Kade drags Val outside, down the street from where the game background cuts off.
Val peers through a boarded-up window, framed by a dark void.
Kade stops not far away.
Kade: “What’s your mom’s name?” Seriously?
Val, shrugging: It’s a valid question! I wasn’t asking for a maiden name.
Kade, frustrated: You know Rudy’s not gonna react well to all that prodding.
Val: I do?
Kade is dumbfounded.
Kade: See, this is what I’m talking about. What’s gotten into you lately? Is it something about $joker?
Kade: S/He’s been feeling pretty awkward about this, to say the least.
Val: Oh, no, new person’s fine! Better than fine, actually. I’d love to get to know them more.
Kade, matter-of-factly: You do not have a thing for him/her.
Val, amused: All right, mind-reader, what’s the point of this talk? Since you know me so well.
Kade: That’s the problem. I know you’ve been stressed about something the past couple days and I have no idea what.
Kade, hesitantly: And…
…even though we’re not super close, whatever’s on your mind…
I’m here if you need to talk, you know?
Val is genuinely surprised.