forestcovered inbox;

[keybearer]

Will format this in a little bit. Consider this a placeholder.

Comments

[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.]

[dialo]

Someone might be able to. I'm not sure how I'd contribute, but I'd help if there was anything for me to do.

[She's considering it as well, but 'bribing her with pies' doesn't seem like it would work.]