Again. It was bad enough once. Then twice. Him even coming over was bad. But now... Seto cursed to himself as he knocked on Siegfried's door. Three times. Three times now he had come to this door. And it was beginning to concern him. ...Or at the very least, annoy him.
Otogi had moved in not long ago, and while he would have liked to make Siegfried come over for a game of chess, Seto just needed to get away. So now, a game of chess at HIS place. And as of late, he wasn't sure just what to think of Siegfried. More than usual, that is.

Siegfried twitched. It was him again, no doubt. Who else would it be? ...wait. He didn't want to think about it. It could be so many other people. He half-wanted it to be so many other people. And then again, he half-thought it would've been much more painful to entertain someone with an IQ only half of his.
Well. Any way he went about it, he'd have to be outwardsly courteous, at least somewhat pleasant, and subtly nasty. Which was no problem.
Perhaps I should get the embodiment of everything I am not to open the door...just to scare him. ...no, that would lead to questions about their nonexistant relationship and he didn't want anyone else thinking he had a gooey marshmallow core. Which he didn't, of course.
Siiiiigh. The pain, the pain. He stood up, heading down the stairs to the door. I have to answer it. I AM home. I'm normally home.
Siegfried, feeling slightly irritated at the intrusion upon his doing nothing, opened the door.
"Hello, Herr Kaiba."

"Good afternoon, Zig Siegfried," he greated casually, not asking to come in this time and merely doing so, as there really was no forseeable reason for Siegfried to turn him down.
"Not interrupting anything, am I? Oh, doubtful, I know, but..." And he left it at that. "Feel like a game of chess?"

Siegfried rolled his eyes. "Yes, I always feel like a game of chess. I know I have no other life. ...except that other one. No, nothing's going on now," he said rather bitterly. "Why do you ask, Herr Kaiba? ...no, better yet, why are you here? I thought I was the one who was desperate and wanted to come over and play, not you..."

Seto shrugged, smirk on his face. "You don't want to come over. Really. Not with Otogi around." He shrugged off his jacket and headed to their usual place of conversation at the couch. "I wish Mokuba could've at least have warned me instead of me finding out in shock the next day. I needed out of that place. You don't mind too much, do you?"

"Of course not." Siegfried managed to bite back a scathing reply. "Though I can't help thinking it's your fault for allowing your brother to do what he does. Have you tried locking him in his room and getting him extensive therapy? Or perhaps brainwashing? I really can't see how you can stand it." If it were MY brother...well... He winced at the thought, then opted to lock Leon in a closet for the rest of his childhood just not think about it. "I DO find it strange that you'd come HERE, though..." he murmured.

"Can't seem to do anything with the kid..." He sighed, shaking his head almost sadly. "Used to be able to tell him what to do and what not to do all the time, but...eh...maybe I just went wrong somewhere." Seto cocked his head to one side, raising a questioning eyebrow. "Why's it so strange? If I want to play chess with you, and I don't want to be home, why not come here?"

"I'm still not entirely used to see the person I hate most come through the door; you must forgive me, Herr Kaiba~" He shrugged, a fake apologetic look on his face. "I'd just think you ought to be looking for hotels. It's my humble opinion that if you are incapable of -- what is that expression? Ah, yes -- laying down the law now, you never will be..." Siegfried grinned. "Why would you want to be in the house when he has one of his little friends around, anyways? And then what if he wants to spend the night? ...but then, it's none of my business. If you want to play chess, then we can play chess. THAT is my business."

"Hn...I just can't control him anymore. Of course, Otogi's not going to listen to me when I tell him to leave. Good god, have I suddenly become hated and invisible around here? Honestly..." Seto sat himself on the couch, leaning back and closing his eyes for a moment. "I won't be thrown out of my own home because of that, however. I've had enough people take up residence there before, even if it was only for a short amount of time. Anyway..." He opened his eyes again and glanced in Siegfried's direction. "Chess would be nice to take my mind off a few things, at least."

"I still think you ought to stay away from your house from the time being..." he said pointedly. "But as I said, it is none of my business, so we'll leave it. I'll just get the chess board, then?" He sauntered over to wherever-the-hell-he-keeps-his-chessboard, and came back a few moments later carrying it. "In the spirit of being a good host..." Siegfried rolled his eyes, evidently not keen on being a good host and not quite certain why he even bothered with it. "Do you want some coffee?"

A smirk played across his face at this blatant hatred of being anywhere near 'nice'. This was probably going to be fun. "Actually, yes, I think some coffee would be wonderful. How kind of you to offer... I think you know I take mine black."

Siegfried's eyes narrowed. He had hoped rather hoped his enemy would not take him up on his offer. "Certainly. I'll just...get someone to take care of that. Excuse me." He strode irritably in the direction of the kitchen, then came back a few moments later. "It should be done in a few minutes," he said icily. "If you don't mind waiting..."

His smirk only grew. Sure, if he didn't want Siegfried to hate him--did he?--then this wasn't the right way of going about it, but... "Oh, no, I won't mind at all." Seto turned his attention back to the chess board. "Want to be black again? Or switch things up a bit and be white?"

"To tell the truth, I honestly don't care," he said coldly, "But if you were to demand that I choose, I would prefer to play white this time." Siegfried folded his arms, giving his nemesis the Glare of Total Loathing (TM). "Do you have a preference?"

"Not really." Boy, had he pissed off Sieg-buddeh this time. ...Perfect. That was rather what he was going for. He began setting up pieces, quietly humming some unrecognizable-to-most tune and already in a good mood. Which was quite different from earlier, with all the muttering and grumbling about coming here in the first place. "Well, go ahead and make your move."

Siegfried made his opening move and folded his arms again, practically exhuding an aura of irritation. ...no, no, this was wrong. He was going about it the wrong way. Why was he irritated, anyways? It was pointless. Here he had a chance to take on and defeat his enemy, and being angry would impede his thoughts. His expression slowly became a smirk. This could be his chance, and he was definitely not going to waste it.

Seto noted the sudden change in expressions but said nothing, setting his own first piece down with a small 'clink'. What could be going on in that, in Siegfried's own words, fucked-up head of his? With that kind of smirk, he wasn't sure he wanted to know. Whatever the case, when his coffee came, he was going to try and make sure it wasn't poisoned.

Siegfried picked up one of his pieces, examining the board, then moved it to the square of his choice.
It was at this moment that poor, pitiful OOC!Sieg chose to enter the room, carrying a tray with two cups of coffee on it. He eyed the guest rather curiously, but said nothing, standing in the doorway, either thinking very hard or totally spaced out.
"Are you going to bring the coffee to us, or am I going to have to go over there and take that tray from you?" the version playing chess said only just loud enough to be heard, eyeing himself with a look of disdain. OOC!Sieg snapped back to earth, looking rather embarrassed, and shuffled closer with the tray, offering the two their respective drinks.

Hn, you'd think he'd treat himself better... Wait, what the hell is HE doing here?
Seto took his drink, nodding and giving a "thanks". Ah, coffee, what would he ever do without it? He would've asked what both the Siegfrieds were doing here, but thought better and decided not to. Whilst sipping his drink, he examined the board for a moment before making his move, leaning back a bit and crossing his legs. "Mmm, just the way I like it."
And hopefully not poisoned. ...Eep.

"Glad to hear it." Siegfried made his move, then turned to his OOC!self, who was currently shaking slightly out of fear of both of the people in front of him. "You can leave," he said firmly. "Now."
OOC!Sieg nodded, gave a quick bow, and dashed out of the room as fast as he could, nearly dropping the tray.
"Idiot," the IC hissed under his breath. He turned back to the board. "Please excuse that...thing," he said tonelessly, "He is always that way. I'm rather surprised he didn't let the coffee grow cold again..."

"I don't think you should really be that hard on him," Seto replied with a slight tilt of his head. "I mean, sure, he's not really like you at all besides in looks, but I doubt he's that bad of a guy."
Anyone that enthusiastic about video games can't be ALL bad.
"If you hate him so much, why have him around, anyway? Like another servant around, do you?" Another move was made.

"I have a sense of mercy, finite though it might be, and the thing asked if it could 'help out around the house'. I am not one to grudge people asking to serve me, so I chose to give him a chance. It was a blunder I will not soon repeat." Siegfried shook his head, a pained expression briefly crossing over his face. "Every attempt to get a halfway-decent conversation out of him was rendered useless. He only talks about the same childish things all the time, with an enthusiasm crossing over into obsession. At least he is afraid of me." He moved a piece, smirking. "He has been quiet since I requested it of him."

A roll of his eyes. "Gee, I never would've expected something like that from you," he tisked with a sarcastic tone in his voice. "Must you be like that to him? You could treat yourself with a little more respect, perhaps..." He took a long sip of coffee, looking at the pieces. "Is he really so below your standards?" He positioned a piece to a new square.

"Let me think about that," Siegfried said drily. "Yes." He lifted his coffee and took a drink, eyeing his opponent over the rim of the cup. "But I don't see why it matters. He's an idiot, and I am treating him like one. Don't you think that it's the appropriate way to treat someone like him?" He raised an eyebrow as he put down his drink. "Wouldn't think you were the type to care about such a person, especially seeing as he is, for all intents and purposes, an extension of myself, even if he is totally different. It's like feeling bad for someone treating me in a way I deserve...well, I don't think you'd have much cause to be upset about people venerating me, unless you were jealous." He thought for a moment, then picked up one of his pieces and set it down on another square.

"Tch, as if... It's not like I really know him, anyway, so I suppose you're the one who knows what he's like."
He sat in a more casual position, tearing his eyes away from the board for a moment. "I normally think of these other selves like seperate people just because they act so differently. I don't really see him as YOU, since, y'know, the whole me never having met this one and his lack of hatred for me. Now, why would I be jealous of people worshipping you? First of all, it'll never happen. Secondly, I'd start fearing for their sanity. Not that they have much to begin with, anyway. Third, hey, maybe it'll be a load off me, you taking some of my rabid fans off my hands."
The next move was made.

"I'm sure it would, though honestly...sometimes I just cannot believe how far these idiots go." He crossed his legs, shrugging. "As the creature really is merely a shadow of me -- and not a very good one at that -- I see no reason to treat it 'well'. It gives me none, I ask for none. And really..." Siegfried's hand lingered over a piece as he thought. "Really, I don't see why you seem to think people shouldn't worship me. There are so many reasons to." He thought for a moment, then moved his hand to another piece and moved that one.

"I'm your rival, Siegfried." He drew from the mug again before setting it aside. "I'm not SUPPOSED to think people should worship you. Because I just don't." He was quick to react with his next move. "Then again, your ego's just as large as mine, so of course you think people should worship the very ground you walk on."

"And I'm sure you do as well. Good point." Siegfried leaned closer to the board. "Hn..." He studied it and after a few more moments moved a piece. "I suppose we don't like each other very much," he said sarcastically.

"Gee, fancy that," muttered Seto. "Wonder why that is." He took a few moments, planning his next few moves in his head, before moving a piece.

"It's a wonder of the universe, isn't it?" Siegfried said, with a cough. "How can it be that we do NOT like each other? Must be some freak accident." He crossed his legs, leaning in closer to the board to examine it thoroughly. "Pity, really," he said, as he repositioned one of his pieces.

He quirked an eyebrow slowly. Already he'd had a bit of a discussion about Siegfried and his sarcasm--or sometimes lack thereof. It was, of course, quite likely that his rival was just trying to confuse him...and to be quite honest, it was working. Most likely, it would be useless to make any sort of remark about that, but Seto was going to try anyway.
"More sarcasm, I take it?" He chuckled and made his move after much deliberation on his part. "I suppose, when one thinks about it, it is a bit of a tragedy. Neither of us need any more enemies as it is."

"Sarcasm indeed," Siegfried said, grinning. "Always sarcasm, isn't it? Good guess. I don't know about you, but I say there's always room for an arch-enemy, isn't there? Even if I have thousands of enemies, the worst enemy of them all doesn't have to worry about leaving his position. You will always have a special place in my heart." He shrugged, picking up one of his pieces and holding it up as he attempted to find the best place for it. There. That was it. He placed it down on the proper square.

"..."
Well...THAT was sure...odd...
There was that strange use of sarcasm again. That could all be taken a completely other way, and he was considering actually taking it that way at this point. Could there be substance to rumors and suspicions and opinions of everyone? No, couldn't be. ...Right?
"Flattered, I'm sure." Move. It was just like a tennis match, back and forth. Seto was beginning to feel that he was losing this one.

Siegfried managed to surpress his laughter behind another cough. Oh, he was getting somewhere. He was getting to his opponent, and damned if he didn't want to shout it out to the world. "You should be," he purred. "You should be. I know you don't rank me that highly, which is a pity, but..." He wondered if he should bother with adding anything onto that, then opted not to. This was good enough. He moved his piece lazily, and with silence.

"But...?" he prodded. "No, of course I don't rank you that highly on my list of enemies--truth be told, I've come across some worse fiends. Just because you nearly but didn't ruin a tournament of mine doesn't mean you're any worse than, say, someone who's after my soul." He made another move, pondering, contemplating--was there something Siegfried was saying that he wasn't quite catching on to?

"Pity. Maybe I ought to go after your soul. Or your life; whichever's easiest, you know." Ahahaha. This is working almost TOO well. "Because honestly, being ranked low on my archenemy's list of enemies...hurts a little. Insulting, really." Siegfried shifted in his seat, then reached out and moved one of his pieces. "I suppose I have to work harder at being hateable. Not that..." He sneered. "Not that I am working at all at the moment..."

"I really don't need any more people after my hide, either." Seto moved his next piece quickly this time, knowing exactly where he wanted to go. "Shame that you've got little work to do. I'll probably be flooded with things when I get back to the office. Paperwork to be signed, updates on current projects, propositions to go over...it'll be a nightmare, I'm sure."

"I know," Siegfried murmured. "It IS rather unfortunate. I'll get around to getting SOME work to do eventually...but for now, there is nothing for me but boredom." He rolled his eyes. "One man's nightmare is another man's dream, I suppose. Pity that I can't be the one to have what I want." After a moment's thought, he made his own move.

"You know," Seto began airily, "with our technological skill, our companies working together, we could probably end up making the most astounding things man has ever laid eyes on." He reached out for a piece and stopped, pulling it back a bit. "Think about it--obviously we both had a very similar frame of mind a few years ago. We've similar skills as well. Despite our seething hatred for one another, I think the possibilities could be astounding." He reached for a different piece and moved that one instead.

"...you have a point," Siegfried said, looking at him with a rather unsettled look. "I don't know why you would want to say that, though. You are the dominant company, and have no reason whatsoever to consider such things; as far as I can tell, there would be no real advantage for you." He arched his eyebrow, bemused. "As far as I can tell, at least, there is no reason to want that." What the hell's he playing at now? Does he WANT me to laugh, or what? "...it just seems an unusual thing for you to say, seeing as the possibility of us being willing to really work together and not oppose each other seems rather unlikely." Siegfried slowly made his own move, mind buzzing with theories as to why this was being discussed anyways. He didn't particularly like any of them.

He shrugged, reaching for the mug of coffee again and taking a sip. Inwardly amused at how he had caught Siegfried off guard--although that had not been his intent--he shook his head. "I'm not sure, really. It was just an idea. Spur of the moment. I'm just saying that I think both of us could use that to our respective advantages if we were, in fact, to create something neither of us had ever dreamed possible." He shrugged again and made his next move. "Of course, it could then always completely fail, any projects of ours going down in flames, and resulting in a loss of hard-built reputations. Like I said, it was just a random thought I had at the moment."

"It was an extremely odd random thought," was the rather sharp response. Reacting is not going to get me anywhere. I had best stick with apathy. Calming down somewhat, he added to his previous statement, "Although if it were to work, it would have to be done in secret to prevent the loss of reputations, wouldn't it? Seems the easiest way to take care of that. If we ever did that, that is, and I remain skeptical as to the possibility that that would ever really work..." Idly, he reached out to make his move. "And I would expect you to agree with me." He ran his tongue over his lips briefly (for no real reason, though he rather hoped it would make his opponent more uncomfortable than he already was) as he stared, eyes narrowed, across the board, attempting to discern any visible reaction.

...Okay, now THAT...was REALLY odd. Definitely no comment on that one.
"Well, I suppose you do have a point there. People might start to think that our companies were going under, having them merge. Well, whatever the case, it was just an idea to throw out there." He pondered the next move, gazing about the board over his cup before placing a piece onto a new square.

"Throw it out if you must, but if you're going to, you might as well think it through first." After a few moments' thought he made his own move. "In the interest of thinking first and foremost, and being impulsive later..." Siegfried's expression grew more serious. "Unless you had some other thought in mind. You weren't seriously considering that, were you?" he said, looking slightly irritated at the thought. "Because as I said before, it seems rather pointless to do that. Well, when I try to think from your point of view, at least. On my end, it makes a bit more sense, though it's still ridiculous."

A shrug was all the response on the subject Siegfried was going to get. Perhaps burying the subject altogether was best. Seto made his next move, looking a tad smug as he did so. "I believe that's check."

"Nice," Siegfried said, rolling his eyes and making whatever move got him out of check. "Very nice. I see you're ever the talkative one." It didn't matter what he said; Siegfried considered himself above that sort of thing and wasn't going to sink to the level suggested that easily. It'd take a lot more to get him to do so. But for now...for now he'd leave the subject alone. He'd wait until a more suitable time to bring it up.

"I don't see a reason to discuss it if it's not going to happen anyway," he said stiffly--quite a different tone than from earlier. He moved, keeping himself from slamming the piece down. Why was he suddenly so irritated?
Damned slimy bastard.

Oh, and why are you speaking that way if it isn't? You're a strange one, aren't you?
Siegfried slid his piece across the board to the square he wanted, smirking again. This was rich. This was...this was entertainment. He surpressed a snicker directed at the reaction he had gotten out of his enemy. And now I get to watch YOU play defence, do I?

Seto narrowed his eyes and refused to look up at his rival. This had gone so wrong. It really had been a random thought that he'd played around with only moments before speaking his mind. He didn't intend it to be taken so seriously--in fact, he was a bit surprised Siegfried hadn't either agreed to it or refused it the moment the words left his lips. Oh, and now this was all making him very happy, wasn't it? Probably a smirk or a sneer on that despicable face now. The tables kept on turning. He moved another piece.

Siegfried made his move and then leaned back, with a smirk of amusement on his face. His facial expressions WERE indeed rather predictable, but if you had told him that, he would've kindly and with no harsh feelings advised you to shut up.
"My, it seems to have gotten rather quiet, doesn't it?" he said, with a small "heh". "Sad, really. These games are always nice when coupled with a friendly conversation..." He didn't really think that, but right now he was more intent on getting another amusing reaction than actually speaking his mind.

"I suppose," was all Seto said. He wasn't going to allow himself to be drawn into this other game--the one taking place outside of the chessboard. No, he'd just let Siegfried start up another one of these oh-so-friendly conversations. Again he moved. If ever there was a doubt as to whether he was losing this other, more delicate, more fun game, well, there wasn't much doubt NOW that he was losing it.

"Aren't you going to help strike up a discussion? Or do you want to talk about me? Because much as I adore the latter subject, you are my guest and have the right to suggest something." Siegfried moved a piece. This was going better than he could have expected. He could hardly believe it, but attempted to maintain a healthy dose of down-to-earth. He'd have to stay careful -- both in the verbal sparring AND in the chess game -- if he wanted to win; otherwise, his opponent would take advantage of a blunder. I refuse to lose either game, he told himself silently, If I win, I am victorious; if there is a draw, I can try again next time...but I will NOT lose.

"I really don't have any ideas for a topic, else I would've already brought it up, Siegfried." He tried to keep the edge out of his voice. Whether it was working or not was a different matter. "Go ahead and pick something." Another move.

"Very well, seeing as it IS my favourite subject...me," Siegfried drawled, his mouth twisted into a rather disconcerting grin. "Do you have something to say about me? I have so many things to compliment myself on...but alas, that would make for a rather one-sided discussion, wouldn't it?" He picked up one of his pieces, examined it, and then placed it on a different square. "And I'd hate to be a bore..."

"Hn. I have quite a long list of things I could say about you. One of those being that you seem to be a bit of a manipulative bastard, wouldn't you say?" He pushed another piece into place.

"Oh, I'm complimented, but I wouldn't go so far," Siegfried said with false modesty, choosing to take the remark as praise. "I just have good people skills, I think. Well, not so much good people skills as being good at getting others to support and aid me...but it's all the same, really." He made his move.

"You know, sometimes your attitude just makes me sick," he spat, not at all liking this new topic of conversation. "Even I was never so bad. I choose to be a bit more understanding toward my fellow human beings unless I despise them. I hardly ever use them...considering I can do most anything well on my own accord and don't need anyone else to get in the way." Seto huffed a little and moved.

Siegfried winced, shaking his head. "Oh, your words pain me, though..." he whispered, before adding in a normal tone, "We all have our different...gifts, and how we use them is up to us. You think my usage of my skill is disgusting; I find it perfectly appropriate. What is wrong with using others to forward your own gains? It sounds 'wrong', of course, but when I desperately want to achieve a goal, I make no false pretenses at morals." He moved a piece.

Seto scoffed. "Sometimes I think you just do it for fun. You see, this is why you don't have any friends. Well, that, and a variety of other reasons, too." He made his move.

"And I need friends...why?" Siegfried said, leaning forwards, lips curling into a sneer. "What use are friends to me? Honestly, it's just ridiculous the way people worship the concept, when I've never seen what makes friends so important." He made his move with an almost-shaking hand, glaring down at the board, and then looking back up at the person across from him. "They seem to me to just be...dead weight."

"Well, I'm not a rabid advocate, of course, but they're useful in some ways," he pondered, going quiet for a few moments as he stared at the board. "I mean, it at least gives you someone to talk to. It'll give you something to do, even. A change of perspective, different opinions--honestly, is it really that much fun being a recluse? Hell, look at me--the one person you'd think would never have friends period, and yet I have some anyway. Surprising, really..." He moved.

"It's got to be better than the alternative. I do not need to be surrounded by idiots now, much less people who use a friendship to torment me constantly. I don't like people, Herr Kaiba. I would think you at least would identify with that opinion." Siegfried shook his head. "If they are not intelligent -- and God, you'd think intelligence were taboo in this day and age -- then I don't want to talk to them. Only when it's necessary will I sink to that..." He repositioned a piece. "And that is too often for my taste."

"Despite what you may think, not EVERYONE out there's an idiot. Most, sure, but not all. Hell, we've at least got people like Seth and Isis around who think with their brains instead of their sexual organs. Depressing, really, but..." And another move. "If there's someone intelligent to converse with now and then, they'll get the hint when to leave you the hell alone or when you feel like spending time with someone--though I'm sure that feeling is quite rare for you. Hn...and what of us, hm? We both know we're practically at the same level here. We have surprisingly stimulating and civil conversations. We can sit down and play a game of chess without making too many snide remarks and without trying to kill each other. What DOES that make us? Wouldn't you think bitter rivals, enemies, would never do such a thing when there are others around who might be better?"

"Your friend Seth doesn't know the rules of the game, I don't know Isis that well -- or if she can play the game, either -- and the rest of the people around here are idiots. You're the only one who can actually put up a challenge. Who else would I play?" Silently Siegfried moved a piece, and then after a few moments' careful consideration, he added: "I don't know what you would call us. And I don't know if there is a good term for it, either. I might point out that what we are doing even now is playing a game of war on a lesser scale, and I think our discussion is rather evidence of our -- I pray -- mutual dislike. It seems to me that we're fighting even now," he said with a grin. "We're just not bothering with insults."

"Hn. I suppose." For some reason, Seto doubted those words very much, but he decided to ignore this feeling for now. "I was merely curious, you see, as I know I wouldn't sit down and play any kind of game with most people I know period, much less a hated enemy. You know, I think your other self might come to appreciate a different kind of game if you taught this to him." He bit his lip for a moment, eyes going from piece to piece before choosing a suitable mood. Sitting up straight again, he finally dared a glance at Siegfried. "I really don't think a little companionship would do you any harm, you know."

Siegfried stared at him, again not blinking. "I think it will," he said quietly. "I think that if they are capable of learning the game, a large majority of the time they are irritating anyways. Discussions are boring, and reveal no more than their own stupidity -- no interesting thoughts they keep under wraps. They're not like discussions with you..." Siegfried said with a laugh, shifting in his seat. "Not at all interesting." He looked at the board, then smirked. "You've certainly played well." He moved a piece, then sat back, smirking. "I applaud you."

Seto blinked at this, thinking about Siegfried doing that odd complimenting again, then glanced at the board. "Huh. I have to say I find this conversations at the very least amusing and intelligent. And you don't play half bad--you at least give me a run for my money, figuratively speaking." He moved, adding a "check" to it.

"Oh, now I am complimented," he said dryly. "I am glad such is the sum of my strategies." He pushed a piece into position. "I can give you a run for your money." Siegfried looked at the board irritably. "Isn't that wonderful." He twitched visibly. ...next time, perhaps? Next time... He resisted the temptation to make a quip about the many services he could provide, in favour of silence. All the better to seethe in, after all...

That seemed to annoy Siegfried to no end. ...Gooood.
"Oh, come now, that's far better than what I could say of most people. You could at least be a little flattered that I didn't say you completely sucked at this game and should give up." Seto idly moved the final piece. "Checkmate. Hm, I must say, this was quite invigorating, really. I'm sure this will lead to you wanting many rematches, hmm...?"

"Many? Many..." Siegfried rolled his eyes. "I'd only need two to have best of three, assuming we do not count the stalemate as a game. If we did I'd only need one to tie. I can't be that bad if you're that good and I was able to reach a stalemate with you." He leaned back, closing his eyes momentarily. "Congratulations on your victory, I suppose I am obligated to say. I also think I am obligated to say that any bragging you do about it will achieve absolutely nothing, and will just inspire me to crush you come next game. So no dancing on the table, and no inquiring as to spoils." He opened his eyes. "Because I might be forced out of sheer irritation to put some of my less law-abiding talents to use."

"Really now, whyever would you want to hurt lil' old me?" Seto mocked with a roll of his eyes. "Hm. Two out of three. That's IF you even beat me two times, which I highly doubt." He downed the rest of his lukewarm coffee and began sticking pieces in their respective places back where they had come from before pausing for a moment. "...Unless, of course, you'd like to have a rematch right here and now."

"Do you is my question." Siegfried leaned forwards again, lips curling into a sneer. "Of course I would be fine with it, but you might have something to do. Like...running your little hotel -- I mean, household, or pretending to do so. Seeing as you apparently have absolutely no control over anything that goes on there regarding your brother, you might want to just sit and watch it all go to hell around you..."

"...Gee, thanks, you really are a big help, Siegfried, yeah." Seto shot a glare over the table before continuing to set pieces back inside the box. "I like to think I have at least a little control over the situation. I'm perfectly capable of grabbing Otogi by the scruff of the neck and throwing his ass back outside, locking all the doors, and sic some guard dogs on him."
He slowed a little. "...Not sure how well I'll be able to do so when I end up spending all of my time at the office or locked away in my room working... I mean, Seth could help, perhaps, but..."

"Oh, but then wouldn't your brother just bring him back? You're just fighting a losing battle, which is so pointless I can hardly stand thinking about it without laughing. No, I think you ought to just ought to forget about pretending you have enough control to have a permanent solution. Might as well move out; it's hardly worth it, living with the people you do." A laugh. "Unless you were willing to actually TRY taking control and kick everyone out, which you never would."

"Move out?" He scoffed, sitting back and crossing his arms tightly over his chest. "Of my own home? Ridiculous. That'd be like Mokuba taking control of things and kicking me out, and I'm not going to allow that. I'M the one around here who's been doing most of the work. I'M the one that got us this far, and I'll be damned if I'm not going to be in the least bit appreciated for it." He uncurled his arms and absent-mindedly played with the hem of his jacket. "I will not be reduced to living at a hotel or with somebody else just because Mokuba has his little fuckbuddy around."

"I'm sure you're in charge," Siegfried responded, smirking. "I'm sure." And I'll leave it at that, I suppose; no need to encourage him to kill me. He folded his arms, eyeing the other with supreme amusement. Did he honestly believe that he was the one controlling things? Probably. He DOES seem to have a bit of a problem with understanding reality.

"Don't give me that," Seto snapped at his rival. "I'm quite aware that Mokuba doesn't ever listen to me and probably never will again. Hn...and I suppose...once having lost control, it's even harder to regain..." His eyes went to the floor for a few long moments before glancing back up again. "Perhaps I should just embrace the chaos if I can't pull the reigns on my household. I mean, really, isn't moving out a tad extreme?"

"Not if it's temporary. If you want your mind to dissolve into irritated insanity, go ahead and embrace it; it'll only make it all the easier for me to get around to defeating you. But if you want to remain sane, you basically have two options: stay away from the house as much as possible, or actually take control. The second seems to be no option for you." Which only makes me laugh at you more. "So I don't know how you plan on handling, but..." Siegfried examined his fingernails idly, then looked back up at his nemesis. "You must forgive me for doubting your being able to live among them with no longterm effects." Well, I doubt I could, at any rate.

"I've survived my brother for thirteen years--as long as this whole Otogi thing isn't permenant, I think I can handle it. Where would you suggest I stay, anyway? I suppose I could always just buy myself a new place if I needed to, a nice getaway..." He shrugged, unsure of what exactly to say or what exactly to do about all of this, anyway.

"I have no idea where you could stay..." Siegfried shifted in his seat. "But you might as well have a last bastion of sanity to save your mind, wouldn't you say? Whether you buy it, rent it, or merely stay with someone with a brain, you'll be better off. You don't have to stay there all the time, but wouldn't it be a good thing to have an alternative if the hell-hole you currently inhabit ever gets to be too annoying? Like a mini-vacation, except for the fact that you'd probably end up working instead of relaxing. I'd suppose you'd want to work, though..."

"I think a vacation sounds absolutely wonderful, but I really shouldn't hold off on getting things done, or else too many errors will be made, making even MORE work for me..."
And I wonder why the hell YOU care so much...
"It's at least an interesting idea I think I'll consider. A little place just to get some peace and quiet...hm..."

"You can do all the work you want wherever you stay, I'm sure," Siegfried said, shrugging. "But that's just a suggestion on my end; wouldn't want your intelligence being drained out of you. It'd make me look like an idiot for ever having lost to you, wouldn't it?" He laughed bitterly. "And I wouldn't want that -- besides, I need you as a good enemy, don't I? And a good enemy has to be sane." Plus I don't need any more motivation to laugh at you, Kaiba~

"Hn. I've been called insane before, and from time to time, I'm tempted to agree with them." He lifted a hand up and rubbed at his eyes. "I think it might be a nightmare...or a blessing in disguise. I could take Seth with me, I suppose, and maybe Noa--but then I'd fear the whole place going to ruin. ...Nah, Mokuba would never allow that." So he was more rambling on to himself. Sorting out the possibilities and taking this odd advice into serious consideration wasn't doing anything good for his head. "Mokuba and Otogi would most likely be glad I left for any amount of time. God, what the hell did I ever do to deserve a brother like him? It's times like these that I blame him...so much..."

"It's a pity you're stuck with him, but I'd say it's also a pity that you haven't been bothering to discipline him...then again, I suppose I have never needed to live with such a brother and therefore wouldn't be able to relate. Anyways, I agree that you ought to take the sane ones with you and just find a decent place." Siegfried looked up at the ceiling... "If you can even find one." ...and then back. "Seems to me that the entire world is going to the dogs. Everyone's motivated by hormones and stupidity. Hope you know someone intelligent and halfway decent who has a somewhat-large house and would be willing to let you stay there. Otherwise you'll be stuck with your irritating brother with no recourse."

"..." That one got his attention. At first, he didn't move at all, just having his face half-burried in his hand. He slowly dropped the hand and gazed back up at Siegfried with a raised eyebrow, somehow keeping his mouth from hanging open.
"...You're not suggesting yourself...are you?" He blinked once. Twice. Then a few more times just because his brain couldn't think of anything better to do at the moment. "I mean, really, you wouldn't WANT me to stay here, would you?"

"Of course I don't. Why on earth would I?" Siegfried stared at him with (feigned) astonishment. "...unless you're asking instead of pretending that you think that'd ever happen. In which case, I'd have to ask why you're that desperate, why you think I would let you stay here, and if you're willing to pay rent." He pulled a small notebook and a pen out of nowhere a plot hole wherever-the-hell-he-had-kept-it and started writing in it. "See, if you are that desperate and if I get something out of it, I suppose it's a possibility. I hadn't thought about it, but..."

"Quit playing stupid with me, I know exactly what the hell you meant there," Seto scoffed accusatorily. "Oh, yes, I'm sure you didn't mean yourself when you said intelligent, decent, and--what was that last part again? A rather large house, yes, I'm certain you didn't mean it that way at all. Why would I be so desperate to stay here when I've already thought of other places to go anyway?"

Siegfried sighed, rolling his eyes. "Yes, I'm sure you'd want to stay with an idiot -- who is simultaneously a prat -- in a tiny little house that can barely accomadate its inhabitants plus one guest. It's only logical that you'd want them to have a rather large house, isnt' it? And for them to be an intelligent and halfway-decent human being, also." He leaned back. "You have a strange mind, Kaiba. I wonder what else it is that you think my words mean. Why don't you tell me about some of your other interpretations of my statements; I'm sure it would be a wonderful venture into the ridiculous..." Seeing no need for them to be there at the moment, he put his pen and notebook down Somewhere. "I don't really want you in my house as it is; why would I suggest that you stay with me? Seems like a denial of my innermost feelings to even hint at it."

"Now, did I say I didn't think you were a prat?" His face wasn't going red from embarrassment, was it? He hoped not, as he was certain he was right in his assumptions.
"You know, the more time I spend with you, the more I think there might actually be something to everyone's opinions about us. Or you, at the very least. Crazy and insane, perhaps, ridiculous, most definitely, but I can't help but feel there's more to our little chats than some chess and an exchange of scathing words."

"Oh, you do, do you?" Siegfried purred, smirk widening. "So even the one person I would've loved to count on as a defence is doubting me? Pity. Truly a pity." He crossed his legs. "May I ask what has led you to this strange conclusion? Have I made mistakes in not attempting to have you assassinated at every turn? Should I just tell you to sod off whenever you stop by? Would that make you feel better?" A laugh. "I've been attempting to keep myself from doing those things in the interest of being civil, but I don't have to."

His arms were crossed again, a scowl growing across his face. "How about you tell me what's really going on, hm? I may be paranoid, but really, I get the feeling..."
His head shook a little. "You know what, nevermind. Just forget I brought it up. If you say there's nothing, then I'll believe you."
Except I probably won't, but that's beside the point.

"I say there's no--" Siegfried paused, eyes narrowing. "...I say there is something, Kaiba. There is something going on here, perhaps one-sided, but then how could it not be with such hatred between us?" He sneered. "It's blatantly obvious, and I'm surprised you haven't been much more affected by it, but that's just me. This attempt at pretending there's nothing is just not working for me, so let's stop with the charade. If I must be the one to make the truth bitterly obvious, if you are incapable of realising it, then I am forced to do it for you." He leaned back, smirk disappearing and being replaced with an expression of supreme suspicion. "Just how long have you had feelings for me, Kaiba?"

Seto gaped. He would've fallen off the chair at that had he not found that he was too stiff to move. Siegfried, in one fell swoop, had just completely turned tables on them.
"Me?!" he sputtered. "You're accusing ME of this? Ho ho, you're not getting me like THAT, my dear and devious friend and hated rival. You're not going to completely turn this around on me. I'm the one accusing--though, granted, not out right like that--you of feelings and emotions other than pure and unbridled hatred between us."

"To make up for your own, yes, I am very well aware," Siegfried said, voice deadly serious. (Which was the only way he could keep from bursting out laughing). "But you don't have to lie to me when I know the truth; really, it's fairly obvious. All those people picking up on it? It's not ME they're looking at. No..." he went on, leaning in conspiratorially, and then continuing in an undertone, "The main source of these theories would have to be the things that you say. And really, who could blame you for feeling that way towards me? Everyone does, whether they admit it or not." He allowed himself a wry smile. "And while I know it's hard for you to admit it...I would be glad if you'd stop being so timid about it and just get over yourself. Go on, say it. You'll feel much better afterwards."

"...You have GOT to be kidding me."
...Well, shit. SHIT. SHITSHITFUCKINGSHITGODDAMNEDSLIMYBASTARD--I should kill him, damn it.
"I wouldn't say it even if it WAS the truth. Really, I don't lie that often. I'm not going to just say something completely untrue just because you want to hear me say it." He paused here, leaning back away from the sneaky devil a bit before continuing. "That's it, isn't it? You're so wrapped up in me that you just want to hear those words come out of my mouth. Well, fat chance. Don't pin this one me when it's not me in the slightest. Maybe you're the one covering up, eh? I bet that's it."

"Mmmmm, yes, go ahead and think that. If I wanted to have you, Kaiba, you would have realised long before now. If I had feelings for you I would not deny them; what's the point? Honestly, you'd think that I were some immature blushing child with an infatuation, the way you insist I am, when..." He shut his eyes and leaned back. "When it has to be obvious to anyone with any common sense that I will not give up in persuit of what I desire; I get what I want if I really want to, with no denial and no qualms. And I'm afraid I am just not motivated to go after you. Perhaps I'm just lazy; perhaps it's something else that you'll pull out of the vortex of logic that is your mind. But you'd have to come up with one damn good reason why I wouldn't already have outright said anything if you want me to even see how it is possible to draw the conclusion that you have..."

"Is that the reason? Is that the reason that you're so determined not to tell me?" At first it seemed like a change of subject, but Seto certainly hadn't forgotten his quest for this knowledge.
"Perhaps you're afraid, hm? Rejection, not to mention embarrassment--you never did like to be humiliated, even in private. Hell, I was just this way for a long while--" He stumbled here for a very quick moment. Which was probably all too glaringly obvious to the other. "--once, when I was actually thinking I was in love. You're afraid of falling into this trend of unrequited love."

Siegfried's eyes slowly opened. "Oh? You...?" He slowly grinned. "No. That I did not expect. But on the subject of me, which is after all a far superior one. Why would I be worried about unrequited love? You wouldn't reject me." Well, you probably would, but I can pretend, can't I? "I wouldn't bother with it. And if I did, it wouldn't be unrequited love for long. If I were that worried about humiliation, there would be no reason for you to think I felt anything for you -- you would probably never suspect." He moistened his lips with his tongue, while he considered his next statement momentarily, then went on: "I just wonder what part of 'I do not love' you don't understand. The part about me, the 'not', or the 'love'? If I were to love I would admit it freely to the world; all the better for those who adore me, isn't it? But you...you just seem to be falling into the assumption that everyone loves you unrequitedly. They don't. We don't. I don't."

"I'm sure," spat Seto. "I see no reason why you would really just come out and say it anyway. Wouldn't that just be so embarrassing, everyone heckling you for this, about being a hypocrite? Who says I wouldn't reject you?"
He rested his hands on his knees, gripping at the cloth of the pants rather tightly. "How about we both just say we still hate each other and shall always be that way and drop the subject?"

"We could...but then we'd be lying to each other," Siegfried said sweetly, "Do you want to hate me that badly? I wouldn't think so..." He shrugged. "Do I want to hate you that badly? Yes, but that is not my point. My point is that saying 'always' or 'never' seems pointless. You could always change your mind, couldn't you? Even I could, though heaven help me if I do...so why bother with that? I mean, I never had qualms about lying, but..."

"...Then could we at the very least drop the subject, as it seems like we're obviously not going to get anywhere like this? Sure, we can always change our minds. But that has yet to happen. I still despise you as I'm sure you probably do me, even if I happen to start thinking differently." In fact, at this very moment, there was nobody he hated more than Siegfried. This was unfair. This was despicable. It was deplorable. And it showed on his face.

"...fine. Fine. We'll drop the subject." Siegfried wasn't going to push it, not with this man. Not today. Not during this visit. Not again. "I..." He searched his mind for something to say which would not result in getting his throat ripped out -- which would be an inconvenience, to say the least. "I assure you," he said in a calm, level voice, "I abhor you to the highest degree. And I find it very unlikely that that will ever change, even though I do sometimes regret that fact. Mostly late at night, about the same time I'm reading the e-mails my stupid employees send me and deploring the state of the world. If you're going to demand an explination for that, don't worry; it's only ever a passing fancy."

"And now that you've said that, fine, I'll believe you. And I think you'd do well in believing me when I say that I have NEVER had affections for you or any feelings whatsoever except absolute hatred." He ran a hand through his hair, waited a moment until his bangs settled back into the exact same place they had just been moved from, and then drew a rather deep breath. "Look, if anything I've said's offended you, then...well, sure, it's a good thing, but still... I won't go on about odd assumptions...for now, at least. We should just..." He glanced at a clock. "I should just go, really."

"Please do," Siegfried sneered, "If you can't leave well enough alone. If you can, you might as well leave anyways, but you'd leave less animosity." Oh, just get out of my house now, please. I know the truth. "I'm sure that you at least have something to do. Like brag about the chess game. Or something along those lines." He was not feeling extremely warm and fuzzy towards Seto at the moment, he noted lazily, but then, when wasn't he? He wondered if he was "asking for it". If he was, he might as well just give up on any attempts at not being nasty and go with it.

"Perhaps I'll do just that." Seto quickly stood and snatched his jacket from the back of the couch, not even bothering to slip it on before turning for the door. "If ever you want another chess game--which, of course, I'm sure you will--then all you have to do is say so. Maybe I'll find some time to squeeze you in within my busy schedule during the week."

"Oh, I feel so honoured. Fancy that, me having a place on your schedule! You know, with the way you stack up the enemies, I'm sometimes shocked that you have time for chess. To say that you were your own worst enemy would draw a thousand tired cries from all over the world all saying: 'Not while I'm alive'." Siegfried was tempted to spit at him, but thought better of such a lapse in class. "And no louder voice would there be than mine, I'm sure." His eye twitched involuntarily, his nails were digging into his arms, and he was just pissed off in general for perhaps no reason at all. Or for a reason. Siegfried wasn't quite sure which was true anymore. He just knew he wanted to kill, and that this irritation would do no-one any good so long as it was bottled up. But he'd save a little of it for his other self, for the simple reason that he had always felt there was a special place in hell for people who let his coffee grow cold.

"Oh, I'm sorry, is my mere existance and obvious popularity or lack thereof, depending on the case, bothering you? Oh dear, I am SO sorry for ever having the GALL and AUDACITY to step into your life!" He whirled around again, face flushed with rage--well, perhaps he wasn't quite that annoyed with Siegfried. 'Rage' was more suited for another rich, annoying, flamboyant CEO. "Do you hate me? FINE! Go ahead and hate me, then; nobody's stopping you! I'm SO glad that you think yourself my worst enemy--you know what? I don't GIVE a fuck who my 'worst enemy' is. An enemy is an enemy--an obvious threat that will, perhaps, in time, be dealt with."

"I do hate you. I hate you with an all-consuming passion, Kaiba. And I think that you take it far too lightly. You walked into my life, messed it up, and then expect me to take it lying down. My, you certainly have a good idea as to how any person would react to that, don't you? God, you piss me off..." Siegfried hissed. Kill him. I could kill him now -- they'd imprison me, but it'd be worth it. I could do it now...with... His eyes scanned his surroundings briefly, searching for a suitable tool. And it'd all be over.
And somehow, someway, the other Siegfried was hearing this discussion through the walls, and over the blaring noise of his videogame. It was affecting his gameplay, and was becoming a bit of a thorn in his side. Allowing his mild curiosity free reign, he paused the game and snuck about until he found a suitably slightly-open doorway to watch and listen through. He wasn't certain if he wanted them to shut up and go their separate ways, or start fighting then and there, but either way, he would watch it with horrified shock. Or shocked horror; whichever worked better. ...he really just wanted to watch himself fight someone.

"I guess I've done my job then," Seto replied with a smug sneer. "Glad I've managed to do just that. Because isn't that what I should do for all of my enemies?" The sneer was then replaced with a frown as he pondered his next few words for a moment. It then evolved into a scowl. "You know, I never chose to walk into your life. Hell, I never even got to choose MY life! I never chose to step on your dreams, dismantle your desires, flatten all hopes, burn away your reputation, and nearly ruin everything--but you know what? It happened. That's fucking life. Rather hard to deal with, isn't it? Welcome to reality. Deal with it, get over yourself, it's done, and nothing can change that."

"Nothing can change it. Nothing can change it. Wonderfully inspiring words, Kaiba. I will change it, and if I cannot change it, then I will at least...rectify it," Siegfried said, voice low and dripping with hate. "It's not fair, life's not fair, but I will tip the advantage in my favour. Somehow." Shut up, shut up, this is not going to get you anywhere, shut up NOW. Take advantage of the moment and get at his throat. "And hopefully I will never have to deal with it again, but I feel the need to warn you that if you EVER come into my house again and act the way that you have..." He trailed off meaningfully, then added: "You can guess at what that means, O Realistic One, and if you can't you are more a waste of oxygen than even I had ever believed." His hands were clenched into fists by now, and he was gritting his teeth in an attempt to keep from screaming his words. "It's...not...fair," he whispered in a barely audible tone. "Not fair."

"No. It's not. And I don't think someone like you should go around wasting his time trying to make it fair, because that's never gonna happen." To say he was furious would have been an understatement. Then again, to say he was as terribly mad as Siegfried would've been a complete overstatement. "Life doesn't take care of people. They take care of themselves. Life seems to like toying with people, really, and it seems that you and I have been caught up in such. You blame me. I understand that. I blame people for things all the time, probably never realizing it was never even their fault in the first place. Oh, but what now? Going to turn into a bigger villain than usual and try to kill me rather than just mutter and grumble about me everyday? Are you going to do something about this? Ignoring the fact that I hardly ever realized you were even there when it all happened? Are you going to throw me out and hope that I never return for some friendly conversations?"

Siegfried shot a death glare at his enemy. "I am going to..." he started fiercely, then stopped for a moment. "What I am going to do," he said as calmly as possible, "Is I am going to wait for you to leave, and then I'm going to go upstairs and lock myself in my room, and I am going to wait. I am going to wait for something to come and give me a new reason to continue my existance on this desolate, stupid planet, and then I'm going to take care of you. If it takes a decade or an hour, I don't care, because I have patience." He laughed darkly. "And if you ever come back, which I sincerely hope you won't, you can talk to the idiot who's off playing videogames or doing some other type of foolishness. I don't want to talk to you, because I have had enough of your constant assumptions that in the end turn out to not even be correct. I am tired of you, Kaiba. If you have nothing else to say to me, then by all means, get out of my house."

Seto faked a shudder. "Oh, you've got me shaking in my boots, Siegfried. Really. Go ahead and angst for a while. There are many far BETTER things you could be doing other than being pissed at me and whatever I may have inadvertantly done--though not to say that's never stopped people before--but if you must, then go do that. It seems that nobody would really care what you do, anyway. Go waste away your time and your life. For both our sakes, I do hope anything like this little fiasco here never happens again. Someone might end up hurt one of these days. My offer of chess still stands, no matter how much loathing there is right at this moment, though I highly doubt either of us will be so willing to do so again in the near future. And now I bid you a good day." Seto spun on his heel and trotted right out the front door, closing it with a resonating slam.

"Bastard...bastard...bastard...bastard...bastard..." Siegfried murmured over and over to himself, his own personal mantra, as he watched his enemy depart, then hid his face in his hands. "Bastard, bastard, bastard, bastard..." For a few minutes this went on. And then, abruptly, it stopped.
There was work to be done.
Slowly he stood up and, robotically, headed for the stairs. His other self squeaked and shuffled away when he felt in danger of being seen, but for now, Siegfried really just didn't care.
He headed up the stairs and to his room, and just as he'd promised, shut and carefully locked the door.
And proceeded to swear violently and vehemently for the next half an hour. OOC!Sieg wondered a little at this outburst, which was quite audible even from the ground floor, but remembered his video game and, after he started playing, quickly forgot about the entire incident.