Valdis, Bakura, and Pepper all had different insights into Shadow magic, and to each other. Even if Pepper might technically know more rules and detail, Valdis had dealt with something like this, at first, though she's had longer to learn and accept herself. It doesn't entirely surprise her that Gene is having trouble.

She tips her head to the side, studying her friend. Sometimes it's easier, if she can figure out what he's trying to say so he doesn't have to. "You mean you don't feel like who you were and what you were able to do in your Shadow test still apply?" Accepting Tolui would be difficult if Gene didn't think he was worthy, or if there is something Tolui represented to him that he's struggling with. Hm.

"Scratch that," Pepper decides. "Tell me what you think of when you think of Tolui."