expiationlogs | everyone's having a good time

[ Hiei will not snatch Kotone from Scott or even attempt it - but he isn’t going to let up for a little while longer. The fire demon lingers, pausing occasionally to scan the area visually and to listen. The third eye on his forehead pulses awake for a moment, checking in on Kurama and Yukina before he turns his attention back to the teenage mutant.

The demon pushes down his immediate urge to throw out something about weakness as Scott goes on. Reminds himself that he is a human, regardless of his extra abilities, and sets the resolve to treat it the same as dealing with Kuwabara. ]

So the others you could attempt to heal or save are left to their own fate?

[ look, Hiei himself isn’t worried about it, but he feels like Scott may be. ]

Beyond that, if those we know are not themselves it is equally our responsibility to either bring them back or neutralize them.

[ a pause, then - ]

Is there someone like Koenma, here, that could be appealed to if need be?

...

[Hiei keeps on making point after point about things that he should be doing and honestly every insistence he makes chips a little at the overwhelming guilt that's keeping him tethered to the ground. It's kind of funny that the grumpy fire demon is encouraging him in his own way and a part of Scott realizes that. Mostly, he wonders why Hiei is trying so hard, but he doesn't ask, too tired and mentally drained to even parse the other's motivations.

It's why he still doesn't really respond to Hiei's suggestions.

Instead, he focuses on that unfamiliar name, because at least that sort of confusion is easier to take in than remembering how much he dissociated when he turned into someone else-- into Phoenix. Or whatever all that was.]

...I don't know who or what Koenma is.

[ in a way he is thinking of Yusuke. Seeing Yusuke early on, in the Dark Tournament after they had lost Genkai, needing a kick in the ass to get the job done. The stakes are perhaps a little lower, here, in that Scott staying here on the ground does not endanger his life or Kurama’s… but still.

So far as Hiei is concerned, the humans around him need far too much goading to get up and finish things. It’s an annoying habit, at the very least.

He rumbles a hum of thought as Scott says he doesn’t know Koenma, of course sarcastic in the moment. ]

How lucky for you to be unacquainted with Koenma. [ Hiei doesn’t interact all that often either, but… he did put him in human baby jail so Hiei is a little salted still. ]

Problematic for bringing Yusuke back, though.

....Death doesn't usually stick in this place.

[And isn't that a comforting thought? At least it should be. It's likely that Kotone and Ryoji and everyone that died during this shitty crisis will come back like nothing happened. ...That's the thing though, isn't it? Because even in the best case scenario that they are revived, all of this still happened. He still burned Ryoji to death without mercy and he still can see picture the moment of when Kotone got stabbed, even when he closes his eyes.

Besides, can he fully count on everyone being brought back?? What if... what if things are different this time?

So, despite acknowledging how temporary death may be here here, Scott shakes his head.] It... shouldn't be permeant anyway.

[ Hiei… blinks. Wide red eyes blink a few times rapidly as if he can’t quite digest what Scott just said, before he turns away, frowning in thought. That is one hell of a development, and one that he isn’t sure is actually good to know.

Good in the sense that Yusuke could come back, but doesn’t he always? And all the more dangerous because he can see some on the team (Kurama) using it as all the more reason to play roulette with his life.

The thought makes his blood rise again, and without a thought he quickly decides to take it out on Scott. ]

Then what the hell are you crying about? What use is there in weeping like a child over those who will come back?

[There's an anger that claws at his chest when Hiei yells at him. The demon just doesn't get it. He probably never lost someone like this before and Scott lets those uncharitable thoughts linger in his mind for a moment. A part of him wants to cling to that rage, focus on it so that he can pull himself out of this numb guilt that's taken a hold of him.

But he abruptly stomps on that instinct, the teen biting his lip and just sinking further into himself instead. No, he can't get angry-- that's what happened here, right? He got upset and then he changed into someone else. He lost control of his very existence and he doesn't want that to happen again.

So, he doesn't get angry, instead closing up just a little more, forgetting about the advice Hiei gave him earlier.]

...Leave me alone, Hiei. I'm probably wasting your time.

Everything here is a waste of my time, and yet I am still here. [ He’d just embarked on a new life, so to speak, as Mukuro’s second in a newly settled demon world. All that was ahead of him had been more training and the occasional decision making on what to do with border patrol.

And then all of it had been slam dunked in to “waiting” here where he is detached from his powers and left training what he had in order to not fall behind, all with the threat of what could happen and Yukina here to protect.

To say Hiei is frustrated with the situation is too small a word. ]

What’s being here versus somewhere else when it’s all baby sitting?

...You still have others to protect, right?

[His mind slowly draws back to that one pleasant afternoon with the ice demon Yukina. She was so nice; it's nice to remember how they shared sandwiches and drinks and everything. It really was a surprise to find out about her status as a demon, but he's long since learned that everyone can be cool, no matter their species. Or they can just suck.

Scott lets himself think about that day, something that feels so far away now even though it has only been a couple of weeks or so, and maybe if he closes his eyes, he can think about how normal and easy things were. It doesn't last long though, not when he can feel all of that blood stick to his clothes.

Still, he recalls what he wanted from that day, and Scott slowly answers.]

Yukina, Kurama. They're your friends, right? [...] You barely tolerate me.

Tch. [ Hiei is content to leave his dismissal of having others to protect at that. He’s unaware, of course, that Scott knows of Yukina and Kurama. He doesn’t make it his business to see who they know, and vice versa. As long as there’s their little pocket of one another… Hiei is content.

Which accounts for why his head snaps toward the mutant so quickly when he hears their names, looking like Scott’s just attempted to swing at him or something.

He supposes it isn’t all that unreal that he would know of others, but … it sets Hiei slightly off kilter as he reconciles that information. ]

Kurama does not need anyone’s protection. [ not from anything anyone here can unleash on him, anyway. Hiei is confident in that.

Though, with a little more thought he asks - (though it sounds accusing) -]

You met Yukina, then.

[He hasn't met Kurama yet. In fact, he doesn't even know what he looks like or what his personality is like. Scott just knows that he's a demon and supposedly another friend that belongs in that group. It's been good enough for him, because he's glad that they have someone from their world... it matters a lot. He really hasn't met anyone from his world specifically, not really, although he wonders if it would actually help right now.

Like, how would Alex react seeing him like this? His older brother coming across him right after he killed someone? Maybe it's for the best that he's not here. He's not sure how he'd face him too, even though a part of him still yearns for his presence. Things are just so fucked up.]

Yeah, I met her. [He quietly acknowledges, not sure where this conversation is leading, but Scott really has no energy or thoughts to do much of anything else. That numbness has started to take hold of him once more.] ...She was really nice. We ate sandwiches. Drank soda.

[He wonders if he can go back to being that carefree.]

[ Hiei… isn’t quite sure where to take this either. He has always been woefully incapable of handling anything concerning Yukina normally since he had made it his mission to find her. She is safe in the human world, and despite Genkai’s insistence that she knows more than she lets on, Hiei is content to take Kurama and Yusuke’s incessant teasing and never let her know that he is her twin brother.

After all, Yukina is kind, gentle, and unmarred somehow by her run in with the cruelty of humans. He can hardly imagine trying to claim a spot so close to her with how bloodied, scarred, and ugly his life has been and made him by comparison.

A beat of silence passes where Hiei silently wars within himself before he speaks. ]

Yukina is at times too kind. But her gentleness is her strength. [ despite everything he put her through, she wouldn’t let him kill Gonzo Tarukane, for one.

Anyway - the subject of his secret twin sister is always one Hiei does not enjoy speaking about, no matter how mundane, and so he attempts to steer away.

… It’s also helpful in that he avoids saying something about leaving her alone and possibly making Scott have the wrong impression of their relationship to one another. ]

In a fight against an unrelenting enemy that is intent on your death, though, your kindness will get you killed.

But if it’s so impermanent, that’s why you intend to cling to a corpse and a burned husk until it comes for you too, mn?

[Scott doesn't find himself disagreeing with Hiei at all, honestly. Yukina is extremely kind and it definitely is her strength. Hopefully though, she's not having that kindness be tested right now. A pang of concern develops in his chest at the thought of the ice demon getting hurt or killed in some way, but... Hiei would've mentioned by now if something did happen to her. They don't have to worry, right?

...But it's only just now that he lost Kotone, so maybe none of them can rest.

Kindness can't save her in this situation, another point that Scott agrees on. There are times where you can be gentle and understanding, but there are also other times you have to stand up and fight back because the other side won't listen. Can't listen. Didn't Kotone just pay that price??]

Because it still happened, Hiei. [He doesn't know how to fully describe it. The memory of that sword piercing through her chest can never leave his mind now. Nor can he ever forget burning someone alive. Even if they will come back to life, it doesn't erase them happening in the first place.] Watching her d-die, killing someone like that...

[ fortunately or unfortunately for Scott, all of Aldrip would know if something happened to Yukina. If only because Hiei would be on a rampage that would put Scott burning Ryoji to shame, unrepentantly on top of it. Hiei has been killing since he could remember, once upon a time enjoying it no matter the situation.

These days… he doesn’t enjoy it as much. He is strong enough now that a demon who poses a challenge, or a chance to swing at Yusuke or test his mettle against Kurama or Mukuro was more interesting.

Still - ]

And without it, more like her or Yukina stand a better than zero chance at meeting the same fate. Or worse.

[ He states it like a fact, and though he scoffs every time someone asks if he’s a hero.. he is out here also to naturalize those threats not only for his twin’s safety.

… If it helps him vent a little frustration at the same time, it’s a net plus, isn’t it? ]

This will hardly be the last time you face or cause death, with your abilities.

[ it’s a safe guess, he thinks. ]

Being soft will only place you at disadvantage.

[He doesn't want to justify what he did. Even if it's tempting on some level because it's easy to imagine Ryoji killing Yukina and more after this, Scott still could've done something different. Healed him. He planned on it, really, but he... glitched or whatever people have been calling that sudden shift into alternative versions of themselves. However, he doesn't want to explain any of that to Hiei still. He doesn't think he'd understand.

Talking about how much Kotone would be disappointed in him, how he did the opposite of what they both wanted, is just too much.

Is this really far from the last time he'll cause death though...? It's not what he wants. He didn't ask for this. He just wants to protect people with his powers. Even with his inability to fully control his optic blasts, at least he can still decide when to use them. But now, he didn't even have control over his thoughts or feelings, not really. So maybe Hiei is right about this not being the last time.

He also wants to tell Hiei that he's not a murderer, but that's pointless. There's proof not too far away that says otherwise.]

Not wanting to kill others isn't being soft. [There's some amount of energy that goes into his voice finally, like some conviction has finally sparked in him after everything.] It should only happen when there's no other choice.

It is soft. [ Hiei will never not think it's soft, but of course he wouldn't. He's been killing for sport since he was a child, there's no convincing him otherwise. But the demon world and the human world could not be further apart in how they handle things, how they handle life. The only way Hiei has ever known to express himself was through power and violence until very recently, and even then he has only learned those lessons on humanity begrudgingly.

Beyond that... he's definitely trying to barb Scott into showing a little life again. He does this with Yusuke enough that it's route form.

This is a good start, but as per usual Hiei isn't satisfied just yet. ]

Weakness and indecision's only result is more death and suffering. Either for you or for others, since that seems to be what you care about so much. [ Hiei points to Kotone, here, because he could care less about Ryoji's fate. ] Your whining and crying does nothing for them - they are already gone.

Stop embarrassing yourself and grinding my ears and get to work.

[Don't get mad, don't be upset--]

Shut up.

[He's supposed to be better about this sort of thing, controlling his anger. In the past, every time he outwardly expressed his anger to others, it blew up in his face. People abandoned him, people shoved guns in his face, they stopped trusting him-- so he's not supposed to act like that anymore. If he's going to be a great mutant leader in the future, he has to let these things slide off his shoulders.

However, he's tired of hearing Hiei talk like this.

After gently placing Kotone on the ground, Scott staggers to his feet, still wounded and hurting in a lot of ways, but he focuses on those upset feelings-- at least for a moment. Maybe it is better than feeling empty and lost. Although, wasn't he angry when he killed Ryoji--]

Just fuck off. Just... [His hands curl into fists by his sides, lip clenched between teeth as he battles that anger. Hiei doesn't care that Kotone died and it hurts, it stings in a lot of ways. Maybe he's presuming too much about the demon, but right now, he doesn't care.]

[ Ah, there he goes.

This has been Hiei's goal of course, though the way he smirks like the cat that got the cream doesn't really project as much. He isn't exactly trying to pick a fight but there is undeniably a part of the little demon that relishes in the possibility of course. His pupils retract slightly, little pointed teeth exposed as he smirks at the teen in that way that makes most just want to try and punch him in the mouth. ]

So you aren't just going to sit there and mope. Finally. [ No, he isn't reaching for his sword, and probably will not, hands still tucked within that classic black cape. ]

Just what? Are you going to attempt to attack me next?

[ Hiei probably shouldn't be stoking the flames, here (or lazers, whatever) - but here he is anyway. ]

[Had he always wanted to blast that stupid smirk off Hiei's face? No, probably not, but he certainly feels it right now with one hand rising to his glasses as if getting ready to tug them off. However, despite the anger still clearly visible, with his jaw clenching tightly, he doesn't move to actually take them off. He doesn't want to fight, he doesn't want to hurt anyone, even as the demon's taunting words echo around the area.

Maybe a stupid thought to have in the first place, since Ryoji's body is still nearby, but...]

No, it's not worth it. [He sucks in a breath, still trying to calm himself, settle those multiple emotions that are warring inside him. He's so upset and angry now, but there's still those other emotions threatening to come back at any moment. That grief and guilt never went away, always close to bursting out as he stares at Hiei's smirking form with blurry vision.

But sinking back to the ground and curling around Kotone's body once more isn't something he wants to do now.]

I-It'd be a waste of time kicking your ass. [He barely manages to force those words out and they really aren't biting, especially since he sounds out of breath and strained.]

You could try. [ This is too cocky for a demon who hasn't even had a proper fight here yet, much less against someone with Scott's abilities. There aren't people like mutants in his version of Earth, or anything like it, but... he trusts in his own speed, and to his testing nothing about it has changed at all.

A morbid part wonders if Scott could burn him, but he also knows that Kurama will be levels of angry at him that he doesn't want to deal with if he tested it for the laughs.

Without the protection of the dragon... hm. It's debatable. ]

My request would be to be properly incinerated, instead of whatever half-assed job that is. It's amateur work otherwise.

[ Hiei makes a haughty little sound that... well. The other members of Team Urameshi would recognize as joking complaints, and Scott might. ]

I had plans, you know.

[Maybe fighting Hiei would be a good distraction, something to focus on. It would be much easier to shove all those feelings down when he's fighting, right? Direct all of his energy into a fight and everything. Or would it just be another thing to add to his stress? Being overwhelmed by everything might be the reason why he turned in the first place and he's not risking another person getting killed by his hand. Or Phoenix's hand. Whatever that was.

So, he tries to repress, hands curling into fists and letting the feeling of his nails digging into vulnerable skin be a crappy replacement. It's probably just in time, especially as Hiei's haughty comment about this being amateur work taunts him. Maybe, normally, he would've realized he was joking, but...]

...Plans? [He repeats, almost slowly.] What do you mean?

I wasn't going to let Yusuke's death go unrepaid. [ Hiei admits that he was planning to kill Ryoji himself with smooth ease, one hand resting casually on the hilt of his sword. He isn't at all outwardly wary of Scott's hands balling in to fists, though he has noticed and, of course, taken note.

It would hardly be his first kill, or his first human kill, even if it was technically illegal. He supposes that Sniper had been justifiable, considering his intention to help Sensui open the portal to the demon world at the time, so that had been forgiven.

.. So far as here, well. So far as he can tell Koenma and his enforcers do not exist. ]

Fortunately or unfortunately for him, you got to him first.

[Oh, Hiei's just talking about killing Ryoji...

Right, he mentioned that before. He just thought he was talking about something else for a moment, but obviously not. Scott's not sure how the demon would've fared against Ryoji when he was gnosia infected. Would both have them died? Would Hiei do something worse to him than what Scott did? Is it actually a good thing that he got to Ryoji before him? ...Thinking about what ifs is pointless because who knows what might've happened. Might've been worse, might've been better. The truth is that he's responsible, no one else.

Well, Phoenix and the other Scott. The glitching of this world. Is it really okay to shift blame like that?]

...You'll just have to put your energy elsewhere then, Hiei. [...] I will too.

[Scott's not sure if will actually get far, but he feels like he has to say something. He just wants to be left alone.]

[ Likely Hiei wouldn't have spared the time for anything torturous. Scott had no way of knowing the predilections of the members of Team Urameshi, of course, but Kurama was much more likely to resort to torture. Hiei would have been fast and brutal, whether with fire or sword, depending on how much of a fight Ryoji had put up in return.

However, with his temper and mood... it's likely it wouldn't have lasted long either way.

The fire demon huffs a little laugh at him saying he will too. ]

Will you? [ Hiei knows where his focus now has to be redirected... and it's at keeping Yukina safe since she is not a fighter. An easy pivot for Hiei's protective instincts regarding her at the very least. ]

Better that than wallowing.

Yeah.

[It's definitely a lie, especially since he feels a part him of slipping once more. When he's not focused on this more antagonistic relationship, his mind slides back, returning to that place where he can only think about the terrible things that just happened. Maybe he should keep on arguing with Hiei then, but he's also exhausted and... Hiei should protect Yukina and his other friends instead of wasting any more time with him.

If he can't do much, he doesn't want to keep someone else behind with him.]

I'm waiting for a friend to come back. [That blue butterfly is still hovering around, signifying that Ange will be back at some point. Scott just keeps his focus on Hiei as long as he can, doing his best not to look at Ryoji or Kotone and have this entire façade crumble.] I'll do something after.

[ Hiei's eyes fall on that butterfly, watching it for a moment. He doesn't know of the association with Ange, despite having met her, but his world has enough of little things like this that he knows it for what it is. Someone is coming back for him, at some point.

It's enough for him, at least somewhat, that he isn't crying on his knees and looking sorry for himself at the moment.

Forgive him if he isn't convinced, but if he has someone coming for him... he should probably get back to Kurama and Yukina. Safety in numbers, and they need to figure out what to do with Yusuke's corpse. ]

Yukina can heal, if needed. [ Yes, he's offering for her, but he has a sneaking suspicion she won't mind. ]

But I'm unwilling to have her travel alone, with things as they are. If it's needed, contact one of us and I will escort her.

[ Not that he doesn't trust Kurama, but... well. Overprotective mode has kicked in. ]

(no subject)

laserguy - 2024-08-25 22:20 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

jaganshi - 2024-08-25 22:39 (UTC) - Expand