"So, everything I told you was true. And the ghost lady was actually Windy, the wind card. Kero, this is William, Theo's dad." He looks at William. "William, Theo's dad, that's Kero."

"...hello."

William laughs, again, still incredulous. "You're kidding me, right?"

"Nnnope. They apparently will cause a catastrophe." He rolls his eyes. "Oh, and I'm apparently some sort of Chosen One. Woo!"

"Inasmuch as Kero chose you, because you caused all the cards to be scattered."

"Still a Chosen One," he says. "Woo."

"So you're not kidding me?"

He turns to the bear. "Aaand why exactly did you pick a teenage boy to help prevent a catastrophe?"

"Because he was the one who caused the catastrophe!"

"… Why did you pick him as the main person to help prevent a catastrophe? Surely someone else would be – no offence, Theo – better suited? Such as, perhaps, an adult? Or someone with training in stunts like this?"

"Because he had magic and could open the Clow Book, which means he was worthy."

"Worthy," repeats William, sighing. "And do you have a more precise definition than that? Any idea why he could open the book, maybe?"

Theo leans forward and says, "Pretty sure he doesn't. Just saying," then leans back again.

He also feels like sighing.

He shrugs. "I don't know, Clow never told me."

Theo raises his hands as if to say, 'See? What did I tell you. Ugh.'

"Okay."

He purses his lips and seems to be thinking.

"If Theo's magic, does that mean I am too? Is it hereditary?"

"Coulda got it from mum," says Theo.

His dad tilts his head, agreeing with that, and then says, "But anyway – is there a way to check?"

"Theo can meditate."

He raises an eyebrow. "Meditate?"

"Yep," says Theo, sounding super enthusiastic about it. "Meditation is super fun."

(That was sarcastic, if it wasn't clear.)

"I mean, I can try doing it now? You guys can just talk or whatever while I try to not-sleep."

"Theo can meditate and figure magical things out when he does. I actually can too but it's boring."

Theo rolls his eyes. "It's boring so we let Theo do it. Gee, thanks."

But despite the complaining, he does actually shut his eyes, with the staff there in front of him, and try to meditate.

"It's also much harder for me, without the staff and stuff," he says, shrugging.

Still meditating.

Theo's dad nods but opts not to say anything – he doesn't want to disturb the meditation, and he doesn't know what sort of conditions it typically requires.