Fourth Strike; Audio

[kendo_taisho]

[There's a few seconds of silence, then a resigned huff of breath.]

I turned eighteen last week. Didn't even notice. Not sure what t'do about it. I'm a legal adult outta school and I should be happy about that. So much I can do here that I wasn't able to before. Can make a real difference in a way that matters to more than just a few people here an' there.

But I can't help but remind myself that I should have had someone here with me for this milestone. Kazuha should've graduated with me, an' I know when I go home it won't have mattered, but I was never supposed t'do it alone. She's been there with me practically my whole life, ya know? Everythin' important we did together. I haven't been thinkin' of home much, but I can't forget that she's not here, an' she should be.

[Another stretch of silence.]

Anyone else dealin' with this? What d'ya do to make it okay when ya can't share yer accomplishments with the people ya care about?

Comments

[video];

[tuxedo_magician]

[True!]

Oh, who's that? A girlfriend, maybe~?

[He knows it's not Kudo, since the kid is around here somewhere. Probably getting into trouble again.]

Oi, oi. What's that supposed to mean?

[video];

[kendo_taisho]

What are ya, crazy!? [They haven't gotten to that point. Yet.]

And ya know exactly what that's supposed t'mean. Yer a magician [Thief, troll, teenaged boy] an' ye'd just get me somethin' weird.

[video];

[tuxedo_magician]

Nope!

So. Am I right then~?

[He grins.]

Awww, you don't trust me? Totally breaking my heart here.

[video];

[kendo_taisho]

Not even close!

Tch, I'll trust ya when I know ye won't get me a gag gift.

[video];

[tuxedo_magician]

Suuuuuure. Keep telling yourself that.

[Laughs.]

I'll have you know that most of my presents are practical. Most of the time.

[video];

[kendo_taisho]

In your mind, maybe.

Just my luck I'd get that rare one where it's entirely useless except t'make me look weird.

[video]

[tuxedo_magician]

[If anything, he bets you two are just like Kudo and Mouri and him and Aoko]

Just for that, I have to get you something.

[video]

[kendo_taisho]

[He'll deny everything.

Flat.]

Please don't.

[video]

[tuxedo_magician]

[/totally ignoring that.]

It's gonna be awesome too. The best birthday present ever~!

[video]

[kendo_taisho]

I regret everythin' already.

[video]

[tuxedo_magician]

You have no faith in me, do you?