ⅱ┆dictated

[shrugs_a_lot]

[He has been listening over the journal, while having coffee at the kitchen counter and trying to figure out a little something.]

Guess this place hasn't heard of birth control...

[Mutters to himself while there surely is a shrug from his part.]

Anyway, [Louder...] now that I have this open... I've looked around but, have you seen a man wearing a black cape? His name is...




[dot, dot, dot]




... He's pretty tall and he's got long silver hair. He also carries a long sword. [Descriptions, he's good at them.]

Comments

[20thcentury]

Doesn't sound one hundred percent familiar. Though you'll find plenty of men with long hair, and some who wear capes.

[shrugs_a_lot]

Should be easier with the name, but--

Thanks, I guess.

[20thcentury]

Well, then let's have it.

[shrugs_a_lot]

... Can'trememberit [Mumbled, mumbled.]

[20thcentury]

Nothing to be embarrassed about. That's probably just your loss.

[A beat.] Unless it's not and you're just forgetful. Then you ought to be embarrassed.

[shrugs_a_lot]

Who is embarrassed? [Denial.] What do you mean it's probably my loss? [Believe it or not, no one has told him about that.]

[20thcentury]

Your loss. The thing the castle takes from you on arrival.

For example, one of my teammates lost his second heart.

[shrugs_a_lot]

His second-- Are you pulling my leg?

[20thcentury]

The other one lost his ability to fly. [Her tone is teasing, though she's totally serious.]

[shrugs_a_lot]

... [Woman and their teasing tones...]

What about you?

[20thcentury]

[A beat. She's trying to pretend her loss isn't what it is and that it doesn't bother her in the slightest.]

Haven't found out yet.

[shrugs_a_lot]

Really...

[Won't prod.]

How do get whatever you lost back anyway?

[20thcentury]

[yes good.]

Far as I know, you can't. It's supposedly the 'price you pay' in order to live in this place. Sort of a magical admission, I suppose.

I've heard of people changing their losses after being knocked unconscious for awhile, though. But that's a bit risky, isn't it?

[deterrence]

[first Reshiram, now this...Cloud, she's inclined to believe you may have a Problem (with a capital P)]

Did you supposedly have a child with him?

[shrugs_a_lot]

[He doesn't have a Problem. He's got a PROBLEM.]

Nope. Did you?

[deterrence]

I'm hoping not. One is already quite a handful.

[shrugs_a_lot]

You do have a kid then?

[deterrence]

Yes. She's been showing up around this time for the past two years as well.

[shrugs_a_lot]

Why this time?

[deterrence]

Mother's Day, perhaps? The castle seems to commemorate some recurring occasions.

[when a dad castle and mom castle love each other very much...]

[shrugs_a_lot]

Hadn't heard of that one before.

[deterrence]

Where I come from, it's a day to honour mothers in particular. Quite commercialized, though.

[shrugs_a_lot]

Which holiday isn't?

You got a name?

[deterrence]

That's one way to look at it.

I'm Shizuru. May I ask for your name?

[shrugs_a_lot]

Cloud.