[center][h1][color=#af7ac5][b]Valerie Durand[/b][/color][/h1][/center]

Valerie opened her eyes with a groan, immediately registering Ceruli hovering worriedly around her shoulder. What the hell had happened...? 

Oh, right. The spirit she lost to possessed her or something. And then she'd lost a duel for the second time tonight. Damn. Possessed her didn't even get enough time to be a bitch, having bit her tongue more than once because her tag partner had been pissing and moaning about being passed up for a date or something. Ugh. Prick didn't have something better to complain about? 

[b]"Valerie?"[/b] Ceruli asked hesitantly. [b]"Are you alright now? I was afraid you'd not return to the land of the living."[/b]

[color=#af7ac5][b]"I'm fine. You know, except for my pride."[/b][/color] She sighed, picking herself off the ground. [color=#af7ac5][b]"Probably a good thing we lost that last one, but it still feels like it sucks."[/b][/color]

[b]"I am still holding to that 'no help' stipulation you gave me years ago, you know."[/b] Ceruli pointed out as Valerie began to slip away, in no mood to talk to anyone else for the moment. [b]"If I-"[/b]

[color=#af7ac5][b]"No."[/b][/color] Valerie said flatly as she trudged back towards the dorms. [color=#af7ac5][b]"I'll make some deck adjustments tomorrow and look into picking up some new cards. I can do this. Just need to play better."[/b][/color]

A resigned sigh was all the response Ceruli gave as they made their way back.