psychedelica | (no subject)

(no subject)

[ he's not exactly thrilled to go talk to Eichi again. It's been a long time since they actually chatted outside of a trial; on top of that, Hikage is fairly certain he's going to be torn up about Natsuo, and he's terrible at comforting people. But he feels like he should talk to him. About one thing in particular - one person, actually.

So he'll be knocking on Eichi's door. He doesn't know where else to find him!! Hopefully, it's not Akechi opening up. ]

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[He is completely torn up about Natsuo— but he'd done all his crying and yelling when he thought Natsuo died the first time. This time, with the reality of it, he's disturbingly calm, opening the door and tilting his head to one side.]

Ah, it's Hikage-kun? Are you at the right door?

[ why are all the people Hikage talks to in a weird state of murder zen right now?! Well, whatever. It makes them easier to talk to. The question makes him sigh. ]

I wouldn't make that kind of mistake. [ he's a perfectionist. ] I wanted to talk to you. Do you have time?

Of course.

[It's odd, and that's all the more reason to listen. He opens his door the rest of the way, allowing Hikage inside. It's just him, right now!]

How can I help you?

[ he'll take that invitation, thank you, although he doesn't take a seat anywhere. ]

It's about Akechi. [ of course it is. ] Even though he's innocent this week, people are probably going to vote for him. He signed his death warrant last week.

I'm well aware of that.

[He's calm, on the surface, but there's some anger under there. It's in the way he smiles.]

However, the one we find to be Natsuo-kun's killer should be the one voted for. It's a worse crime, don't you think? Or, what is your point, exactly?

Exactly.

[ a pause; he folds his arms. ]

... I have a vested interest in finding the right culprit. I don't want people to vote for Akechi.

Ah... that's a relief to hear.

[~~he might have had to do something, otherwise~~ no just kidding he's pure and his smile is more calm now.]

Then what do you suggest we do? "Work hard," I suppose?

I want you to leverage your position as his partner if things start heading that way. Even if they hate Akechi, you haven't given them any reason to want to kill you. Most of the people here are too soft-hearted to make you a casualty just because of their grudge.

I tried that the last time, you know? People didn't hesitate to continue showing him anger.

However... it's true that Natsuo-kun didn't have a partner himself, anymore. So are you saying my death would be certain, and to use that?

Exactly.

[ he doesn't know exactly how this game works, but he doubts there's any chance of Eichi being saved this time. ]

On top of that... Last time was different. They knew - or thought they knew, anyway - that he was one of the people they'd been looking for for hours. This time, he'd just be taking the fall for someone else. Their feelings shouldn't be as strong.

[ hikage is very calm and matter-of-fact about all of this. it almost sounds like he's used to thinking about people this way. ]

You know, Hikage-kun... I already intended to do something like that from the start.

But why is it that you care so strongly? "Justice?"

[ his opinion of Eichi isn't terribly high, so he wanted to go talk to him and make sure... sorry, buddy.

There's a slight twitch in Hikage's face at the mention of his reasoning. ]

Don't be ridiculous. There isn't any "justice" in a place like this. [ a pause. He sighs. ] It has to do with my role.

[Oh— Hikage continues to be surprising. Eichi looks genuinely shocked, tilting his head a little at the admission.]

Your role? How does it relate to something like that?

Why should I tell you that?

You already came here in concern, requesting my help. If I'm aiding in a cause, shouldn't I know what that is?

If you really would like, I'll tell you something about my own place in things in return. An exchange, if you will.

[ there's a few seconds of silence while Hikage weighs the pros and cons of this in his head, whatever they might be. He still doesn't trust Eichi further than he can throw him, but... there's probably no harm in this. ]

... I need to identify three culprits correctly.

You, personally? Or is it that you just have to aid in the trial that leads to the correct solving of them?

I mean to ask, would this be your third?

I assume that it's personal. But I've never voted wrong so far.

[ he's good at this game, dammit. ]

So yes, it would be.

That's not a bad goal at all. It's quite heroic, isn't it? And you'll be rewarded...

[Hmm.] I'm not someone who goes back on my word, so I'll share something about myself, now. Before that, though, I assume it goes without saying that neither of us will share this information with anyone, right?

A shared secret, between us two?

Obviously. You should feel lucky that I even told you.

[ the only other people who know are people he feels he can trust... ]

I do feel lucky. It's why I offered a bargaining chip such as this, that I've only shared with people I trust the very most.

[And now one of them is dead! Even though, he thought this was natural.]

My gift is super strength.

... Really? I haven't heard about any roles like that.

[ roles that could physically change your abilities? weird. ]

It's true. It was quite exciting at the time, but when I realized I couldn't share it and show off due to how it could create me as a target for various things, I was forced to stay quiet.

I could show you now, if you'd like.

Show me. Pick me up.

[ he suggests this entirely because he knows his own weight hasn't been modified in any way, not because he wants Eichi to pick him up. Don't take it the wrong way!! ]

Very well. ♪

[Well, hope he likes being princess carried! Eichi bends down to scoop him up and does so with no effort at all.]

Hmm, as I thought, there's no issue at all.

[ kyaa kyaa eichi-kun...

just kidding, that doesn't happen, but Hikage does look fairly surprised at how easily Eichi picks him up. He's a pretty slight boy. This is convincing enough for him. ]

Y-you weren't kidding. [ this is weird, put him down. ] Have you used it for anything?

[He's not putting him down yet.]

Hmm, well, I did break off part of the well when I was upset. After that, it felt as if my entire body caught on fire from the inside, so I had to stop there.

[He tosses Hikage up just slightly and catches him again. Fun!!] Are you impressed?

Gah--!!

[ he makes probably the most undignified noise to come out of his mouth so far when Eichi throws him up, even just a little. ]

Don't do that! Just put me down already, I believe you!

[Eichi chuckles, but shifts to set him down, very carefully.]

Ending my fun just like that... Well, I did get to enjoy that cute face of surprise you made. [Eichi]

Anyway, you can rest assured that I'll always be looking to protect Akechi-kun, even if it means using myself as a pity bargain.

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