week 3; saturday ( stephanie )

[axilium]

[there are so many things belph could say right now, but he's going to start off with his first and foremost concern.]

Why the hell did you do that.

Comments

[vigilantics]

I don't know.

[ it's said with a shrug. ]

[axilium]

[...

belph just presses a hand against his face and groans.]

[vigilantics]

Actually, that's a lie. I do know, it was just... kind of a selfish move on my part.

[ she does at least sound apologetic. ]

[axilium]

... You can't afford to die, Steph

[something in his voice sounds desperate.]

[vigilantics]

[ that actually takes her off guard, and her gaze shifts from belph to the ground. ]

I won't.

[axilium]

Then don't pull off stunts like this!

[vigilantics]

... maybe they'll just break my other leg. It might not be that bad actually.

[ natsuo's punishment wasn't too terrible, when he did it. ]

[axilium]

Yeah, but I don't get the feeling you did it because "it might not be that bad".

[and breaking a leg is still pretty bad?? honestly, he's just. so frustrated with her, but the exact reasons why delve into territory he'd rather not touch.]

[vigilantics]

It made me feel like I have control over something for once. I know I didn't do it, so I voted for myself.

[ she looks at him again. ]

I don't think I could ever forgive myself otherwise. It was selfish, like I said.

[axilium]

[...

he has to take a moment to compose himself—just briefly, it feels like he can't breathe—before he manages to respond.]

... I guess that's the way you are, yes.

[vigilantics]

You probably should have gotten stuck with someone else for this gig.

[ someone who might do less stupid stunts. because she can't say she regrets placing that vote for herself, but she does regret making him worry. ]

[axilium]

... Don't talk like that either.

[she doesn't understand at all, does she? well, of course she doesn't. belph's been intensely private for that specific purpose. ha. ha.]

[vigilantics]

[ steph has discovered something, and it's that she, apparently, can't actually handle belph being upset. ]

... sorry. [ a pause, and then her next words are said more firmly. ] I'll be okay. They can't hurt me.

[ well, they can, but the way she says it makes it seem like something she genuinely believes. ]

[axilium]

[... he wants so badly to have faith in that. but the last person he believed in—who he thought could do anything—failed, in the end. he had to take matters into his own hands.

a miracle is a miracle because it rarely occurs.

he smiles, though his heart isn't in it.]

... Let's hope so. I mean, you've got to look after Hikage, right?

[vigilantics]

You really do always bring him up.

[ normally she would make some sort of comment about belph trying to set them up or something. she doesn't though, not now. ]

I care about him. But there are other people I care about too, you know.

[axilium]

Then look after yourself first. You can't do anything if you're locked up or constantly injured.

[vigilantics]

I haven't gotten injured in an entire week.

[ it's a joke, but it's said weakly. ]

[axilium]

Do you want a gold star for that?

[vigilantics]

I do actually. Make one for me?

[axilium]

That's a cruel request, considering we have no paper.

[vigilantics]

You're a smart guy, Belph. You can figure something out.

[axilium]

Is that a dare?

[vigilantics]

Yup! So if you don't do it you get a penalty.

[axilium]

Dare I ask what that might be?

[vigilantics]

Uh, no?

Then you could prepare for it.

[axilium]

Darn.

[vigilantics]

You can't bargain with me, Belph.

[axilium]

Hey, it was worth a shot.

[vigilantics]

... yeah, good attempt. A for effort.