[ 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. ]
[ 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. ]
[ 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.
[ why does it always feel like Steph and Belph are acting like his parents... whatever. Tragically, he likes Belph too much to really brush him off, although his brow is still furrowed in annoyance. ]
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w0, saturday
[ 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?
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Yeah. It'll be rough for a while, but—she'll manage.
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... 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. ]
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Aren't I always?
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... I can't tell. That's what bothers me.
[ he still doesn't have his witch eye to cheat, either. ]
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[ 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.
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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.
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[ mostly before Hikage, but also, like, in general. ]
This probably isn't a surprise, but the dead aren't gone. They're just being held somewhere else. That's all I've learned that's worth anything.
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No. But I don't think the person I heard it from was lying. There's no reason to think the directors are any more trustworthy than her, anyway.
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Are you going to be doing this to me, too? You're such a hypocrite.
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[ hikage does not like sanji ]
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Try to get along with him, would you? Sanji's a lot at first, but he's been a good ally.
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[ that's as good as it's gonna get. ]
He's not good at prioritizing, and the way he acts around women is annoying. If I needed allies, I'd pick someone else.
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I would say that he's great at prioritizing, actually.
[but he's not going to get into all of sanji's issues in grimm, so he moves on.]
Well, it's too bad. Anyone you are getting along with here, at least? Alliances can be useful.
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[ why does it always feel like Steph and Belph are acting like his parents... whatever. Tragically, he likes Belph too much to really brush him off, although his brow is still furrowed in annoyance. ]
Lili seems intelligent.
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Yeah, you two seem like you would be able to tolerate each other.
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[ he pauses, considering Belph for a moment. ]
... I bet she can't tolerate you, though.
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