Closed RP: Hakkai and Sanzo

[worldly_monk]

Things at Hogwarts seemed to have quieted down a little in the last week. Apparently the 'Holiday Season' madness was over. Even so, habit had brought Sanzo to a vacant classroom in an isolated part of the castle so he could get some reading done

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[polite_sinner]

When Sanzo narrowed his eyes, Hakkai half-expected the monk to make some angry, frustrated comment and explain just how little he liked his fellow monks, the exact location of where they could put their trivial problems and official matters, and that Hakkai ought to mind his own business. And when Hakkai's expectations weren't exactly met, he smiled a little to himself and chalked it up as a sign of Sanzo's growing patience since he had arrived at Hogwarts (he was so proud).

"I see," Hakkai said slowly, though he wasn't entirely sure if he did. Something about Sanzo's hesitance just showed Hakkai that he really shouldn't pursue the topic. Offering a vague, good-natured smile, he asked a little teasingly, "Most monks just use incense while they're meditating, don't they?" After Sanzo asked his questions, Hakkai gave him a stare of mock sternness and annoyance. "Have I ever tried smoking, do you mean?" For a moment, the look on his face made it seem as though he had no intention of dignifying those questions with an answer, but eventually he cracked a patient smile and nodded. "I have, actually. And every once in a while, I suppose I do indulge in the habit -- but only rarely." Like when he had to pose for art books. "I'm afraid I'm not really a fan of Gojyo's brand, however." Hakkai raised an eyebrow at the monk, as though daring him to make some negative comment.

"Goodness, it seems there will be quite a bit of research in our future. I suppose it's inevitable, isn't it?" Hakkai made a show of heaving a long sigh. "Naturally, this would all be as much for their safety as our own. It's for the best. It would be best to minimize any collateral damage beforehand, really, don't you think?"

[worldly_monk]

"Hn. Cigarettes are cheaper than incense." Sanzo was relieved that Hakkai wasn't asking more questions. He tried not to think about those years too much. He didn't like remembering how close he had been to breaking down. The memories were shoved away again, and Sanzo focused on Hakkai's admission instead. It was good to know that Hakkai did indulge himself in a vice or two now and then. Actually, the idea of Hakkai smoking wasn't hard to imagine at all. It seemed almost familiar, even though Sanzo couldn't remember ever seeing Hakkai with a cigarette in his hand. "Yeah, Gojyo's brand sucks." He gestured towards his cigarettes. "I'd offer you mine instead, but I wouldn't want to tempt you to indulge yourself too much." There was a bit of a challenge in his eyes as he looked back at Hakkai.

"I think 'minimizing damage' is a lost cause when it comes to those two." Sanzo pretended to consider the idea seriously. "Maybe we should keep this to ourselves and not let Gojyo know. We wouldn't want to accidentally encourage him to find inappropriate ways to use magic, would we?" And Sanzo certainly wouldn't be leaving any spell books lying around where Gojyo might see one of those inappropriate spells and possibly get ideas.

[polite_sinner]

"Ah, I see," Hakkai said blandly, though he had a vaguely playful smile on his lips. "So you're keeping the temple's economic interests in mind? How thoughtful! I think that incense smells a little better, but I imagine that's just my personal preference." He laughed at the monk's straightforward assessment of Gojyo's brand and a replied a little more diplomatically, "I'm not sure if it, ah, sucks, necessarily, but they didn't exactly suit my tastes." Raising an eyebrow again at Sanzo's silent challenge, Hakkai smiled pleasantly at him and said, "That's very considerate of you, Sanzo. Even if I did want a cigarette, I certainly wouldn't want to impose on you and ask for one of yours."

Hakkai held back a grin and assumed an air of solemnity. "That would be best, I think. We should keep it between us in order to preemptively protect Gojyo from harming himself unknowingly. In any case, it would be quite irresponsible of us and of him if we allowed him to learn magic for the express purpose of pulling pranks or simply winning an argument."

[worldly_monk]

"You didn't spend most of your life in a temple. I've had enough of incense." Sanzo looked amused at Hakkai's diplomacy. "I think I could spare one for you now and then," he replied. "You don't ask for much for yourself, do you?" It was closer to a statement than a question.

Sanzo laughed quietly, but then he thought of something else. His look changed to one of exasperation. "On second thought, maybe we really shouldn't give him any ideas. Since Goku isn't here, Gojyo would only have two possible targets, and I don't think he'd go after you."

[polite_sinner]

"Ah, right, I can see why you'd be tired of them." Hakkai gave Sanzo a Look, and despite the vaguely challenging edge to his expression, he seemed mostly amused. "I suppose I can take you up on that offer -- every now and then, of course." He smiled a little and shrugged. "I imagine there's not much I want, really. Do you think that it's a sign of contentment?"

Hakki nodded with an air of false understanding. "I see. . . So your survival instinct overpowers the desire for mischief?" He kept the serious look on his face for a moment longer before laughing as well. "I imagine you'll still try to think of something else, won't you?"

[worldly_monk]

Sanzo gave Hakkai a searching look. "Contentment, or just self-denial." He suspected that Hakkai didn't ask for things because sometimes he didn't think he really deserved anything. Sanzo would disagree, but it wasn't his opinion that mattered.

One eyebrow went up in response to Hakkai's laughter. "Mm. That would be telling." He glanced out the windows, trying to gauge the time. "It's getting late. Maybe we should go find something to eat."

[polite_sinner]

Hakkai blinked at Sanzo, initially puzzled by the scrutinizing look he was receiving from the monk. After he spoke, Hakkai flinched -- not in a way that would have been noticeable to a casual observer, but was probably glaringly obvious to anyone who had grown accustomed to his mannerisms, -- and attempted to cover it by shaking his head. "It's not very fair putting it that way, is it?" He gave Sanzo a distant smile and glanced down at his hands.

"Ah, that would probably be best," he said lightly, and he stood up from his seat, his customary smile back on his face as he picked up the books from Sanzo he had brought into the room with him. "I'm sure they'll have something in the Great Hall around this time, wouldn't they?"