

Bidding on time? Was this lady trying to say she was some kind of garbage pro? Was this some kind of high-profile trashcan he was unaware of? The gloomy boy shook the filthmaven's hand absentmindedly, finding it unpleasantly sticky. Probably from a juice carton or something.

"Eh?", the boy said, sounding genuinely surprised. He opened a moist towelette and cleaned off his hand-shaking hand as he spoke.

"Whoa, let's slow down a little, lady... We're trash buddies, don't get me wrong, but I'm not gonna let you touch my deck with your nasty garbage hands. I don't know where those things have been. I, uh... Maybe later, after you take a shower or seven."

An awkward pause settled over the two. Cicadas chirped in the distance. The boy coughed quietly.

"So, er... Rock-Paper-Scissors, then?"

Being a great lover of paper and the paper recycling bin, the boy, of course, threw rock.