week 3; tuesday ( hikage & shirasu )

[axilium]

[since belph and shirasu never get invited to any sleepovers, clearly the solution is to just have their own.

(mostly, belph is just amused at hikage's plight.)

... in any case, as belph sits down on the bed, he realizes one issue with this whole thing:]

Do you two... know each other at all...?

[hmm.]

Comments

[wagashis]

I'm much more familiar with his partner.

[shirasu, hikage is Right There.

he's perched on the bed as well, already side-eyeing a little; having people here individually is one thing, but he's less sure about this.]

[psychedelica]

[ belph's status is now cemented as the realest bro. Hikage knows this is immature of him - for the umpteenth time, you should be better than this, he thinks - but he needs time for his dignity to recover, and he just really doesn't want to deal with her right now.

So, of course, she's the first thing Shirasu brings up. He sighs. ]

Unlike her, I'm not a social butterfly. [ a beat. ] It's fine. I'll stay out of your way.

[axilium]

[SHIRASU...

all right, so part of belph finds it funny, so he doesn't really care that shirasu is being an asshole. on the other hand, he doesn't need hikage storming out in the middle of night down the line either, so.]

Well, look at it this way: of all the people I could've invited into our room, Hikage's probably one of the least annoying. At least he's smart?

[wagashis]

...mm, I suppose you're right.

[hikage has been pretty helpful at those trials, so he can't be that bad. he's still not relaxing much, although he looks outwardly like he settles in a bit more. you're welcome for the empathy thing belph.

but he turns to hikage there--]

Did you just need a change of scenery, then?

[psychedelica]

[ honestly, he doesn't even think shirasu is being an asshole at all... unlike belph, who is definitely being a little bit of an asshole. he gives him a flat look. ]

What kind of backhanded compliment is that? [ but then the real question comes, and he tugs at his bangs somewhat awkwardly. ] ... I need some time away from her. I'll go talk to her tomorrow when I've figured out what to say.

[axilium]

[yeah, he feels that, partner.]

Oh, can we help?

[wagashis]

Are you two having some sort of trouble...?

[hm. well, he doesn't know hikage well enough to care, but he likes steph enough to have some kind of concern about this, he supposes.]

As he said, we can see what we can do for you.

[psychedelica]

[ do not START, belph. hikage eyes the two of them somewhat warily. ]

No... Yesterday was just weird. The castle did something to me. [ he still doesn't know it was jae-ha ] You can't do anything. Just let me sleep.

[axilium]

Your life sucks, man.

[he pauses.]

... Well, in that case, do you want the bed? Even I'd feel awkward about hogging it with both of you on the floor.

[since shirasu graciously lets him use the bed. probably because he doesn't freaking sleep.]

[wagashis]

Ah, I see. We'll leave it up to you, then; hopefully this place doesn't try to interfere with you again.

[he's not getting off the bed immediately, though, waiting for an answer first-- and also glancing sideways at belph. just keep the bed why let someone who doesn't even live here take it...]

[psychedelica]

We can just split it. I don't really care if it's another guy.

[ how bold, hikage... ]

[axilium]

[it's called being a good host, shirasu!!]

... How bold! I wasn't expecting that from you.

[wagashis]

[he's a good host to people who aren't strangers :/

but okay, okay, he'll give up his spot on the bed there, relocating to-- probably a chair, the rooms should have a chair right, hell if i know what furniture is in here. there's a chair now and it is shirasu's.]

Weren't you? I thought he'd seemed direct enough, before...

[psychedelica]

[ thank you for having his back, shirasu, he likes you 5% more now. Hikage folds his arms. ]

Don't make it weird. If you try anything, I'm kicking you off.

[ a beat. he glances over at the roommate. ]

... Thanks for letting me use the room.

[axilium]

[there's the piano bench!

he holds up his hands, placating.]

Me? Try anything? Never.

[wagashis]

[belph gets a raised brow and a slight grin, a silent are you sure you would never?, before he turns his attention back to hikage and gives him a nod.]

It's no problem at all. I'm only sorry we're not able to do more.

[though he considers for a moment, and then, as if a thought just struck him (it did not, at all)--]

-ah, there is one thing, actually. You should take her on a date when you talk; she informed me she's fond of them.

[what belph is getting here is the kind of anticipation where you aren't certain what's about to happen, but are reasonably sure it's going to be entertaining.]

[psychedelica]

[ the suggestion makes Hikage flinch in surprise, and the gratitude quickly seeps from his expression. Was that on purpose?! ]

No, that wouldn't help. It definitely would make things worse. [ the last thing he needs is for her to think that was all real... ] Besides, there's nowhere to even go on a date here. Where would I take her, the maze with the killer minotaur in it?

[axilium]

[shirasu, you little shit.]

She does seem to get a kick out of danger...

[wagashis]

[he's just trying to find out more about their partnership? it's fine, this is fine.

shirasu hums thoughtfully at hikage's complaints.]

Well, she seemed to think the observatory was a good location, but I suppose that's been done. Maybe just a walk around the grounds? She called them 'a fun way to relax', so perhaps not the maze...

[psychedelica]

... That's been done?

[ what are you talking about dude. they just showed up!! unless... ]

[axilium]

[hell if belph knows what shirasu and steph have been up to, so he's just listening to this (and internally popcorn.gifing).]

[wagashis]

[make your guests bring popcorn next time, belph

but at that he just smiles pleasantly.]

Ah- she asked me on one there yesterday. She was right, it was quite relaxing.

[psychedelica]

[ sorry, belph, but his reaction isn't going to be that exciting... he just looks a little bewildered. ]

She asked you on a date? [ what the fuck ] Is she in love with you?

[ WHAT ARE SHIRASU'S GOOD POINTS... well, he's definitely better than hikage, so he can't fault her there ]

[axilium]

[idk, belph finds this pretty funny.

as evident by him trying to stifle a laugh.]

[wagashis]

['what are shirasu's good points', honestly the most valid question in this thread...

he tilts his head, though, raising a brow as he considers that question.

pretends to consider it, anyway.]

I don't believe so? I wasn't under the impression that it was a requirement for dates, but perhaps that's just something she forgot to mention...

[psychedelica]

[ let hikage live, he's a dumbass. ]

You know what I mean. She's interested in you? She never mentioned that before.

[ for some reason? he looks irritated. ]

[axilium]

Yeah, do tell, Shirasu.

[give him the deets on your love life, partner]

[wagashis]

I don't think that's the sort of thing that's up to me to share...

[ask steph about that one, aka this is me swerving around that thread being ongoing--

but all belph is really getting here is amusement (and maybe a little bit of fondness), no dokis or anything while shirasu's talking about it. it was a nice diversion; that's about all there is to it on his end.]

[psychedelica]

... Whatever. It's not like it matters to me.

[ why doesn't she tell him anything... ]

Maybe you can keep her from getting into trouble all the time.

[axilium]

[poor hikage, he doesn't deserve to be here right now.]

We'll leave it up to you, Shirasu!

[professional babysitter.]

[wagashis]

Don't you think those are high expectations...?

[can literally anyone stop steph from getting into trouble? he really doesn't think so.]

I would think you'd still be more qualified for that, as her partner.

[psychedelica]

She doesn't listen to anything I say. I don't think she trusts me, either. There are a lot of things she isn't telling me. I can tell.

[ Hikage crosses his arms. ]

She'd probably listen to a boyfriend over me.

[axilium]

I agree with Shirasu. Don't sell yourself too short, Hikage. I mean, Steph seems like the type who doesn't listen to anyone, anyway.

[wagashis]

She does.

[why is steph this wayyy.]

But not sharing everything with you doesn't mean she doesn't trust you. People do still take time to open up completely, especially in a place like this, and the two of you are tied. You could stand to have a bit more faith in her.

[psychedelica]

[ tied.. urgh. he came here to get away from her, why are they still talking about her!! hikage hates his life. He just shakes his head with a heavy sigh, ambling towards the bed. ]

Whatever. This is the last thing I want to be talking about...

[axilium]

[sweet summer child.

but belph won't tease hikage too much, so he just lets out a chuckle.]

All right, all right. We won't overload you.

[wagashis]

[alright, fine, they can let hikage live for now.]

Just get some rest for now, then. You can worry about it in the morning.

[psychedelica]

[ he wishes it would be gone in the morning!! it won't be, though. even if the love potion's effects are gone, the effects of what he did aren't.

also, sorry, Belph, but Hikage is a restless sleeper... he'll probably get an elbow in the back or chest a few times. ]