[Heart Game - Ed, Maya, Roxy]

[carptricks]

[It's dark. You're trying to move forward, but it feels like your limbs are weighed down by chains and shackles. Still, you push. You push and you pull and those chains are pulled taut and strained until suddenly--]

[Something snaps]

[You tumble forward, wind blowing past your face, until you lose awareness of anything around you. . .]

((another run ran concurrent to this one here))

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[soulping]

[her smile returns in a flash and she laughs]

Now now, I can't give away all of Kaito-kun's secrets, can I? ♥ But if your goal is to help, then perhaps you should check the casino.

[fuhrinkaed]

Alright. I'll do that in just a second. Thanks very much for your help, miss Chikage.

[Now let's look at where the water is rippling. There might be clock hands hidden somewhere.]

[soulping]

You're welcome!

[she gives Ed an overdramatic bow before she returns to instructing the dock workers on loading the ship]

[the water is rippling right next to the docks, near where the Tiamat boat is moored. there are also bubbles popping up to the surface from below. . . like something is swimming around and around in this area]

[fuhrinkaed]

...Splashy Jr! Is that you?!

[soulping]

[A GIANT BLUE HEAD SUDDENLY BREAKS THROUGH THE SURFACE. water sprays everywhere. you are now soaking wet, congratulations]

[but true to your predictions, Splashy Jr's head bobbles above water. you can see its tail flicking behind it, almost like it's. . . wagging it. like a dog would]

[HELLO c:]

[fuhrinkaed]

[Flinging the water off himself back into the water below via magic, but then HUGGING SPLASHY JR'S BIG HAPPY FACE.]

Haha... I knew you'd be here somewhere. How's Kaito treating you?

[soulping]

[you hug Splashy Jr's face and suddenly you feel absolutely and horrifically petrified, oh god this thing was a fish IT WAS A FISH oh god oh god you're touching it oh god--]

[. . . but those feelings fade away pretty quickly into some tentative acceptance. but he's been with Tiamat since practically the beginning of the team, right?]

[in response, Splashy Jr just continues to wag his little tail]

[fuhrinkaed]

[Well... that's some trepidation. So here's some more hugs and scratching Splashy Jr. like he likes back home and just generally being the BESTEST NICEST FRAND EVER because. Well. Ed loev pet dragon.]

[soulping]

[Ed sure does loev pet dragon. the longer he lingers, the stronger that acceptance gets]

[it's okay. it's okay. . . it's okay.]

[fuhrinkaed]

[...well...]

[hm.]

[since I'm here and Splashy Jr. and Kaito should get along...CONTINUE GIVING ATTENTION.]

Of course it's okay. Splashy Jr. wouldn't hurt anyone--not without us asking him to. He's family. Like everyone else's pokemon are to them.

[soulping]

[ALL THE ATTENTION]

[acceptance slowly starts to turn to fondness]

[I know that, but--]

[fuhrinkaed]

It's okay.

I know it's scary--but Splashy Jr. is a friend. He won't ever hurt you.

[soulping]

[the fond feelings suddenly turn very tsundere :T]

[I-it's not like I like something that used to be a fish or anything. . .!]

[Splashy Jr seems to remain blissfully unaware of this evolution and is just reveling in the attention tbh]

[fuhrinkaed]

[...well... okay that's normal for Kaito.]

...Okay, Splashy Jr. I'm going to go look for a shady guy who stole some clock hands from Kaito.

If you see anyone like that, stop 'em. Okay?

[soulping]

[Gyaradoses kind of have like one default expression, but Splashy Jr lets out a low growl and tries to look determined anyway. YOU GOT IT, BRO]

[fuhrinkaed]

Attaboy. Thanks.

[Alright then. TIME TO CHECK THE CASINO.]

[soulping]

[To get there you have to go back through the city hub, but from there, it's a straight shot to your destination]

[fuhrinkaed]

[Now that we're back, let's head ONTO THE BOAT.]

[soulping]

[YOU STEP ONTO THE BOAT--]

[well. no]

[you try to step on the boat, but as soon as your feet touch the ramp leading to the deck, Chikage descends into your path from above to stop you]

Nosy. . .!

[fuhrinkaed]

It's his team feelings, isn't it?

I need to get to the clock tower to keep a promise, and the best way is through a path of something he loves.

Since that's his team... I figured this would be the best way forward without seeing things he might not want to see. Right?

[soulping]

Team feelings? Oh, goodness, no!

[she laughs a little and doesn't move]

Those are around here, of course, but they are not on this ship. Perhaps you should look around a bit more?

[fuhrinkaed]

They're not..?

Then what is on this ship?

[soulping]

[Chikage lifts a finger to her lips and winks]

Se~cret.

[though it should be noted that the crates the mysterious figures are loading onto the ship are spread out across the docks, too. so he could look at them, if he wanted!]

[fuhrinkaed]

[He notes this as well... but first gotta try one more thing.]

You're part of Kaito. You have to know that the easiest way to get me to not nose in on something I don't know about is to tell me what it is.

Are you sure you want to go through things this way?

[soulping]

[she's still smiling, but it softens]

Sometimes. . . it takes a little bit of prying to see the parts of Kaito-kun that he's afraid to show people, mmmm?

He has gotten somewhat better at opening up, but if you ask me, a little push is exactly what he needs at times. ♥