Night 009

[whiteofcrime]

[ Sometime early in the night, during Kaito's downtime, a series of lines begins to draw themselves across the next empty spread of pages.

The lines aren't completely straight. His busted shoulder means that even with a ruler, he can't utilise both hands to make the schematic perfect. However, his hand is steady and he works with patience to make sure everything lines up the way it's meant to. He'd practised on other non-journal sheets beforehand.

Eventually the map below takes shape, annotated in blue and red. ]

(click image for larger version)


[ In the corner, Kaito writes some notes about the watchtowers. ]

Watchtowers
There are four towers. The stairs lead to the tallest one.
They're lined up alone the side of the castle (you can see them from the Horticulturalist's room).
There's a guard room on the way up that has weapons, supplies etc.
Also a fox which can see through magic maybe.


(Disclaimer: All the above names are ones which Kaito has decided on. They are not necessarily the official names.)

Comments

[angel_of_death]

Well, you have three general methods you might be able to accomplish that with. [He lifted his hand, extending fingers to count off the ways.] Find a way to dissolve it. Find a way to burn it and melt it down. Or... dispose of it in a place where no one will even try going after it. Throw it into a volcano or something.

[whiteofcrime]

In a volcano? [ Kaito stared at Walter incredulously and then began to snicker. ] A volcano, haha! You've got a point, no-one would ever try and chase after a gem in the middle of a pit of lava!

[ After some more laughter, he sobered. ]

Well, there's always a chance that it's impervious even to that kind of heat since it's gotta be a magic gem. But it's not like Mount Fuji's gonna go extinct any time soon. And by then, maybe...

[ By the time it or some other active volcano did go extinct, the legend should have faded and any record of Pandora's final resting place should be gone. Kaito's brow creased as he thought over the matter. He continued in a mutter: ]

But what if gets spat out again during the next eruption...

[angel_of_death]

[Walter paused. That was a good point. A thoughtful hum emanating from his throat, he considered the options.]

...Try dissolving it or burning it yourself first then. In that order. It can be consumed, so it obviously isn't impervious to everything.

[whiteofcrime]

[ He nodded slowly. ]

I'll try both if I get the chance to. Hopefully I do get the chance to before they get to it. Or me.

[ As soon as he said that, doubt crept into his expression. They might well manage to off him before Pandora was found. Worse - they might kill him once he had it but before he could destroy it. ]

[angel_of_death]

You've got your work cut out for you there. Especially since they've had around a decade to refine their organisation.

[A sobering thought, but one that Kaito really ought to consider when tackling his problem. Lest he end up like his father.]

[whiteofcrime]

I know. [ Kaito fixed Walter with a look of grim determination. ] But at least I have an audience to keep an eye on me while I taunt them. And no matter how well-organised they are, they're still human.

[angel_of_death]

[And even if they weren't, there would still be a way to best them. Even powerful, ageless monsters could be bested.

His mood lightened with the thought, a daring smirk tugging at the corner of his lips as he leaned back languidly on his arms.]

That's right. Pay attention to how they operate, and figure out how to work around their tactics. If you can find an ally that can't be bought off, even better.

[whiteofcrime]

[ He slowly smiled back, a smirk less edged with danger than probably looked on Walter's face, but no less smug. ]

Oh, I already have one. I'm lucky I do. My dad's old assistant. [ And then his eyebrows drew together in worry. ] But he's old now. I don't like pushing him too hard...

[angel_of_death]

Well, if you're that concerned, talk to him about it. [He shifted his weight, leaning towards Kaito a little more as his expression turned curious.] ...Or is there something stopping you from doing that?

[whiteofcrime]

About his age? I have. He insists on helping me no matter what I say.

[ Good old Jii-chan. Enthusiastic, but Kaito really needs to start reducing his hours. ]

[angel_of_death]

Then he's the one pushing, not you. There's nothing you need to feel guilty about for that.

[Hopefully the old man would mind his own limits. But it sounded like Kaito was more than willing to call him on it if he pushed himself too hard.]

[whiteofcrime]

I guess...

[ Kaito still looked doubtful. If anything happened to Jii, he would never forgive himself. Regrets about not insisting harder, not keeping his assistant safe enough... ]

You see things pretty simply, huh.

[angel_of_death]

I don't know if I do that.

[Did he think of things simply?]

I just see them how I see them.

[whiteofcrime]

[ He snickered, smiling. ] That's what we call 'simple'. It's not a bad thing. Maybe 'straightforward' is a better word. I don't get to talk about this with anyone other than Jii usually and he's always fussing or dressing things up politely 'cause I'm his 'bocchama'.

[ The last word was said in a rough, elderly man's voice. Presumably his assistant's. ]

[angel_of_death]

Bocchama? [He looked at Kaito, confusion clear in his eyes.] What does that mean?

[whiteofcrime]

Um... [ He thought about it - what was the equivalent in English? ]

It's what you call someone who's not the master but they're the master's...next-in-line, I guess? Jii used to work for dad, so dad gets the 'Master' title. I get 'bocchama' because I'm meant to take up his title, see?

[angel_of_death]

Oh. [His posture relaxed again, his eyes turning to some indistinct point ahead of him as he thought.] Was he fond of your father?

[whiteofcrime]

Yeah. Fond enough to try and go out as Kid and lure Dad's killers out. [ He sighed. ] Just so happened I discovered Dad's secret around the same time, but I didn't know he was posing as Kid until I confronted him during the heist. He thought I was Dad at first.

[angel_of_death]

Maybe that's why he's trying so hard to look after you. [For his father's sake, Walter thought; it didn't seem far-fetched.]

[whiteofcrime]

I know it is.

[ He shifted uncomfortably. While he was grateful for the assistance, recent events back home had him wondering from time to time whether he shouldn't be more insistent that Jii retire. ]

...Do you have anyone like that? Anyone who'd give their life for you?

[angel_of_death]

Aside from the odd stranger who might mistake me for a mere boy in trouble?

[Like that one who had somehow ended up in the room with them when they were sent back to their worlds; that man had at least tried to distract his enemy... and probably would have died for his trouble. Hopefully he had been sent back to wherever he came from, since he didn't seem to be in this world with them now.]

...I'm not sure. [There were people who were fond of him, to be certain. But he didn't know how far that fondness stretched. Rei, maybe. And... perhaps Asch.

He smiled, warmed at the thought of them.]

Maybe.

[whiteofcrime]

[ Kaito watched Walter's face transform from thoughtful into...possibly the first smile he's witnessed from him. He savoured the moment because he felt like he wouldn't see it again any time soon.

A friendly elbow in the side broke Walter from his musings. ]

I'm not gonna lie and say I'd die for you, [ he joked. ] 'Cause that's terrifying. But I'd do it on principle. I'd risk it for all of you guys.

[angel_of_death]

[Walter startled a bit at the jab, looking at Kaito with widened eyes before letting out a huff of amusement.]

Just don't risk it recklessly. If you do, I'll only get mad at you.

[He did appreciate the show of care, however, and his spirits were the brighter for it.

For now, he would enjoy the company.]