Following that other one... [video]

[runs_on_batteries]

If there are any kids- both big and small- who don't want to be alone right now, I'm making hot chocolate and blanket forts in the dining room.

Also, bring a blanket.

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[runs_on_batteries]

[Tony watched the display with interest. The dragon was quite intriguing but he did look around the crowd of faces to make sure no one was particularly frightened by this. So far, so good.

After a while, he approached Kaiba.]

How does that card work?

[blue_ice]

It's a hologram, it won't really harm anyone. But it's my calling card, so to speak, and it signals to the spirit that I'm here. As I said, I encountered Wester before all this---and again immediately after---and I'm certain I can talk to them without being at risk.

[ Normally this is the point where he'd go off on a spiel about all the work he'd put into his inventions, but this is so not the time. ]

I'm sorry. They're a ghost---they slipped through my fingers. But it was clear to me that they regret this. Yugi and I are going to try reaching out again soon.

[runs_on_batteries]

[He was amused at the hologram and enjoyed looking at it for a long moment. Unfortunately they had to talk about something more serious and Kaiba's words had his eyes narrowing. He folds his arms across his chest and thinks for a moment before speaking.]

You don't seem the type to stop searching until you've found what you're looking for.

[blue_ice]

[ He seems to flinch a little. ]

I have to rethink my strategy. I don't have any ability to track spirit energy, all I have are my eyes and my voice, to try to call out to them wherever they might be hiding.

I'll head back out, I just...wanted to make sure the kids were taken care of.

[runs_on_batteries]

[Tony held up a hand.]

Wait, I didn't mean it like that. The way you said it made me think you might actually have found them and just didn't want to say so. I apologize. You deserve a break with the kids as much as the rest of us.

[blue_ice]

...they did come find me, shortly after the broadcast. After I finished sharing what I knew with everyone, they were there waiting for me. And they looked upset, regretful. Yugi may be right that there's possession going on.

[ He looks up. ]

I tried to keep them calm to bring them in. I wouldn't hide them from the council, just look at the damage that was done...friend or not, they need to own up. And I think even they would agree.

But while I was trying to talk them down, I said something to upset them...apparently I was deluded, too kind when they didn't deserve it...and they evaporated. Literally vanished in front of me. I've been doing sweeps for traces of them, but nothing's turned up yet.

[runs_on_batteries]

See, this kind of answer makes me believe there's no reason you should be left out of any council discussion regarding this issue. You did what you could. It's not your fault they ran on you.

[He gestured for Kaiba to move a little further away from everyone else.]

I heard their name was Wester, but that's not a name on our roster.