it takes some time, but at some point, belph will be seeking hikage out, carrying two cups of tea. it doesn't surprise him to find hikage doing much of nothing.]
[... ha. he honestly doesn't know what to do with this. people usually aren't so vulnerable around him. he's not exactly known for being a nice guy, after all.]
Even if I'm chosen to be a Blotter... you still wouldn't be anywhere near the top of my list.
[not that he has a literal list, as he'd actually rather not think about killing people.]
[ There's been a knot in his chest for years, tightening and tightening - now, for the first time, he feels it loosen, and something like relief flows through his veins, cooling and calming. Maybe this is peace. It's different from the rush he would feel when his plans came together, when the clueless fools wandering his manor would fall into his trap and turn on one another - that triumph lasted only a moment, and his pain would always return soon after. This emotion feels safe. Comfortable. How long has it been since he felt this way?
It's such a simple thing. It might not even count as an admission of friendship or trust. But Hikage is clearly moved; he feels his eyes prickle, and he turns back down to his teacup. ]
Heh heh... [ shyly, almost, he's hiding his face, but he's clearly smiling. ] I hate liars, so you'd better not go back on your word.
[suffice to say this is absolutely not how belph expected his night to go or a side of hikage he expected to see. (he also won't comment on the irony of hikage hating liars.)
instead, he smiles.]
... I'm not usually known for doing that. [...] You really haven't had any friends, have you?
[because this has been an incredibly bizarre way of getting to know someone.]
[ it's not ironic because hikage hates himself too... he's aware. ]
When I was alive... Well, I don't remember anyone like that. I had my sister. [ family probably doesn't count. god knows the rest of them couldn't stand him - the bastard son. ] In the manor, I only had servants. At first, I tried talking to the other souls, but they would all disappear sooner or later.
[ it became more satisfying to him to manipulate them in entertaining ways than to try and form any real connections with them; after all, they'd just end.
but also, in other words, no, he hasn't had any friends. ]
[ now he looks embarrassed, and he pointedly takes a drink from the tea. It's cooled off significantly by now - still, Hikage feels oddly warm inside. This situation is hellish, without a doubt; his existence could be snuffed out at any moment. He doesn't want to go back to the other manor, and he doesn't want to return to his old life, either, knowing what he does now. He doesn't know what the future holds for him.
But for now... he thinks he's happy, just a little. ]
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Even if I'm chosen to be a Blotter... you still wouldn't be anywhere near the top of my list.
[not that he has a literal list, as he'd actually rather not think about killing people.]
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It's such a simple thing. It might not even count as an admission of friendship or trust. But Hikage is clearly moved; he feels his eyes prickle, and he turns back down to his teacup. ]
Heh heh... [ shyly, almost, he's hiding his face, but he's clearly smiling. ] I hate liars, so you'd better not go back on your word.
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instead, he smiles.]
... I'm not usually known for doing that. [...] You really haven't had any friends, have you?
[because this has been an incredibly bizarre way of getting to know someone.]
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When I was alive... Well, I don't remember anyone like that. I had my sister. [ family probably doesn't count. god knows the rest of them couldn't stand him - the bastard son. ] In the manor, I only had servants. At first, I tried talking to the other souls, but they would all disappear sooner or later.
[ it became more satisfying to him to manipulate them in entertaining ways than to try and form any real connections with them; after all, they'd just end.
but also, in other words, no, he hasn't had any friends. ]
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This honestly explains a lot about your people skills.
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[ let him live, Belph... ]
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[ now he looks embarrassed, and he pointedly takes a drink from the tea. It's cooled off significantly by now - still, Hikage feels oddly warm inside. This situation is hellish, without a doubt; his existence could be snuffed out at any moment. He doesn't want to go back to the other manor, and he doesn't want to return to his old life, either, knowing what he does now. He doesn't know what the future holds for him.
But for now... he thinks he's happy, just a little. ]
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You think everything is making fun of you, man...
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[ you untrustworthy otome gremlin! why did he put his affection here... ]
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[he absolutely can, and that's a very good question, hikage...]