[ By the time Furina catches up with him, it hardly feels sufficient to say he feels raw. He's felt the gaping jaws of despair, the wings of hope, and everything in between this evening, but now that he's come off the high of choosing a new direction for himself, the schemer within him is already calculating, considering plans, laying out possibilities. No doubt the sense of dramatic irony that injects itself into his life will find a way to twist his wish if he lets it, so better to take every measure to ensure a guaranteed win.

It need not be a true gamble to not still be thrilling.

It seems Furina understands his line of thinking, too, and so when she approaches, he greets her with a weary smile, but one that finds its way to his eyes just a little bit more easily. Already, what Shoko and Yi Sang told him is proving to be true.

He really doesn't have to face this on his own, anymore. ]

...I may just need to take you up on that. Getting away from those who will be after me will be no small feat. And you know what they say...be careful what you wish for.

[ A tilt of his head. ]

What do you intend to do when all this is over, Miss Furina?