[If Hellboy had eyebrows to raise, he would be doing that right now. As it is, he just takes the letter in hand and studies it, scanning the words a few times to see if there's no hidden meaning. Something stands out to him, of course -- justice.
Clearing his throat, he holds the note out to Kida again.] It's from somebody calling themselves the 'Order of the Chimera.' It says they've noticed you and if you want to help bring justice to Chantes, you should go to a meeting in the woods.
[He's trying to be clinical about this; she just asked him to read it, not for his opinion. But still, he doesn't sound all that thrilled about the idea.]
[ She appreciates his attempt, though she respects his opinion enough to take it into account.
But her response to it is fairly predictable. ]
I should go. This may be a chance at more answers.
[ 'Noticed her'...? So they knew she was at the root of the castle's break-in, doubtlessly. This could be a trap. She looks up at Hellboy, craning her neck, waiting for him to speak. ]
[Yeah, he expected her to say that. At least she's consistent. Hellboy exhales, gesturing with the note.]
I don't like it. It says right here to keep it a secret and not to tell anyone. [Which, you know... is not what happened, but Kida can hardly be blamed for that, right.] Secret meetings about 'justice'?
[The corners of Hellboy's mouth twitch downward, and he reaches out to gently take Kida's hand in his great stone fingers.] I don't want you to appease me. But I'll come with if you want me to.
[ 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?
[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.]
[ 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 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.]
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There's little preamble: she hands him the letter. ]
I received this.
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Clearing his throat, he holds the note out to Kida again.] It's from somebody calling themselves the 'Order of the Chimera.' It says they've noticed you and if you want to help bring justice to Chantes, you should go to a meeting in the woods.
[He's trying to be clinical about this; she just asked him to read it, not for his opinion. But still, he doesn't sound all that thrilled about the idea.]
no subject
But her response to it is fairly predictable. ]
I should go. This may be a chance at more answers.
[ 'Noticed her'...? So they knew she was at the root of the castle's break-in, doubtlessly. This could be a trap. She looks up at Hellboy, craning her neck, waiting for him to speak. ]
no subject
I don't like it. It says right here to keep it a secret and not to tell anyone. [Which, you know... is not what happened, but Kida can hardly be blamed for that, right.] Secret meetings about 'justice'?
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Then come with me. [ The cat's out of the bag in any case. ] That is what will appease you, is it not?
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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?
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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.
no subject
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. ]
no subject
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?
no subject
It is only two letters. I am sure you would find it easy.