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[keybearer]

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[keybearer]

[...A cake. In hindsight, he should've expected this. It's Teufel. She bakes a lot.

So of course he'll eat it, and of course he'll enjoy it. Chocolate's awesome, and it's just so elaborate.

He may have to save some for later. It's only fair for him to hunt her down so he can give her his opinion.

So that's pretty much what he's doing now as he wanders through the halls. He's a guy on a mission!]

[dialo]

[Teufel can be located on the first floor, messing around with a jigsaw puzzle. Once she spots him coming, she sets the piece she'd been holding down (she wasn't making progress anyway) and turns to speak to him.]

Nice to see you, Kai.

[keybearer]

Heh, you too.

[Well, he'll go ahead and plop down next to her. No need to keep a distance, really. They're friends and all that.]

You having trouble?

[He eyes the puzzle. Those things always were kind of a pain.]

[dialo]

Just a little. I picked up the hobby last month, I can't say I'm particularly talented at it yet.

[Jigsaw puzzles are a skill, like everything.]

I'll get this one eventually.

[keybearer]

Sure you don't need a hand?

[He picks up a stay piece, holding it between his thumb and index finger.]

Might help to have an extra set of eyes.

[dialo]

I wouldn't say no. Have at it.

[She's constructed the border already - it's the middle part she's having trouble with.]

Did you like your cake?

[keybearer]

[Hmm, well, the obvious way to go is to continue working inward, so he'll skim around the edges of the border to try and find a spot that fits.

At the same time, he flashes her a smile.]

You really outdid yourself this time. Gotta say, I'm impressed.

[dialo]

Really? Thank you.

[For that he gets a genuine smile in return, without even a sardonic hint to it.]

It's the first time I've made that particular cake, so I wasn't certain about it.

[keybearer]

Hey, I could tell you poured your heart into it. Sometimes that's all it takes.

[...and wow, that came out sappier than he intended. So sappy that he covers his face with his palm. Man, he's such a dweeb...]

[dialo]

[Okay, now she's smirking a little.]

I'd ask if anyone ever told you how cheesy you sometimes sound, but it looks like you already know.

[keybearer]

Blame Donald and Goofy. They're about as cheesy as it gets.

[He pauses, snickering.]

...well, next to Sho, but he's a tough act to beat.

[dialo]

[Teufel is not from a world where she'd recognize those names, which is probably for the best.]

I got that impression from the few times that I've spoken to him. It seems like it comes naturally to him. I'd have to seriously work at it.

[keybearer]

Heh. Well, don't force it. It's one of those things that just kind of... happens, I guess. If it happens.

[Shrugging, he slips one of the pieces into place.]

Besides, I think you're fine the way you are.

[dialo]

[Her face goes up in flames in a second. Amazing, how easily embarrassed she can get by something she knows he doesn't mean in any way besides friendly.]

I, I appreciate that. ...Likewise.

[Staring intently at the puzzle and not at him.]

[keybearer]

Was that a blush?

[Heh. He's assuming she's just embarrassed, but he can't resist a tease. She makes it too easy.]

[dialo]

[!! Well, embarrassed is part of it...]

So what if it was? I'm armed with jigsaw puzzle pieces. Don't test me.

[keybearer]

Are you saying you've got a puzzle gun?

[He slides back and holds up his hands, as if he's legit terrified, but that grin's going nowhere fast.]

[dialo]

Who needs a gun?

[She tosses one of the pieces at his head, lightly.]

[keybearer]

Ack! You got me.

[And he falls backwards, ling still for a moment because he feels like being an overly dramatic dork.

It only lasts a few seconds before he pops back up and flicks the piece back at her.]

And now we're even.

[dialo]

[It whacks her horn, which she doesn't really feel, but she plays along... in her usual deadpan voice.] Oh no, I am bested. Whatever shall I do.

[keybearer]

Hmm... I'm feeling generous today, so I'll let you off the hook for now.

[He says, when he was the one who teased her in the first place. And that's another piece sliding into place.]

[dialo]

Mercy.

[She fiddles with another few pieces before speaking up again.] How have you been?

[keybearer]

Honestly? I'm just going through the motions.

[Sighing, he squints and tries to find another spot for the next puzzle piece.]

It's been almost a year since I got here, and I feel like I should've accomplished more by now.

[dialo]

It does get repetitive. I'm not sure how much there is to accomplish in the first place, here. Other than perhaps convince the Witch to raise wages.

[Or try and make the island less dangerous... But that's an unpleasant thought.]

[keybearer]

Heh. Think we could pull that off?

[That grin of his suggests he's seriously considering it, or at least pretending that's the case. What a dweeb.]