[ 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. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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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.