MEMORY: lessons with lupin.

[alcahest]

YOU LIVE UP TO YOUR REPUTATION, LUPIN.

And so, I follow Lupin into a forest.

LUPIN

Until today, I've been teaching you what it means to escape artfully, but today I'll ask for a compilation of techniques.

CARDIA

Compilation...? What are we going to do?

LUPIN

We're going to play tag. It's a game of chase. I'll chase after you, and you run.
If you can avoid me until lunch, you win.

CARDIA

That sounds fun.

LUPIN

Hey hey, this isn't just for fun. It's serious.
I'm going to count to 20, so start running.

CARDIA

I'm going to run for real.

LUPIN

I'll close my eyes while I count.
Now, go!

As soon as Lupin closes his eyes, I start running.
I go into the trees to get some distance, then change direction and backtrack.
Lupin has taught me that it's important to take unexpected actions when escaping.
I intentionally make loud steps to make it obvious which way I'm running, then silence my steps and run in the opposite direction.
Lupin had already taught me how to run at speed while staying quiet.
I hide in the shadows and look around.
... Good, nobody here.
If I hide here, I can probably hold out for a while—
—!
Footsteps are heading directly towards me.
Did he find me already...? How?
The footsteps draw closer.
I look out from the bushes towards them...
And I meet the eyes of Lupin, looking at me. He smirks.
He knows exactly where I am...!
I push the brush aside and start to run.
But... I can tell that Lupin is close behind me.
This is impossible! I'll never be able to outrun Lupin!