[ Hikage is definitely not out hunting for company right now, so when Zenitsu finds him, it'll be by chance. He's near the book aisle, where he can often be found, sitting down at the end with a book in his hand (not a shoujo manga, sorry) - but he's very obviously not reading it. Instead, he's got his head in one hand leaning over halfway as if he's dealing with a massive hangover.
It's more likely he has a headache from all the stuff that just happened, but hey. ]
[ No cute stories of a girl meeting a prince tonight. How sad.
Zenitsu is on his way past the aisle when he spots the familiar face. After all that earlier, it's no wonder Hikage has moved somewhere quiet. Zenitsu considers leaving him be, but ultimately enters the aisle, toddling toward the other end with a bandaged eye and neck. ]
[ oh... shoujo kid. He jerks his head up when he's spoken to - he looks tired, and his right eye is still a curious shade of red, glowing just slightly - and although he doesn't relax at the sight of Zenitsu, he's at least grateful it's him and not Shinobu or Guy. ]
If it always hurts, take a painkiller or two, dingus!
But Hikage has been thoroughly chewed out already, and Zenitsu isn't interested in unloading more criticism. It's not like he can talk. At least Hikage did something. ]
[ he was prepared to bite Zenitsu's head off for whatever comment he had coming, but the question is so innocuous that it catches him off guard a little. ]
... I was only there for a few minutes, and I couldn't speak, but we could see each other.
[ the bitterness and hurt are strangely familiar. He remembers seeing them in someone else at the mansion under similar circumstances. Maybe that's why he's reluctant to just agree. ]
Well, you weren't wrong about those tasks strengthening the snake. That's a start, isn't it?
Obviously, I chose him. Without him, we would have died in the castle. And he's trustworthy.
[ Belph is an obvious pick - even over Steph, if only because Belph is a little better about hesitating before rushing in to get injured, at least from Hikage's perspective. He's not going to pretend those are the only reasons; he is going to behave as if they are, because he doesn't want to talk about that now. ]
When we first met, he said that he tended to be unhelpful.
[ Zenitsu's tone as he recalls the words are devoid of belief—even back then, he doubted that that was the case. In fact, it was the other way around, wasn't it? ]
... That's the way he is. He's lazy, contrarian, stubborn, and annoyingly secretive. It's in his interests to say that - then people will leave him alone.
He's also a meddler who can't help but look after people when they get close to him... That's why he's helpful.
[ there's a touch of fondness now - there was before, too, but it's more obvious here, though Hikage can't help but bitterly remember - again - that this is the man he just let down. ]
Him and Stephanie, together. They secretly worked together to gather information about the entire "game" - they're the ones who found out the conditions for us to "win" it, too. Our numbers had to be carefully balanced... Somehow, they pulled it off.
[ they saved him, too, on a more personal level, but Zenitsu didn't ask about that, so he doesn't mention it. ]
[ he really can't relate to this way of thinking... he doesn't know if he's always been like this, or if it's something that was bred into him after years of solitude. ]
[ it's the only way he can repay all the time everyone spent on him. Plus, it's a little embarrassing to write down heartfelt messages to be read any time. ]
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week 5, tuesday night?! yeah
It's more likely he has a headache from all the stuff that just happened, but hey. ]
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Zenitsu is on his way past the aisle when he spots the familiar face. After all that earlier, it's no wonder Hikage has moved somewhere quiet. Zenitsu considers leaving him be, but ultimately enters the aisle, toddling toward the other end with a bandaged eye and neck. ]
Does your head hurt?
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It always hurts. [ grumble. ] What?
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If it always hurts, take a painkiller or two, dingus!
But Hikage has been thoroughly chewed out already, and Zenitsu isn't interested in unloading more criticism. It's not like he can talk. At least Hikage did something. ]
What was it like? Visiting that side.
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... I was only there for a few minutes, and I couldn't speak, but we could see each other.
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[ the pressure must've been immense. and Hikage still managed to get a message across pretty clearly, from the sounds of it. ]
But it must've been nice, being able to see each other again.
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[ and then it ended up being wrong, anyway. Hikage sounds bitter, but there's some hurt in his eyes he can't hide. ]
It was a waste.
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Well, you weren't wrong about those tasks strengthening the snake. That's a start, isn't it?
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[ he could have spent that time doing -- something else. Anything else. There are so many things he wanted to talk to Belph about... ]
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You really care about him, don't you?
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[ it comes out of left field, so he just glances up at Zenitsu, eyes narrowed in suspicion. ]
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[ it's said almost conversationally as he watches a nondescript section of the floor. ]
Well, he's a very helpful guy. Passing information off to someone like him isn't a bad idea.
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[ Belph is an obvious pick - even over Steph, if only because Belph is a little better about hesitating before rushing in to get injured, at least from Hikage's perspective. He's not going to pretend those are the only reasons; he is going to behave as if they are, because he doesn't want to talk about that now. ]
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When we first met, he said that he tended to be unhelpful.
[ Zenitsu's tone as he recalls the words are devoid of belief—even back then, he doubted that that was the case. In fact, it was the other way around, wasn't it? ]
Everyone is always saying otherwise.
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[ he says all of this without flinching... ]
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He seems to find everyone else interesting, though. He was always asking me questions about myself.
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[ there's a touch of fondness now - there was before, too, but it's more obvious here, though Hikage can't help but bitterly remember - again - that this is the man he just let down. ]
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[ these words lack bite. How can one person manage to be so detached yet invested? They're a right wonder, these campers. ]
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[ a heavy sigh... ]
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So how did he save everyone at the castle?
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[ they saved him, too, on a more personal level, but Zenitsu didn't ask about that, so he doesn't mention it. ]
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That's why she said communication is so important.
[ even if it was in secret, those two were working with each other. ]
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You're still talking about the castle, right?
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What do you think?
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You're right. It always is.
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Are you going to send letters, boy?
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There's information we have to share.
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If it gives everyone there a chance of their own, that's what I'll do.
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Try not to regret that.
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I wouldn't know what to say, anyway.
Are you going to send letters?
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Of course I am. [ ... ] There's a lot I need to say.
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[ he looks wistfully up at the ceiling. ]
It sounds like you have people who care a lot about you over there.