[ belph & jae-ha don't have a problem ]

[alttitude]

SOMETHING WILL GO HERE LATER

Comments

[alttitude]

[Jae-ha's expression relaxes then, if only because - ]

Each time we reach for a bottle, we get sidetracked.

We can still do that later, if you'd like.

[axilium]

What? Someone's certainly focused today.

[alttitude]

[He laughs, and there is no sincerity in it.]

I'm getting rather tired of being distracted.

[axilium]

... Then let me ask: what do you think of all that happened?

[alttitude]

Are you so afraid of giving your own opinion first that you'll turn my question back at me?

I think it's a cruel, twisted, vile game that we've now had to send two young women to their deaths in just as many weeks, not counting the other number who are dead or suffering.

[axilium]

I'm a cautious guy, what can I say?

[...]

I can't say I feel any differently. I wouldn't be surprised if a few of us start going insane by the end of next week, if this keeps up.

[alttitude]

And what is the reason for your caution? Don't think anyone would like anything that you have to say?

[axilium]

Force of habit.

[alttitude]

.... the intensity with which you avoid actually explaining yourself in any capacity might come to bite you one day.

[Just saying.]

[axilium]

[for a split-second, belph's face twists into what was either a pained smile or a grimace, before it returns to its usual flippancy.]

And what do you mean by that?

[... it already has. he's lost everything.]

[alttitude]

[Jae-ha catches it - and for once he continues to press.]

People find it difficult to trust someone who doesn't give them anything in return, or forces them to show their hand first before giving even an inch.

.... I don't know what's going on in your head, but I don't think it's evil.

Others might not come to the same conclusion.

[So - be careful.]

[axilium]

[...]

Aww, are you worried about me? I'm touched.

[alttitude]

You couldn't even answer a simple question when it was almost a given fact that we were on the same page.

That would cause concern for anyone.

[axilium]

Maybe I thought you'd understand?

[alttitude]

Oh? How did I do?

[axilium]

Well, you don't think I'm some kind of masterminding villain, so well enough.

[alttitude]

You could always help yourself by not making it so hard to tell sometimes.

[axilium]

Maybe I'm trying to cultivate that mysteriousness we talked about before.

[alttitude]

Mysteriousness does not naturally equate to villainy, you know?

[axilium]

But there is some correlation, wouldn't you agree?

[alttitude]

Sure, if your brand of mysterious is keeping people guessing as to when they're going to get stabbed.

[axilium]

Iiiii don't think I'd be very good at stabbing people.

[shirasu might fix that but eh]

[alttitude]

Well, at least that's in your favor.

... not quite the point I was trying to make, though.

[axilium]

You don't need to worry about me.

[less so because there's nothing to worry about and more so because it's wasted on someone like him.]

[alttitude]

You know everyone who says that is likely the number one person to worry about, right?