BERTOLT

[bloodread]

Comments

[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. ]

[perspire]

Hm, then maybe I am a masochist.

[ hit him if he wants!! he's open to it god i hate that i'm writing this ]

[bloodread]

[ Akira reaches out and...flicks Bertolt in the nose. ]

Save that for tomorrow.

[perspire]

[ he flushes slightly at that ]

Yeah… I suppose I will. Though, I’m not going to go down easily.

[bloodread]

[ Bertolt why are you flushing, Akira is confused and dumb. ]

You better not. I can't say I'm routing for you, but I'm not rooting again you either.