feistytrader | empatheias IC CONTACT

No, it's- look, even if it was, I'd rather tell him about it myself, on my own time, when we're not both having a competition to see who can be the most jealous.

Would you have told him, if I hadn't said anything?

[Because somehow he doubts that you would have, buddy.]

...I don't know. If it became a problem? They don't need to worry about some guy I talk to once in a while for no reason.

This is why I told him, you know.

The issue with people like that is there's no way to gauge when they're going to become a problem.

[...Would he be able to tell if something was wrong with Kimbley? Maybe, maybe not.]

That's why I don't let my guard down around him. I can take care of myself, you know.

Your judgement isn't always the best when it comes to this sort of thing. Besides, why do you care that I'm warning a friend of yours about someone who might decide to blow him up with very little provocation?

My judgement is fine. It hasn't got me hurt so far. The only thing that's gotten me hurt are emotional effects from the Arehtei.

[Ludger never would have hurt him normally. He doesn't think that Tsukiyama would, either.]

I guess that guy could hurt me or my friends, but he hasn't. And even if I don't trust him, I don't think he will.

Do you actually listen to yourself when you try to make these arguments?

[But fine. Whatever.]

If that's how you're going to act in response to something like this, then fine. I won't bother looking out for your well-being from here on.

Good, because I can take care of my...

[...Don't say that, come on, don't get angry don't say that, Tsukiyama's doing this because he cares, and it sucks but getting angry isn't going to fix anything.

There's the crystal equivalent of a deep breath before he starts again.]

...Thanks for looking out for me. I mean it. I'm just not really used to it, either.

I guess I just don't get why you're stuck on that guy. We're not even close, and I know other dangerous people, too.

[Like his girlfriend and the thing inside her brother.]

I'm aware. What would you have had me do, sell myself out?

[And that's not anywhere near what he should be saying right now, but that's what he's going to be saying anyway, apparently.]

...What?

[It takes him a moment to process that; the thought didn't even cross his mind.]

That's not what I-

[Tsukiyama isn't dangerous. ...Well, he is, but-]

What are you talking about? You wouldn't hurt me.

You don't know that, and I can't promise it, either.

[...]

Just let it go, Silver-kun, it doesn't matter.

I do know that. You train me all the time, and you beat me up, sure, but you've never hurt me.

[Except for last time, but it goes without saying that envy induced poor life decisions don't count.]

Why do you think you'd hurt me?

[Apparently it does matter.]

Because sometimes things happen. Why do you want to know? You can take care of yourself, right?

[...Goddamn it.]

...Sorry, I... Sorry.

No, I'm sorry too.

[Neither of them are at their best here.]

I still don't think you'd hurt me, but I definitely don't think you'd hurt me intentionally. And you'd be upset if you hurt me, wouldn't you? That's why I want to know.

[So he can be aware of it, and maybe prevent it somehow.]

...It really is a matter of "because sometimes things happen." If situations end up being particularly dire in one way or another, it's not unheard of for people like me to kill people they love. What I want has nothing to do with it, in situations like that.

[He wants to say that circumstances wouldn't get that dire here, but... They have the apocalypse come knocking on their door in the form of an Arehtei every now and again. Aiada might show up at any minute. And then there's the fact that Shaarnath wants to go to war with them.

Things are tentatively peaceful now, but as much as he likes to believe that he can prevent it, things could go straight to hell in an instant. And things could get a lot more difficult for Tsukiyama very quickly.]

...I wouldn't blame you if something like that happened.

[That's important to get out, first and foremost.]

I would try to stop you, but I wouldn't hold it against you.

empatheias IC CONTACT

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