BERTOLT

[bloodread]

Comments

[bloodread]

Yeah, spirits have all the time in the world. Another one tried to murder me so I had to wake up the entire damn block to scare her off.

Pretty sure my neighbors are still pissed at me. [ Again as if this was the worst thing about almost dying. ]

[perspire]

[ he can't help the small laugh he lets out at that ]

I'll be more considerate when I message you.

[bloodread]

Good, cause I'll still punch you.

[ The smallest of smiles as Nagako continues to be embarrassing. ]

...do you need me to hold onto anything?

[perspire]

[ laughs again while their daemons still keep doing Things behind him. Nope nope not looking at them ]

I don't have anything for you to hold onto but... [ he pauses as he looks down before looking back up at him. he reaches into his pocket and makes his way to the bars before holding his hand out, reaching through them to akira ]

I... want you to have this, at least. [ he's going to hand over a pocket knife. ] I found it our first day here. It needs to be sharpened, so I haven't used it for... anything really. But it made me feel comfortable about being here.

So... I want you to have it. [ just slightly red, embarrassed by this slightly but also being sure about this ]

[bloodread]

Ah? Sure. [ He blinks more than a little bit confused on surface but something in the mood (or maybe it's him catching just a glimpse of their daemons) makes him a little flustered too. There's no color flush across his face or anything like that, but his expression is open for once, not a scowl or clenched jaw in sight.

He takes the pocket knife and turns it over in his palm. ]

This is way more useful than the last good luck charm someone gave me.

[perspire]

[ he lets out a small breath of relief and smile after akira takes it. ]

I'm sure if you ask around, you can find a way to sharpen it if you want to use it for something.

But what did you get last time?

[bloodread]

Maybe.

[ He might just keep it like this, honestly.

As for the question, he rolls up his right sleeve to reveal a beaded bracelet consisting of seven different colored beads. ]

This girl I knew forced this on me cause she said it helped ward off spirits. I think it did the opposite and just wound up attracting them, but she wouldn't let up about how it just takes time to work.

[perspire]

[ peers down to look a little closer ]

Did it ever work?

[bloodread]

No, and then she wound up in a coma because of a spirit. [ The space here between his words speaks for him in a way "because of me". ]

...I had gotten used to wearing it by that point, so I just kept it. I'll take it off when she's out of the hospital for good.

[perspire]

[ his eyes fill with understanding with that and he nods. akira doesn't need to say it ]

Well, I hope you'll get to take it off soon.

[bloodread]

...she was supposed to be released the day after we got kidnapped, so she's probably gonna give me a mouthful.

[perspire]

[ oh, he laughs at that. not trying to sound mean just that timing... ]

That'll be something to look forward to.

[bloodread]

She'll have to get in line, pretty sure Amanome is gonna try to punch me first.

[perspire]

Do you have a lot of people who want to punch you?

[bloodread]

Me and Amanome punch each other all the time.

[ Bonding. ]

[perspire]

That's the friend you told me about earlier, right? The heir to the Yakuza family?

[bloodread]

Yeah, that's him. He's a stick though, so I always win.

[perspire]

You are pretty strong, yeah.

[ said from experience ]

[bloodread]

It's the only thing I'm good at. And it helps to have a good partner.

[perspire]

--I wouldn't say it's the only thing you're good at.

[bloodread]

People like to say that.

[ He stops short of putting himself down further because that really isn't about this to him. Know your strengths, or something. ]

[perspire]

Well, I won't say that.

[ looking at him firmly as he says that ]

[bloodread]

That's just because I hit you too hard.

[ His tsun does not perceive. ]

[perspire]

It's more than just that.

[ idi lets out an amused snort at all this ]

[bloodread]

...you're gonna make me want to hit you again.

[ does not perceive!!! Nagako can't laugh in this form but she sure does nuzzle Idi in support. ]