[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))

Comments

[soulping]

Goodness, no. It is nothing of that sort. I am merely his assistant, and I was his father's assistant before he passed away.

[feytality]

His.... assistant?

[Kaito seems more the sidekick type]

Passed away...?

[soulping]

Yes. Kuroba Toichi-san was a great magician who passed away when young master was only nine.

The loss truly devastated him, though I'm certain he did his best not to show it.

[feytality]

Magician, huh...

Yeah, that seems like the kind of thing he'd keep secret.

[soulping]

[the man's expression turns a bit sad]

Young master keeps much bottled within him. I worry about him, quite frequently. . .

[feytality]

[Awww pool loser]

Does he know you're worried....?

[soulping]

I believe so. . . [his smile is a bit lopsided]

After all, I am the part of his soul which acknowledges the worries of other people. I am willing to be more earnest than other area of this heart.

[feytality]

So how's Kaito doing, really....?

[soulping]

He is coping.

I would not say he is doing badly, for he has learned how to deal with the things that trouble him. Still. . . [fret fret fret]

I wish he would open up more, that is all.

[feytality]

We gotta make that happen! Right?

[soulping]

Ah. . . I do not think forcing honesty is the proper avenue, here.

But-- [a thoughtful pause] Perhaps if you see more of him, you will know how to approach him outside of his heart?

[feytality]

I was thinking more about bribing him with shiny things!

But, sure, let's go with plan b.

[soulping]

S-shiny things?

[now poor Jii just looks confused]

[feytality]

You know, because he's a dragon.

[IT MAKES PERFECT SENSE]

[soulping]

Ah. . . ah! I see.

[he chuckles lightly]

It is a nice joke.

[feytality]

I thought so!

So how do I get him to talk to me?

[soulping]

[the old man goes silent for a moment. contemplatively silent]

. . . you must not force him. Young master. . . tends to keep his secrets under lock and key, which is why I worry about him so much. But if you approach from a point of understanding--

[he takes in a deep breath, and nods]

I believe the museum will be a good place for you to begin.

[feytality]

...Alright, I'll do my best.

How do I get there?

[soulping]

If you head outside, you'll be able to see the museum clearly to your right. The pathway there is clear.

[feytality]

Thanks, old man! Anything else I should know?

[soulping]

. . . be careful.

Young master is a good person, but even he has areas of his soul that are wrought with danger.

[feytality]

I laugh in the face of danger!

[gonna head off, though] See ya later!

[soulping]

Goodbye, Eveningstar-san!

[and she heads off}