hikage.

[axilium]

something will go here later

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w0, monday.

[axilium]

['sup, buddy.]

Hey, Hikage. Come with me for a sec.

[psychedelica]

[ his metaphorical stomach has settled a little bit now that he's out of the bus and has his bearings more; he's used enough to unwilling captivity that he's mostly numb to it after hundreds of years, and at least this place is outside. His only real lingering concern is for his sister.

And, of course for Steph and the man approaching him now, as well -- but at least he's here to watch out for them. His expression brightens unconsciously when Belph approaches. ]

Oh, Belph. [ a nod. ] Good timing. What do you need?

[axilium]

Let's go to the kitchen.

[psychedelica]

[ sigh. ]

Just ask me normally if you're hungry.

[ but he's got nothing better to do, so ok. ]

[axilium]

Nah, not this time. But I'll keep in mind the offer for later.

[off to the kitchen they go...]

[psychedelica]

... Then what? Did you find something?

[ he assumes that Belph isn't just inviting him to hang out because he still has 0 self-esteem ]

[axilium]

Wow, dude. You're not very into reading, are you? But nope!

w0, saturday

[psychedelica]

-- Belph.

[ by now, it's probably decently late, and Hikage is by the bonfire - sitting, at first, but when he sees Belph, he gets to his feet, an ominous black silhouette in his cloak against the flame. But there's nothing menacing at all in his expression; despite the hour, he doesn't look tired, and his brow is furrowed with concern.

He could ask if Belph is okay. That's the "normal" thing to do. But he knows Belph will shrug it off if he does, and he doesn't know if the pleasant intent ever reaches past the surface when it comes to him. ]

Have you talked to Stephanie yet?

[axilium]

[...]

Yeah. It'll be rough for a while, but—she'll manage.

[psychedelica]

[ that makes him visibly relax, although he's still worried. ]

... That's good. I haven't seen her, so I was worried.

[ it's good Belph is here for her. Hikage might be her friend, but he's well aware that he's a huge source of stress, too. Belph, on the other hand -- well, he can't imagine Belph's any good at comforting people, but he's good at making her happy, at least. ]

You? Are you... managing? [ his compromise. ]

[axilium]

[he just smiles.]

Aren't I always?

[psychedelica]

[ Hikage sighs, folding his arms. He could get annoyed - he feels a little annoyed, to be sure - but instead, he just frowns, glancing off. ]

... I can't tell. That's what bothers me.

[ he still doesn't have his witch eye to cheat, either. ]

[axilium]

I'm the same old, Hikage. Don't worry about me.

w1 sunday

[psychedelica]

[ he's easier to find when he's playing piano, that's for sure. It's hard to miss the sound when you're in the dormitory area. Normally, Hikage would knock; this time, he doesn't, for fear of interrupting Belph's playing.

The skill seems so at odds with the rest of Belph's personality - maybe that's part of why Hikage enjoys it. It's rare, to get a peek at anything genuine under the mask. ]

... It sounds good, as usual. [ naturally, he waits until Belph finishes whatever he's playing before speaking up. ] Stress relief...?

[axilium]

[...]

Can't a guy have a hobby without some deeper meaning?

[psychedelica]

Relax. I was just asking. You're so shady that it's hard to imagine you having regular hobbies.

[ inviting himself in now, because of course he is. ]

... You really didn't get hurt by that bear? How did you pull that off?

[axilium]

My ability, remember?

[psychedelica]

So...? You made a gun to fight it off?

[ it's always guns with him ]

[axilium]

There are a lot more solutions in life than just shooting your problem, Hikage.

w6 sunday morning..... we really only had two pcs huh :pensive:

[psychedelica]

-- Belph.

[ wherever he can find Belph tomorrow, Hikage is doing so. If he was a little tougher, he would have done this yesterday; if he was a little more generous, he wouldn't be doing it at all. But, as things stand, Hikage is a weak, selfish man; that hasn't changed, and even death hasn't wrung it out of him, neither the first time nor this one. What it did do was give him more time to think. He looks somewhat uneasy as he approaches, but he's doing his best not to show it. ]

I need to talk to you. In private.

:pensive:

[axilium]

... Well, that's concerning. What's up?

[psychedelica]

Don't be concerned. I'm not going to do anything.

[ uhh. how does he start. Once he's dragged Belph off to the side somewhere, he's quiet for a second, scratching at his hair awkwardly. ]

... Uh. You and Stephanie... whatever happens, I don't care. I'm not jealous of you or anything like that. As long as I can still talk to both of you, then the rest doesn't matter. Even though I hate losing. [ a sigh. ] That's the first thing. I thought you should know that. Maybe you already did.

[axilium]

[...]

Uh, cool, but you realize that she and I aren't dating, right? And will not be for at least probably several months at minimum, so you have plenty of time to... not lose, or whatever.

[psychedelica]

[ he gives Belph a look. ]

I'm not stupid. Even my ego isn't so big that I can't see the obvious choice.

[ so...... that's that. Unless something else happens. Something else that, apparently, everyone around them thinks is obvious, and which Hikage is also here to talk about. Kind of. Obliquely. He shifts on his feet. ]

... Whatever. That's not the point. I don't know if she's going to choose, anyway... [ He pinches the bridge of his nose, closing his eyes. ] To be honest, lately, I... No, nevermind. How do you see me, Belph? Am I your rival?

[axilium]

... What? Why would I see you as a rival? Have you missed the part where I'm not trying to date Steph?