[ he brushes off the accusation, true as it may be. He's not interested in giving up information without anything in return, especially something that could implicate him - or, more honestly, in this case, potentially turn Belph's opinion against him. ]
[ can he trust in Belph's words? Happiness is so fleeting. He remembers the pleasant warmth of that night, when he was at his lowest point and Belph accepted him, tattered wings and all, but it could easily have been a mirage. Maybe the "real" Belph would turn his back on him. Then he'd die.
The better question is does it matter? He remembers his little sister. ]
... I can tell you. But if I tell you, there's a high chance you'll go back and tell whoever this person is. I only want you to know.
I was only helping because it lined up with my objective. But I've completed that now.
[ and he seems satisfied with its completion. ]
... Now, I can change the tide of the trial whichever way I like. It would be easy for me to implicate someone if I wanted them gone. [ these are probably things he shouldn't be telling Belph, but he feels compelled to do so. Hikage told him what kind of person he was - no, still is. This is a part of him now, too, even if it's ugly. ] I tried to help last week on a whim, but it was useless. I haven't decided what I'll do this week. If I'm not in the Abyss by the weekend.
[ he continues to expect Belph to admonish him for what he's done or tell him he's wrong, and that expectation is continuously not met. Maybe it should be. Hikage knows what he's saying is wrong. It leaves him not knowing what to say next - which is perhaps a better way of deflating his wicked side than anything, in the end. ]
... [ he shakes his head. ] What does The White Rabbit do, anyway?
Huh. [ Alice in Wonderland isn't quite on the radar for him, so he doesn't understand the significance - but he has to agree with Belph's judgement there. ] That sounds useless.
[ and leaves Belph pretty defenseless, on the whole. His defensive posture from before has eased, now; he peers at him again, seeming uncertain, but in a less suspicious and more awkward way. ]
You believe in me. Enough to tell me things like that.
[ that's more than enough cause for thanks. Even if Hikage can't return to the world of the living, he's glad that he got to meet Belph here, though their time together will be brief. He's too proud to apologize for how defensive he was; the least he can do is show gratitude for how receptive Belph was nonetheless.
[ that's not the answer he wants to hear, and he frowns. ]
No. [ for a moment, his hand floats to his hip, where his pistol is still holstered; he considers, very seriously, giving it to Belph. But he hesitates. His face is up on the tapestry this week. His assumption is that makes him a target. A living person's soul is undoubtedly worth far more than his ever could be - Belph deserves to survive more than he does - but Hikage has always been a selfish person. In the end, he's not willing to go that far for him. Not yet. ] If they come for you, kill them before they can kill you. Do you have a weapon?
[ he says the words dismissively... he can't imagine it would be much good in a situation like this, where a good number of people have real weapons. ]
I have a second gun. I'll give it to you. [ a beat. ] It has no bullets, but your opponent doesn't have to know that. Fear can be more than enough.
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[ he brushes off the accusation, true as it may be. He's not interested in giving up information without anything in return, especially something that could implicate him - or, more honestly, in this case, potentially turn Belph's opinion against him. ]
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[ a beat. ]
Or do you believe in them more than you trust me?
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The better question is does it matter? He remembers his little sister. ]
... I can tell you. But if I tell you, there's a high chance you'll go back and tell whoever this person is. I only want you to know.
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Don't worry. I don't plan on saying anything to them.
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[ he's unwilling to bend here - to take the first step himself. ]
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there's a lot he could be gambling on this.]
Akechi.
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I thought so.
[ Ungrateful little beast. Still, Hikage is certain he'd be doing the same thing if he were in Akechi's shoes. ]
... I do have a role. But it's useless. My title is what gives me my power here for the time being.
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[...]
What does it do, or am I not allowed to ask?
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[ he says this without gravity, as if killing Akechi would be the same as swatting a fly, but he continues without missing a beat. ]
I can have any item I want delivered to the trial. [ an almost haughty exhale through his nose. ] Without me, you'd all have failed at least twice.
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[ and he seems satisfied with its completion. ]
... Now, I can change the tide of the trial whichever way I like. It would be easy for me to implicate someone if I wanted them gone. [ these are probably things he shouldn't be telling Belph, but he feels compelled to do so. Hikage told him what kind of person he was - no, still is. This is a part of him now, too, even if it's ugly. ] I tried to help last week on a whim, but it was useless. I haven't decided what I'll do this week. If I'm not in the Abyss by the weekend.
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[he says it wryly, though. there's a lot he could say about that, but he won't bother.]
Well, here's hoping you make it. Who would I tease if you bit it?
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... [ he shakes his head. ] What does The White Rabbit do, anyway?
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I can check the exact time of death of one person each week. Hasn't really helped me out much.
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[ and leaves Belph pretty defenseless, on the whole. His defensive posture from before has eased, now; he peers at him again, seeming uncertain, but in a less suspicious and more awkward way. ]
... Thank you.
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[ that's more than enough cause for thanks. Even if Hikage can't return to the world of the living, he's glad that he got to meet Belph here, though their time together will be brief. He's too proud to apologize for how defensive he was; the least he can do is show gratitude for how receptive Belph was nonetheless.
He looks at him seriously. ]
Don't die. [ a pause. ] ... Please.
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another time, he might've made a flippant remark. but he can feel it gnawing at him, and so...]
You know I can't promise that, Hikage. I thought you hated liars?
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[ his fists clench. ]
... Or if you have to lie, turn your lie into the truth.
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[he pauses, before smiling wryly.]
Try not to miss me too much if anything happens. Your partner still needs you, after all.
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No. [ for a moment, his hand floats to his hip, where his pistol is still holstered; he considers, very seriously, giving it to Belph. But he hesitates. His face is up on the tapestry this week. His assumption is that makes him a target. A living person's soul is undoubtedly worth far more than his ever could be - Belph deserves to survive more than he does - but Hikage has always been a selfish person. In the end, he's not willing to go that far for him. Not yet. ] If they come for you, kill them before they can kill you. Do you have a weapon?
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I have a knife. Shirasu's been teaching me how to use it.
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[ he says the words dismissively... he can't imagine it would be much good in a situation like this, where a good number of people have real weapons. ]
I have a second gun. I'll give it to you. [ a beat. ] It has no bullets, but your opponent doesn't have to know that. Fear can be more than enough.
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