to exitvoid!

[theophorous]

Are you expecting me to complain? Fine, then. As you wish.

[... oh. what is this? is Soubi angry?]

You shouldn't have waited. I should be there now to fight for Ritsuka.

It is unacceptable that he has had to wait this long. It is even more unacceptable that he has been hurt because I was not there.

[why, yes. yes, Soubi is angry.]

... no. It does not matter that I was the one who made Ritsuka cry. I am sure that, regardless, Seimei would have me protect him in a place such as that. I am aware that it will likely be my first assignment.

Wherever he goes, I will follow. [said with the tone of You know this.

but which "he" is Soubi referring to? it isn't something he's giving much thought to.]

Comments

[sacrifights]

[ Normally he'd insist that, no, he can take care of himself well enough without Soubi.

But. Well. ] It's not your fault you weren't there. I shouldn't have gone off alone. And if anything, it's my mun you should be mad at.

[belovedbrother]

Don't assume what I will tell you to do.

After all, haven't you hurt Ritsuka yourself?

[theophorous]

[... Ritsuka.

Soubi needs to calm down now.]

She is the one who put you in danger, but she is not the one responsible for my absence.

[theophorous]

[Soubi had said it more to comfort himself than anything else. In his anger, he hadn't considered others' responses to his post.

He lowers his gaze.]

Yes, sir.

...

I was selfish.

[sacrifights]

It's not like there's anything you can do about it now.

[theophorous]

That doesn't make it okay.

[belovedbrother]

[In other words, he spoke before thinking. Seimei is hardly tolerant of that.]

Selfish and predictable. Should I trust you to protect Ritsuka?

[The fact of the matter is that both he and Ritsuka need Soubi's protection. He intends to make sure that Soubi needs him more.]

I don't think I can.

[sacrifights]

No, it doesn't, but-- Just get here. Okay?

[eternalgreed]

You sound like you could use a drink. Why not pull up a chair?

[theophorous]

[an answer without hesitation:] I will.

[obedience. even when all is as it is, control and obedience will sort it out.

(... then, why is he still worried?)]

[theophorous]

[... well. he deserves this, he tells himself, even as he feels his heart flutter painfully.

his gaze drops even further. what does he say? for a moment, he's too afraid of what will happen, regardless of what words he uses.

when he does speak, it's very quiet.] I'm sorry.

[theophorous]

[........... what the hell are you]

Who are you?

[belovedbrother]

What was that? [He heard it perfectly well.] Don't mumble.

[sacrifights]

[ he wants to tell him not to say it like that, like he's ordering him around, but. ] Don't forget to take care of yourself too.

[eternalgreed]

My name is Quark and I'm just a humble businessman. If theres anything you need, you just let me know. My prices are very reasonable.

[theophorous]

[the next pause is only there so that he can muster up his... he doesn't want to call it courage, but.]

I'm sorry.

[theophorous]

[do you see this smile? it is the smile of bullshit and lies] I won't.

[sacrifights]

[ godammit man ] Soubi. I mean it.

[belovedbrother]

That's better.

[His smile is calm.]

You remember making Ritsuka cry?

[theophorous]

[. . .]

Do you have any chupa?

[theophorous]

[The acceptance of his apology should make him feel better, but Seimei's next question just sets him more on edge.]

I do.

[theophorous]

I won't forget. [STILL THAT SMILE]

[belovedbrother]

I don't want you to mention it to him again.

[eternalgreed]

[thats the good part about having a replicator. technically you have everything. especially when you dont have to actually pay your energy bill]

I'll have to check my stores, could you give me a precise description? I'm afraid I'm not always familiar with the latest hyooman items.

[theophorous]

[... ?]

Yes, sir.