locumstudentesquire | Songerein

[He tenses when his friend winces. You sure know how to get him to worry. Eventually, he'll relax, but he doesn't seem all too convinced, considering he literally injected venom into him.]

Cooking chicken isn't the same as eating it. [There's something satisfying about roasting chicken.] But 76 did help, for seasoning and taste.

Well it looks delicious and smells delicious, so...

[He takes a bite, and his face lights up immediately. He nods in approval.]

...Yes. It's delicious.

[The peace offering was a success. Eat as much as you want bud, cause he sure ain't touching them.]

I'm glad you're doing better.

[It's nice to hear that from Kazuma, which makes it kind of suck that Ryunosuke has to go and address the elephant in the room. Alas...]

Much better, now that you're here. [He frowns, and waggles a now empty skewer in Kazuma's direction.] So what about you? How are YOU doing?

[Pretty good, it doesn't seem 8/]

Well. . . [He scratches the back of his neck. The question feels awkward, considering he was the one causing so much harm to others.]

Pretty miserable, to be honest. Just been trying to move on after what happened, but... [The screams, the chaos, his friends getting hurt because of him. Killed almost. His experience is just written all over his face, getting pulled back into it. Gods, he couldn't stop it.]

[Ryunosuke is watching his reaction closely, in that uncanny way he sometimes has a knack for.

He puts down the empty skewer, huffing a little sigh.]

...I want to tell you that it's not your fault... But I have a hunch you won't accept that as the truth, even if I do.

Hm, is that really the truth...? [He leans back a little.] Wouldn't be the first time someone told me that. I'm trying to believe it, but Hyde isn't just something completely formed out of thin air...

[Can't really deny there was a side of him that nearly went to the deep end once.] You got the better end of the bargain. Turning into a dragon? You're actually living up to your name.

[Rather than looking pleased by the suggestion like he had during the Flower Festival, a complicated expression takes over Ryunosuke's features. He diverts his gaze down to his hands, fidgeting.]

Maybe... But if Hyde coming from you is supposed to mean something, then I'm not sure what that dragon says about me. I mean... When I first changed, I completely lost control.

...Well, you hadn't done it before, and your life was under threat. Perhaps you were simply running on instinct, to survive. [A curious glance.]

It was just the one time, right...? [It's an essence so it technically didn't linger, right? So...it's fine?]

[The wince on his face would indicate that he's not particularly comforted by the quantity being so small, alas. Ryunosuke shivers, working up to an explanation.]

Yes, but. It was more than just survival instinct. It... It wanted to destroy Hyde. Completely.

[A wry smile. What's with that unsettling laugh...?]

Would that be so terrible? [It just, came out of his mouth before he could stop himself.] Ah, sorry. . .but you did regain awareness, before he...I- [His eyes wander to his partner's shoulder where Hyde had struck.]

[Oh no, mister. You're not blowing past that joke THAT easily. Ryunosuke's stunned a second, and then shoots back VERY emphatically:]

Yes! It would, if it meant taking you down with him!!!

[He huffs, taking an aggressive bite of chicken, talking with his mouth partly full for a moment:]

That's what was so disturbing... I, or it-- [gulp.] --I don't even know which... We didn't even differentiate. It was like nothing else mattered, except...

[He shakes his head sadly, forcing himself to stop dwelling on it, and come back around to Kazuma's question instead.]

...76 managed to snap me out of it, by interfering the way he did... So. Yes...

It would mean no one would get hurt. [Sounded like he was prepared for that outcome, if it came to it. He takes a deep breath, moving a hand to rest on Ryunosuke's shoulder.]

If you can be snapped of it, then you would have eventually been able to take control. I'm sure of it. [A small smile.] Don't sell yourself short.

[Ryunosuke laughs quietly.]

I'm not trying to. Honestly. I suppose what I'm really trying to say is... I know it's not exactly the same, but. I think maybe I understand a little bit better now... What it's like, to have something like that take control. And most importantly, I need you to know that... That I don't blame you at all. For this.

[He nods his head slightly towards his bad shoulder.]

...And I hope you're not blaming yourself for it, either.

...hm. [And here he is, doing the same thing Ryunosuke was trying with him. Reassure him despite it all. He looks at the shoulder he had his hand on. A soft bit of laughter. They're still here, and all right in the end. That's more important, isn't it?]

I can't say that thought hasn't crossed my mind several times already. But it's an easier pill to swallow when you have a partner who can spin an argument back around. [An honest attempt at least.]

[Wow, flatterer. His eyebrows go up a bit, and he grins sardonically.]

And I'll keep spinning it as much as I have to, until you fully agree. Don't think I won't.

Heh, all right, all right. I wouldn't expect otherwise from you anyway. [He looks to the pond in the middle of the room, observing the fishies.]

From what I hear, you're just as tenacious in the courts.

[Ryunosuke's expression grows momentarily wistful. He really does miss lawyering...

The look is fleeting, though, and he snorts lightly with amusement.]

Stated as if you didn't have a single hand involved in teaching me to be that way. [He smirks and nudges Kazuma's knee with his own, in the absence of being able to elbow him.] Well, maybe you'll get to experience it yourself soon.

[If he manages to go home like they'd discussed...]

...That was a promise we made to each other, you know. Before I left England. That we would lock horns in court again someday, when your apprenticeship finished, and you returned to Japan.

[A glance after that nudge.] So you actually learned something from me during that time? And here I thought you were letting your stomach do the talking. [Like drinking and eating the evidence. He's teasing of course.

As he listens to the "promise" they apparently made, a smile simply dances on his lips.]

That sounds like a promise I would make. I imagine my performance during Van Zieks' trial was...well, not quite up to standards. [Probably the nicest way to put it.] I certainly look forward to having a trial with you on more even grounds.

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