justonetruth | (no subject)

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[Toichi was not one to often seem like he was taken off guard. Even when he was, it was amazing how he kept most people from realizing it. This situation he's found himself in, however?

Well, even the great Kuroba Toichi has to have a bit of a 'bwuh' look at finding himself suddenly in a dining hall when he had been just walking into the kitchen. And quite the expansive dining hall at that with all the food prepared.

Sure, he could pull off a disappearing act, but he usually knew where he was going to end up.]

How...strange.

[Oh, and something to note? This Toichi looks...older then some people might know him as. At least eight years older than most Kaito's would remember him, in fact.]

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Not in the precisest of terms.

[And it's not a lie; not really. The Kid of Kuroba Kaito never met his predecessor, and the Kid of Kuroba Toichi... well, how can one meet oneself? The shadows around his face deepen as Toichi approaches, keeping his features hidden from examination.

It's his father. Himself. Kid's often tried not to remember, but now he does; his own death, the shattering of Kid until the monocle was reclaimed once more. It's an ache deep in his chest, but one that Poker Face covers over completely. He's unsure whether to raise his armour further, or to abandon pretense and hug the man like he always wished he could.]

You could say I'm an old family friend.

[He smiles ironically, letting Toichi know there is more to that statement than what it seems.

[Not the precisest of terms, but an old family friend. In a Kid outfit. With a smile that was definitely a trademark to a certain alter ego. Toichi came to a conclusion, but it seemed almost too weird. Even for him.

But then again, would it hurt to go with it for a guess?]

An old family friend? Would you be the one who happens to have an older brother who was, for a time, a great deal shorter than you? [After all, it was the Kid ego who had Kudo Shinichi as an elder brother by their naming.]

[Kid's smile broadens, and he replies smoothly.]

Very good.

Though unfortunately for him, my dear brother is once again, in half, shorter than me.

[Riddles within riddles; how Kid talks. And he's not dropping any of the needed hints for the solving.

It's partially because of his concealed nervousness - there's a breathless tightrope balance, the moment before a fall, all coiled into his stomach over meeting Toichi again.]

[And that got an eyebrow raise.]

...and here I thought that boy just had a striking resemblance. [Yes, he's met Conan. It was quite eerie how much someone who looked like his own boy at that age as well as Shinichi giving him so much trouble.

Toichi was good with riddles. From the way he said it, it sounded like this....what would it be? A personification of the Kid identity, perhaps? as around his time. He had entertained the thought that perhaps Kudo Shinichi got shrunk when Edogawa first arrived. Gifted child or not, that was just too good to be normal. Not that he could confirm it, but it'd be the only scenario that fit with that sentence.

Now why this Kid looked different...that was another question all together and one he didn't have an answer for.]

[Toichi is correct; he is Kid, from both ages, a physcial incarnation of the spirit of the Kaitou. He's not the only one to have been split, either; his tantei-kun is two people, small and large.]

He's more than he seems, and less than he is.

[Kid's tone is light and smiling (as always), but as he changes topic, it gathers seriousness around itself.]

Tell me, Toichi-kun, how old are you?

[Now that was a great deal more puzzling. More than he seems, but less than he is? The first part is easy, but the second...]

I'm 39. [But there was a question in his expression. 'Conan' was a recent arrival to the stage. Shouldn't he know his age roughly from that?]

I thought that might be the case.

[Kid's tone is quiet, and he lifts his hand, making an ace appear there. He smiles, tipping his head back to regard Toichi a little thoughtfully.]

I can elucidate upon my circumstances to you if you'd like, though I doubt it will be a pleasant tale to hear.

[Toichi paused to consider. After all, he knew what knowing too much could cause, especially when it regarded unpleasant tales.

Then again.]

It is part of a magician's professor to mask the truth, making a harsh reality something far more gentle, if not a beautiful illusion. It's impossible to do that, however, if a magician is unable to except a harsh reality.

Then, for your listening pleasure, I shall attempt to make this show as easy on your ears as it can be made.

First things first~

[Kid makes a small gesture, a shake of his sleeves, smiling faintly.]

Nothing up my sleeves...

[And while his hands are occupied with his cuffs, his hat and monocle simply... vanish. He bows, looking up at Toichi, smile ever more enigmatic. He could be Toichi's son. Or his younger brother. Or, as is actually the fact, a blend of Toichi and Kaito.]

Kaitou Kid. A pleasure, Kuroba Toichi-kun

[As the disguise is removed, it's easier to understand why he had been so familiar. It was like looking into some distorted mirror. He can see himself there, but he could also see things that weren't right. Some of the facial features fitting more Kaito's face than his own.

But why would there be Kaito? Was it possible this...phantom? Was so far, that he eventually had to retire and let Kaito take over? It was certainly the difficult riddle.]

That it is. [And returns the bow.] Thank you for all of your help throughout these years.

You are most welcome.

But not all of that I can take credit for, I'm afraid. You, dear Toichi, have had eight years beyond what I had with you.

Some years ago for me, when your son was nine, you died.

[The ace he had in his hand vanishes.]

So did I.

[He smiles, softly, fondly.]

And then eight years later, the monocle was picked up again and I became anew, as Kuroba Kaito's shadow.

[A breath, and the ace reappears, the suit changed from hearts to spades.]

It is quite the honour to meet you again.

[The honour? Yes. But also, more than that. The thrill, the joy... father/brother/himself... To see Toichi again is a true pleasure, and lightens his otherwise sombre mood.]

[The first reaction was a total look of poker face. Died? He died? And eight years ago, what had...?

Ah, wasn't it around that time?]

I see. [And there is some sadness there. More of the fact that he had left. Left Chikage. Left Kaito. Left Jii. And all with unfinished work, it seemed.]

I suppose my luck wasn't as good that time around. I am sorry you had to suffer as well. I do hope you're enjoying the time with Kaito as I've enjoyed our time together. [As serious as Kid sometimes had to be, it was still a thrill when there wasn't bullets involved.]

That I do. Your son is quite the talented magician.

[But of course, this Toichi has no need for information on his son's life, does he? He's been there to see him grow up.]

And... our sufferance was limited by the company we had with each other, and others beside. [A bland smile.] The years haven't been kind, but we've finally found a place for ourselves.

But I've been remiss, again, in my duties as a host. This place really does bring out the worst in me...~

[He grins, reproducing the monocle with a deft flick of his hand and putting it in place. Now that he's not displaying his face for indentification, he prefers to keep it in place.

It's not as blatant a subject change as you might see elsehwere, but that is precisely what it is.] May I offer you something to eat?

He's always had amazing potential, even as a child. [It was quite sad to think there was a him who didn't get to see how much that potential would grow.]

Even the ever lucky Kaitou Kid needs some hard times, but I have found those are worth it to have a place in the world.

[Subject change is good. It means he doesn't have to think about being dead in another life.] I'm not particularly hungry, but tea would be quite lovely.

Don't I know it. [A reply to both statments, and neither melancholy nor joyful, a simple statment.]

Well then~

[He rubs his gloved hands together cheerfully and examions the selection of teas on the table.

Everything is always a show, and Kid is the consummate actor; there is a *pon* and he's suddenly wearing a frilly white apron over his clothes, on the opposite side of the table, ready to serve. He grins impishly.]

I can offer you quite the selection. Darjeeling? Earl Grey? Or perhaps a more traditional green tea?

I suppose you would. That must be a real sight. I always found I did my best work with you.

[And that's a snicker at the apron. It really doesn't fit and it's hard not to.]

Let's go with the traditional.

[A gesture, and he might well pay for this later, but for now, he's here to put on a show and impress the man who made him.

There's a qiuet clatter, and teacups rise into the air, teapot pouring and cakes moving onto their plates as Kid conducts everything with deilcate gestures of his hands.

A flick of his fingers, and a teacup is sent Toichi's way, shortly followed by a small plate of light cakes. A chair is nudged out from under the table as almost an afterthought.]

And there we are~

[ He smiles, and takes his own seat, lifitng his teacup from where it hovers in the air next to him, saluting Toichi with the cup.

He's wondering if Toichi will ask the obvious question; how? Because that was no stage magic.]

[Toichi watched, taking the seat when it was offered. He took a sip of the tea.]

Hm, just right.

[For a few moments, he enjoys the cup, all the while looking over the table and Kid.]

...I must say, it's a very impressive magic. I didn't see a hint as to how it was done.

[Oh, he certainly approve. For something that would be 'simply' done, to not see any of the means how it might be done...]

Like real magic.

And therein lies the centre of my existence.

[He gives a genteel smile, sipping his own tea. He is a creature of magic, purely and simply, and has learnt to accept that and live within the widened boundaries it provides.]

No trick, no deceptions. Just my pledge and a continuing prestige.

[The small gestures of his hands, the nod of head... they would have been sweeping gestures and a grand bow onstage. But here, they suffice, to continue the act.]

[He sips his tea again and sets down the cup. He smiles.]

It would make sense.

[He certainly had no reason to not believe real magic existed.]

And it's most befitting of you. Kaitou Kid is the man to make miracles. Now there's no doubt for that.

For me, there never was any doubt at all.

[A light laugh, half breathless-sounding.]

Even from the first time we made our wings and took flight, I knew.

I suppose it would be for you. I am, sadly, a mortal man.

[Smiles.] Even if I did forget that as soon as I had on the monocle.

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