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[ BRO!
Hikage is actually somewhat hard to find these days - he's spending a lot of time in his room - but he does eventually emerge. He's not avoiding people; even if he was, Belph isn't someone he'd want to be avoiding. ]
Belph. What's the matter?
[ something is, this time. ]
Hikage is actually somewhat hard to find these days - he's spending a lot of time in his room - but he does eventually emerge. He's not avoiding people; even if he was, Belph isn't someone he'd want to be avoiding. ]
Belph. What's the matter?
[ something is, this time. ]
[ ah. despite everything, his gaze hardens. here it is: the familiar suspicion and doubt that he deserves. ]
Why do you want to know that?
Why do you want to know that?
[he raises an eyebrow.]
You're being secretive now? You already told me that you're potentially going to wish for everyone here to suffer, dude.
But I'm wondering because someone told me they suspect you of having a role, and I thought I'd give you a heads-up that if that's the case, then you're not being subtle enough about it.
You're being secretive now? You already told me that you're potentially going to wish for everyone here to suffer, dude.
But I'm wondering because someone told me they suspect you of having a role, and I thought I'd give you a heads-up that if that's the case, then you're not being subtle enough about it.
Who told you that?
[ 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. ]
[ 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. ]
No. Just tell me.
[ a beat. ]
Or do you believe in them more than you trust me?
[ a beat. ]
Or do you believe in them more than you trust me?
[ 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.
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.
Then you tell me who they are first.
[ he's unwilling to bend here - to take the first step himself. ]
[ he's unwilling to bend here - to take the first step himself. ]
[ he clicks his tongue at that, and doesn't look surprised. ]
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.
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.
I would have killed him weeks ago if I was that worried about him. But he's interesting to have around.
[ 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.
[ 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.
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.
[ 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?
... [ 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. ]
... Thank you.
[ 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.
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.
He looks at him seriously. ]
Don't die. [ a pause. ] ... Please.
[ 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.
So don't lie to me.
[ his fists clench. ]
... Or if you have to lie, turn your lie into the truth.
[ his fists clench. ]
... Or if you have to lie, turn your lie into the truth.
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