[Hikaru blinks once, twice, a third time, each slowly.]
Oh. Okay.
[He can't think of anything else to say about that, and it isn't like Kamo would be willing to answer any questions. Sometimes, he gets these small glimpses of what lies beneath Kamo's steely exterior... the peculiar parts of himself that believe he's worthy of scorn and censure. Hikaru wasn't hired to do more than protect Kamo from bandits, assassins, and all manner of monsters, but he finds himself wanting to do more than that. Even when arguing with Kamo, often resorting to insults, he thinks of Kamo as one of the most intelligent, quick-witted people he's ever met. Not stupid. Not an idiot. Not foolish, either, and definitely not someone who fails to think things through. Just an incredible person who improves the world by being in it. That's what he wants to say to Kamo.
...He must have a serious head injury if his thoughts are careening off on this dangerous, unacceptable tangent. His gaze, too, is growing more unfocused by the moment, yet it's strangely luminous, as he stares at Kamo like he would the north star. There's a swell of blood spreading into his mouth, making him wonder if this is what it feels like to die. It's a lot more painful than he hoped it would be.]
Are you going to... [Lying on his back causes something in his abdomen to stretch tight and burn--it's a torn muscle, if he had to guess. It prompts another misty, spluttery cough, blood meeting blood, a groan behind his teeth.] Y-Your magic, you're going to use that on me? [Before this assignment, his exposure to magic was incidental at best, just something foreign to be regarded with suspicion. He has always preferred to use his hands, or a handy weapon, to accomplish what he wants, rather than relying on an otherworldly force. Even now, bleeding out as he is, he regards Kamo warily. His face has gone pale under all that slime and dirt...
Finally:] Is it truly that bad? [he asks on an exhale, and he wonders if he might have failed the mission in his own way. He wasn't supposed to become a burden for Kamo-no-Akira, especially when Kamo-no-Akira is carrying the weight of the realm on his shoulders. If Hikaru is worth his pay in copper coins, he should be able to get back onto his own two feet. He's already starting to try to sit up again.]
no subject
Oh. Okay.
[He can't think of anything else to say about that, and it isn't like Kamo would be willing to answer any questions. Sometimes, he gets these small glimpses of what lies beneath Kamo's steely exterior... the peculiar parts of himself that believe he's worthy of scorn and censure. Hikaru wasn't hired to do more than protect Kamo from bandits, assassins, and all manner of monsters, but he finds himself wanting to do more than that. Even when arguing with Kamo, often resorting to insults, he thinks of Kamo as one of the most intelligent, quick-witted people he's ever met. Not stupid. Not an idiot. Not foolish, either, and definitely not someone who fails to think things through. Just an incredible person who improves the world by being in it. That's what he wants to say to Kamo.
...He must have a serious head injury if his thoughts are careening off on this dangerous, unacceptable tangent. His gaze, too, is growing more unfocused by the moment, yet it's strangely luminous, as he stares at Kamo like he would the north star. There's a swell of blood spreading into his mouth, making him wonder if this is what it feels like to die. It's a lot more painful than he hoped it would be.]
Are you going to... [Lying on his back causes something in his abdomen to stretch tight and burn--it's a torn muscle, if he had to guess. It prompts another misty, spluttery cough, blood meeting blood, a groan behind his teeth.] Y-Your magic, you're going to use that on me? [Before this assignment, his exposure to magic was incidental at best, just something foreign to be regarded with suspicion. He has always preferred to use his hands, or a handy weapon, to accomplish what he wants, rather than relying on an otherworldly force. Even now, bleeding out as he is, he regards Kamo warily. His face has gone pale under all that slime and dirt...
Finally:] Is it truly that bad? [he asks on an exhale, and he wonders if he might have failed the mission in his own way. He wasn't supposed to become a burden for Kamo-no-Akira, especially when Kamo-no-Akira is carrying the weight of the realm on his shoulders. If Hikaru is worth his pay in copper coins, he should be able to get back onto his own two feet. He's already starting to try to sit up again.]