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[ Her hand disappears in his. She purses her lips at him, wondering how to express the myriad frustrations that simmer beneath her skin: I am not delicate; do not seek to protect me; I only wish for you to come if your desire is to sate a thirst for knowledge. She'd asked him at the castle to trust her, and surely that had paid off. None of their number was injured.
But she can't blame Hellboy. He's right to expect a trap. ]
And if I told you not to come? [ Her brow cocks, archly. They both know she can't issue that kind of order. ] Would you?
But she can't blame Hellboy. He's right to expect a trap. ]
And if I told you not to come? [ Her brow cocks, archly. They both know she can't issue that kind of order. ] Would you?
Not at the moment. But if I come up with something, you'll be the first to know. [Because yeah, basically the other alternative is just sitting around. Not exactly the best course of action.] I can't promise it'll be much better, but it'll be something.
[The texture of Hellboy's right hand is like a statue; It's dense and a little porous, like granite, its fine imperfections palpable to the touch. He's always mindful of how clumsy he can be with it, how alien it is, and something in his chest thrums when Kida doesn't seem to treat it differently than his left.
He doesn't answer her right away, tilting the ridge above an eye slightly to suggest a mirroring of her expression. Maybe she couldn't order him, but Hellboy always did his best to let his friends live their own lives. Liz was his best friend and she disappeared for months at a time. He couldn't put much of a stop to that, even if he wanted to.]
Nah.
He doesn't answer her right away, tilting the ridge above an eye slightly to suggest a mirroring of her expression. Maybe she couldn't order him, but Hellboy always did his best to let his friends live their own lives. Liz was his best friend and she disappeared for months at a time. He couldn't put much of a stop to that, even if he wanted to.]
Nah.
I appreciate it.
[She appreciates every little thing that isn't ALASTAIR watching them silently from above.]
I won't take up any more of your time then.
[She appreciates every little thing that isn't ALASTAIR watching them silently from above.]
I won't take up any more of your time then.
I always have time for you, Riza.
I'll see you at the castle shindig.
I'll see you at the castle shindig.
[ Kida has seen far too many crazy things in the last two months alone, and in all the long millennia of her life, to care about--what appears to her as--a strange prosthetic. Hellboy has proven himself a good man; whatever weapons he carries with him, or his fearsome appearance, they can't override the choices and actions that speak for him.
She places her free hand over his stone one and contemplates his answer. Selfishly, perhaps, she wonders if it was the one she had wanted. Had there been a correct answer, or had she set him up to fail? Answer no and admit that his concern was for her safety; answer yes and go against her wishes.
He says no. He wants to protect her, but he will yield. She will take this as what it is, then: a sign of respect. ]
I would not be so cruel as to fetter your curiosity in such a way, my friend. [ She cants her head up at him. ] You should come. There is strength in numbers.
[ She'll reflect later that it didn't help them, but for now--this is enough. ]
She places her free hand over his stone one and contemplates his answer. Selfishly, perhaps, she wonders if it was the one she had wanted. Had there been a correct answer, or had she set him up to fail? Answer no and admit that his concern was for her safety; answer yes and go against her wishes.
He says no. He wants to protect her, but he will yield. She will take this as what it is, then: a sign of respect. ]
I would not be so cruel as to fetter your curiosity in such a way, my friend. [ She cants her head up at him. ] You should come. There is strength in numbers.
[ She'll reflect later that it didn't help them, but for now--this is enough. ]
[ok this is definitely a joke.
Hellboy stares at the bracer on his wrist for awhile. Then there is a longer pause while he waits for the chance to actually answer the question. His reply comes in spurts.]
I don't see any
But that doesn't mean they're not here. I'm used to sigils being visible. Painted
Painted or drawn or something like that. I can't sense these sort of things on my own.
Sorry to disappoint
Hellboy stares at the bracer on his wrist for awhile. Then there is a longer pause while he waits for the chance to actually answer the question. His reply comes in spurts.]
I don't see any
But that doesn't mean they're not here. I'm used to sigils being visible. Painted
Painted or drawn or something like that. I can't sense these sort of things on my own.
Sorry to disappoint
Not that I know of. I could ask around, but it might take awhile
Surveillance and all that.
I'm pretty sure death row is the definition of being in jeopardy, so don't worry about it.
Out of curiosity, who told you to contact me?
Out of curiosity, who told you to contact me?
[She might not feel the same way if he tells her more about the hand, and what it is. Supposedly, anyway; he never knows what to believe when it's ghosts and demons whispering to him. Still, for now, he's keeping all that stuff to himself. Maybe it's selfish, but he's allowed to want friendship.
Hellboy looks down at their hands together, then looks up when Kida does. The corner of his mouth tilts up.]
How can I say no to that face?
Hellboy looks down at their hands together, then looks up when Kida does. The corner of his mouth tilts up.]
How can I say no to that face?
[Oh. He's actually a little surprised.]
That's interesting.
That's interesting.
I don't use magic. [He's actually flattered that Kida thought highly enough of his expertise, but it could be that they're that desperate...]
I know how to combat it.
I know how to combat it.
Let's hope so.
Somehow I don't think burning sage will be that helpful, but I'll do what I can
Somehow I don't think burning sage will be that helpful, but I'll do what I can
[He believes her without question, at least. He doesn't have the energy to be cynical right now, and they need all the hope they can get.]
Just be careful. We're counting on you.
No pressure or anything.
Just be careful. We're counting on you.
No pressure or anything.
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