[ a night has passed, and Hikage got some sleep. Not a lot, but some. Saying he felt better would be going too far, but he at least feels less like he's about to wring someone's neck (maybe his own.) He tries to head for the food court when he thinks no one will be there - he's not in the mood to ply anyone's worries or worse, listen to their criticisms - but, to his irritation, there's Giyuu. Inoffensive enough on his own, but Hikage knows he's Shinobu's lackey. ]
...
[ he just looks at him for a second before going to get a slice of pizza ]
[ people finding him offensive is nothing new to him, but hikage's got something coming if he thinks that he's shinobu's lackey. they work together but she's not without fault. ...not that he had anything to say about the argument that happened between the two of them.
he doesn't care what happens between them as long as they get things accomplished. now, if hikage got in the way of the cathering—then he would have more things to say. nevertheless, he'll give hikage a look for a moment before walking over. ]
[ in hikage's mind, he's her lackey... he looks over his shoulder at him as he picks up some napkins, obviously expecting the worst from whatever conversation is about to happen. ]
[ it's a good thing that giyuu isn't going to give him anything to fuss about. ]
Wisdom?
[ oh. right. the argument about hastely using his item or something like that where shinobu nearly stabbed him? minako had to step in and they both went their separate ways, he remembers that much. ]
No. [ plainly. ] Whatever Kocho and you spoke about doesn't have to concern with me. Unless you think there's something I should be concerned about.
[ there's a pause as he tries to gauge where Giyuu is going with this line of questioning - but, as usual, Giyuu's expression gives absolutely nothing away. At least the neutrality is more palatable to him than the pushy do-gooder attitude certain others have approached him with; that's why Hikage decides it's fine to talk a little. It's not going to be used against him to try and pry into his heart. ]
Belph saved me. If it weren't for him, there would be no "Hikage." This is the least I can do for him.
[ ... less than the least, really, since he's failed him again - first by dying, then by misinforming him. Hikage's brows knit together a little tighter. ]
[ hikage's response goes without a reply for a moment as giyuu thinks about why he just heard. obviously he doesn't know all of the details nor would he ever care to know them unless hikage gave them out willingly, but he will think of it in relation to him. to have someone who rescued you in some way... for him back home, the best way for anyone to thank him was to preform well.
coming here though— ]
It's a good way of thinking. [ not that hikage needed his approval, but giyuu will still acknowledge him. ] Paying him back for saving you like this.
[ simply: ]
Hopefully there will be other ways we can help them in the coming days.
... I'll find a way. Nothing has changed, even if she thinks she can intimidate me.
[ he just has to be more careful - that's all. He'll work with the others as needed, but his communications with Belph and Steph are his alone. That's what he believes. ]
[ normally, this kind of thing would irritate him - it would feel patronizing - but Giyuu is so neutral that he doesn't feel too offended. He moves to sit down with his pizza slice, crossing one leg, but he continues to regard Giyuu. ]
Why are you still here? Just to watch? [ he tilts his head slightly. ] That woman's not your friend. So who are you fighting for?
I'm told that it's good to talk to people just to talk to them—if you want to get to know them.
[ he'll join hikage at the table, and give them comfortable space to converse. that might not be the question that hikage was asking, but well... ]
Back where I'm from, I'm a Pillar; they are someone who is meant to shoulder the burdens of others who are unable to stand on their own and to protect them.
[ it's a point that will never change. there are no literal demons here for him to slay but there are people here that he can support. perhaps not emotionally but certainly in other ways. ]
It's the same here, however I do have some people who are above others.
[ that is not what Hikage was asking, and judging by his expression, he was about to get on Giyuu's case for it; luckily, though, Giyuu continues, so he doesn't have to. ]
You could be better at your job. [ blunt, as ever, but there sure are a lot of dead wimps in here. ] Duty, then. That suits you.
[ giyuu just nods at hikage's assessment. he hasn't done a good job has he? he has started the motions of getting more of them more organized and work closer together to figure things out but it's not just about that. ]
I'm not the best in supporting people in the way they might need me here.
[ he means emotions. it's hard to emotionally support if you struggle with basic conversation. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
week 5, wednesday
...
[ he just looks at him for a second before going to get a slice of pizza ]
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he doesn't care what happens between them as long as they get things accomplished. now, if hikage got in the way of the cathering—then he would have more things to say. nevertheless, he'll give hikage a look for a moment before walking over. ]
Hikage.
[ will he speak to him or will he move? ]
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Are you here to share your "wisdom," too?
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Wisdom?
[ oh. right. the argument about hastely using his item or something like that where shinobu nearly stabbed him? minako had to step in and they both went their separate ways, he remembers that much. ]
No. [ plainly. ] Whatever Kocho and you spoke about doesn't have to concern with me. Unless you think there's something I should be concerned about.
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[ he remarks with a sort of dull surprise. ]
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We're not friends.
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You spend a lot of time together to not be friends.
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We're from the same world and work together.
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So you're her minion.
[ he has decided who wears the pants in this relationship. ]
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I'm not her minion. We're equals.
[ do pillars have ranks within themselves? no. ]
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[ he's still feeling annoyed, especially since she got under his skin... ]
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does giyuu envy himself? that's a strange thing to say but hm..... ]
You were really bothered by what she said.
[ it's a statement because, well, he is never really bothered by what people say about him. it's probably the best thing about him? ]
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[ that's not all but it's fine ]
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[ he says as someone who ignored her in the past. these days though? hm. ]
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[ hmmm. ]
You're truly motivated to do well for that person, aren't you?
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[ there's a pause as he tries to gauge where Giyuu is going with this line of questioning - but, as usual, Giyuu's expression gives absolutely nothing away. At least the neutrality is more palatable to him than the pushy do-gooder attitude certain others have approached him with; that's why Hikage decides it's fine to talk a little. It's not going to be used against him to try and pry into his heart. ]
Belph saved me. If it weren't for him, there would be no "Hikage." This is the least I can do for him.
[ ... less than the least, really, since he's failed him again - first by dying, then by misinforming him. Hikage's brows knit together a little tighter. ]
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coming here though— ]
It's a good way of thinking. [ not that hikage needed his approval, but giyuu will still acknowledge him. ] Paying him back for saving you like this.
[ simply: ]
Hopefully there will be other ways we can help them in the coming days.
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[ he just has to be more careful - that's all. He'll work with the others as needed, but his communications with Belph and Steph are his alone. That's what he believes. ]
I'll make up for it.
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I believe that you will.
[ he'll see your resolve hikage even if you've made some missteps. ]
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You don't have to believe. Just watch me.
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Alright. I'll be sure to watch you as well then.
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[ normally, this kind of thing would irritate him - it would feel patronizing - but Giyuu is so neutral that he doesn't feel too offended. He moves to sit down with his pizza slice, crossing one leg, but he continues to regard Giyuu. ]
Why are you still here? Just to watch? [ he tilts his head slightly. ] That woman's not your friend. So who are you fighting for?
[ not what - who. It's always a who. ]
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[ he'll join hikage at the table, and give them comfortable space to converse. that might not be the question that hikage was asking, but well... ]
Back where I'm from, I'm a Pillar; they are someone who is meant to shoulder the burdens of others who are unable to stand on their own and to protect them.
[ it's a point that will never change. there are no literal demons here for him to slay but there are people here that he can support. perhaps not emotionally but certainly in other ways. ]
It's the same here, however I do have some people who are above others.
[ he'll look at his hands instead of hikage. ]
Some are in here with me.
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You could be better at your job. [ blunt, as ever, but there sure are a lot of dead wimps in here. ] Duty, then. That suits you.
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I'm not the best in supporting people in the way they might need me here.
[ he means emotions. it's hard to emotionally support if you struggle with basic conversation. ]
I'll do what I can, though.
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You're hardly the only one with that problem.
[ he's also terrible at supporting people, but it's fine. He's working on it!! ]
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this is going to sound weird. actually he'll make a face the entire time he says it. ]
It's why we learn from one another.
[ is... does he believe his own words? who knows...? ]
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... Are you reciting that line from somewhere?
[ yeah, he notices the face. ]
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[ HE'S NOT EVEN GONNA HIDE IT. ]
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That kind of cheesy motivational stuff is even less convincing when it's coming from a guy like you.
[ his tone isn't particularly biting, at least... ]
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We do need to work together.