![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
[ it still makes him happy to be thought of; it's only been a week or two, from his point of view, so it's all fresh, having friends, having someone know him and seek him out anyway. That's how he's enduring all of this. ]
... I'll try to meet your expectations.
... I'll try to meet your expectations.
[ that makes him snort disapprovingly. ]
I'm just responsible. You should be grateful.
[ gettin a mop ]
I'm just responsible. You should be grateful.
[ gettin a mop ]
You could act like it once in a while.
[ Belph's diagnosis of him is spot-on, judging by how confidently he's wielding that mop now. This baby is gonna get SO clean. ]
[ Belph's diagnosis of him is spot-on, judging by how confidently he's wielding that mop now. This baby is gonna get SO clean. ]
[ is belph even working ]
You're unbelievable. [ a sigh. ] I'm afraid to know what your room looked like in your world.
You're unbelievable. [ a sigh. ] I'm afraid to know what your room looked like in your world.
Oi. That plate's not clean yet.
[ DON'T PUT IT AWAY MR BARE MINIMUM ]
[ DON'T PUT IT AWAY MR BARE MINIMUM ]
It's the principle of the thing. I was in purgatory for a hundred years, and even I know that.
[ sigh!! he sets the mop aside, then marches over. ]
Give it to me.
[ sigh!! he sets the mop aside, then marches over. ]
Give it to me.
Here. You have to make sure it's actually clean before you put it in the washer. See?
[ now he's cleaning the dish
the plan worked flawlessly ]
[ now he's cleaning the dish
the plan worked flawlessly ]
-- 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?
[ 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?
[ 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. ]
... 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. ]
[ 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. ]
... I can't tell. That's what bothers me.
[ he still doesn't have his witch eye to cheat, either. ]
It's not something I can just stop doing.
[ him being the same old doesn't necessarily inspire confidence!! ]
You're still human. Last time, you were always handling everything yourself. I don't want that to happen again.
[ him being the same old doesn't necessarily inspire confidence!! ]
You're still human. Last time, you were always handling everything yourself. I don't want that to happen again.
[ at that, Hikage just closes his eyes and shakes his head. ]
I'm serious when it comes to you. Someone has to be. [ this isn't going anywhere, though. They should be worrying about Steph right now. ] Whatever. I know you won't listen. Just take care of her.
[ hikage can't do it. ]
... I don't suppose you have any big new ideas after the trial.
I'm serious when it comes to you. Someone has to be. [ this isn't going anywhere, though. They should be worrying about Steph right now. ] Whatever. I know you won't listen. Just take care of her.
[ hikage can't do it. ]
... I don't suppose you have any big new ideas after the trial.
Page 2 of 6