Eventually he forces himself to focus, and successfully puts thoughts of Sadde out of mind.

And soon the familiar environment appears, with the cards floating and their real forms floating behind them. Kero’s magic is recognisable, as is Sadde’s—they’re very similar, and very distinct, in a strange way. And nothing else, for a while.

Until there’s something. A flash of light, somewhere in the distance, of fire.

It seems to be similar to Kero and Sadde's magic, in a weird sort of way, and so it doesn't startle Theo that it's fire. He keeps focusing on it, trying to get a location more precise than "approximately that way".

Eventually he does. It doesn't get more precise than "exactly that way, approximately that far away," but Google Maps should be enough to determine any missing details probably maybe.

He stops meditating, pulls up a map on his phone and locates the approximate area, and hands it over to Sadde for him to peruse.

Then he quickly gets changed, because they're going out to find a card, probably running about while attacking it. Now is not the time.

He watches Theo get changed, and has to resist an urge to attack him again. Park. The card's in a park. Right. "So... do we go through the window or what?"

"Um. It's not too late right now, so we can try going out the normal way? I don't think he'll be too concerned..."

"Your father's pretty cool, huh. And I should probably text Mum about it." So he grabs his phone and does just that.

"Well, I mean, we can just pretend to be going for a walk..." he says, blushing a little.

"A walk. That makes you blush. You're adorable." Ding! Message. "Mum's asking if we know anything more about the card?"

That just makes him blush more.

"Uh, it felt kinda like you and Kero? Sorta like fire. ... Which is concerning, now that I think about it."

"Hmm, could be one of the Firey cards..." He texts Laura this, then sighs. "Mum's coming with. Guess it's time to introduce you."

"Oh. Okay."

"I texted her the address, she'll meet us there in half an hour. Let's go?"

"Yeah. Okay," he says, moving to go downstairs.

Sadde follows!

So does Kero.

Theo's dad is still in the kitchen when they get down there.

"Hey, Dad. Sadde and I are gonna go, um, go for a walk, if that's okay?" Theo asks, trying to sound nonchalant and totally not blushing.

"Oh, ok. Don't get back too late, though," his dad responds.

... And that's apparently it. Theo goes outside and starts moving in the direction of the park from the map, walking in step with Sadde.

And Sadde takes Theo's hand.

Theo grins in response. Is it clear how much he likes Sadde? He thinks it's clear.

"You were bluuuuuushiiiiing!"

Theo tries to explain why, but just makes a sort of stuttering "uh" noise, then blushes more.

"So eloquent."

He laughs at that. "Yeah, I know."

He seems content to just walk leisurely, hand in Sadde's. Are they aiming to get to the park anytime soon? Theo might need some prompting.

Sadde might pull him to walk faster if he thinks they're taking too long.