Like, sure, there was some stuff back home that he figured wasn't normal across every instance of the world. This was different though! Wasn't it? And as far as he was aware, he hadn't actually met his own demise just yet.]
Mm. You got me there at least, it definitely doesn't seem all that great for touchin' at the moment. Still, I dunno what would have caused it. These sort of things usually have a trigger or something, don't they?
That's true.... [ She nodded sagely, like the expert she was not. ] You can't think of anything? Something unusual that happened to you, or that you did, right before it all started? No premonitions or tingly feelings under the night sky?
Hmmm.... [ Such a mysterious situation! Even if it was really very interesting! The replicator and its fruity bounty went unnoticed for the moment, not that Kyoko would have presumed to use it without being told. ] It's possible your memory of the event was erased, of course....
Or it could be another instance of the gods being clumsy. Maybe you're their Chosen One.
No... I mean, [ This is dipping into slightly heavier territory than she'd wanted to, but, ] if I run out of anger for this place, I think... I probably won't know how to deal with it at all anymore.... Something like that. So, if I ever need an example of "how to get by," you definitely come to mind. That's all.
[ A pause, and then she comes back in full force earnest. ]
So, you definitely have role model qualities! You're qualified for sure.
[Kai studied her for a few moments, quiet. It did seem pretty heavy when she worded it that way, and while she seemed pretty good about adapting in the moment... well. He didn't know her deal. It wasn't his place to make those calls.]
Well, sure, not giving a shit is definitely a way to get by.
It's amazing! I thought I had a konjac heart, but you really know how to roll with things!
[ What could be a more valuable trait in a situation where you're kidnapped and somehow expected to just happily adapt? She continued just as earnestly, but her tone softened. ]
But, you know, you're not cold, either. That's even more amazing.
[Those bits and pieces of a smile went a bit more enigmatic as he thought about it. She really had, huh? Things probably should have gone a lot differently.]
No... [ Kyoko met his eyes, then lowered hers. ] --I mean, I don't know what things were like for you, before I met you, but... as far as I'm concerned-- [ Her gaze lifted to find his again. ] this place is cold. To me, you know? It's cold.
It's only people like you who warm it up enough to be bearable. The gods probably see it too.
[Kai couldn't say he agreed. At least in regards to himself. The basic idea though, that he understood perfectly well. He tilt his head a little and nodded.]
Mmm, I get you. I guess that's more what I mean. Iruma, Tokyo, Havenwell... the place doesn't matter much, to me. It's the people, like you said.
[ She hadn't been trying to invite that kind of comment at all, so there was a genuine little start, and then a tiny flush coming up in her cheeks as she shook her head. ]
You don't have to say that kind of thing! I really meant it, you know!
[ Time to hurriedly turn towards that replicator. ]
Aah, I've been taking up all your time, too--is it fine to go ahead and use this?
[ Bowing her head over the machine, Kyoko tried to settle herself down. Jeez, somehow she'd got Kaito calling the likes of her warm? She really had been taking too much advantage of his kindness from the start.
... But he didn't seem to mind very much, and that was an awfully nice feeling. ]
This one? --Um, if it's okay, I might need to take a lot of them, now that I think of it. I'll definitely need at least a few practice runs to figure out the recipe.
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I thought that too, but sometimes the static turns into actual crackles and stuff. I can turn the lights on and off, weird little things.
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But then... that sounds like you really are awakening to mysterious powers buried within you! That's the only thing that makes sense! Kaito!!
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[It was amused but also? Maybe??
Like, sure, there was some stuff back home that he figured wasn't normal across every instance of the world. This was different though! Wasn't it? And as far as he was aware, he hadn't actually met his own demise just yet.]
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[ Like, sincerely, no offense, but. ]
What could electricity have to do with that, right? This just has to be some aspect of your true potential coming to fruition!
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[That wasn't... No, Kai. Anyway here's the replicator.]
But nothing like... impactful, no.
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Or it could be another instance of the gods being clumsy. Maybe you're their Chosen One.
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[Kai helped himself to hoppin up on his kitchen counter.]
They'll be real disappointed in those results.
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[ Kyoko blinked up at him, a touch owlish. She'd thought Kaito was more or less at peace with his situation here. He wasn't like her. ]
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[He grinned at her, a little quirky around the edges.]
But I'm not exactly putting forth a lot of effort into being a stellar role model.
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How much more of a role model do you need to be?
[ She thought he was a pretty good one?? From what she could tell? ]
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I guess to be a Chosen One I'd probably need to be one on any level.
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I don't think you'd need me to model any kind of role for you in that scenario.
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[ A pause, and then she comes back in full force earnest. ]
So, you definitely have role model qualities! You're qualified for sure.
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Well, sure, not giving a shit is definitely a way to get by.
[Said as optimistically as one could.]
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[ What could be a more valuable trait in a situation where you're kidnapped and somehow expected to just happily adapt? She continued just as earnestly, but her tone softened. ]
But, you know, you're not cold, either. That's even more amazing.
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[Those bits and pieces of a smile went a bit more enigmatic as he thought about it. She really had, huh? Things probably should have gone a lot differently.]
This place isn't cold either. That helps.
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It's only people like you who warm it up enough to be bearable. The gods probably see it too.
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Mmm, I get you. I guess that's more what I mean. Iruma, Tokyo, Havenwell... the place doesn't matter much, to me. It's the people, like you said.
You're warm too, y'know.
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You don't have to say that kind of thing! I really meant it, you know!
[ Time to hurriedly turn towards that replicator. ]
Aah, I've been taking up all your time, too--is it fine to go ahead and use this?
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[But oh, okay. Replicator time. Kai blinked and leaned over a bit towards the machine.]
Of course, yeah. You want that button down there. [He gestured a bit, avoiding actually touching anything.]
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... But he didn't seem to mind very much, and that was an awfully nice feeling. ]
This one? --Um, if it's okay, I might need to take a lot of them, now that I think of it. I'll definitely need at least a few practice runs to figure out the recipe.
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Yeah, that one. S'fine, take as many as you want. I don't think there's a limit or anything, I took a whole bunch over to someone else before.
[And also made juice with more. It had seemed to work well enough.]
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