Belphegor, there is something I would like to talk to you about. It is not important, but it is important for you to know that I think it is not important. Because we've all made mistakes. Even very big mistakes, and whatever might have happened between you and Hiro is something I am not concerned about. I understand that this sort of thing happens, and I am not upset.
That's all. If this has been upsetting you then it has been needlessly.
[There's a long, long pause before she answers this message. Probably because she played it a couple of times to ensure that she was understanding it correctly]
What was said exactly doesn't matter. I'd actually prefer not to linger on it. We should allow our relationship to progress without the shadow of your past exploits weighing on our minds.
No, I think I'd like to hear what you've heard. And from who.
[because spelling the name correctly when she potentially enters it onto her shitlist is important, as is knowing whether or not to break out the red ink.]
[He responds fairly quickly to her tone, as it... seems prudent. Even though he sounds a bit mystified, as to why. He's being very generous, offering to forgive her, after all.]
He said that you were "all over him." I'm not jealous. I am sure that you were insecure at a vulnerable time.
[She'd never been told Hiro's full name before, and she hadn't pegged him as someone who would lie behind her back...especially when he'd seemed so eager to make amends after their rocky introduction. What did he possibly think he was going to gain telling people things like that? For as populated as it was, Johto was still a pretty small world when all was said and done...it would have gotten back to her eventually]
And there's no reason you ought to be jealous. That never happened.
[Very stupidly, Hiro had told the Man Who Doesn't Forget his full name. But L seems... actually really thrilled that it didn't happen. His eyes light up, and he could pass for cheerful.]
[...she pauses to entertain whether or not she really wants to try and explain this over voicemails or not. The subject of Hiro has the potential to sound a lot worse than it is without the benefit of face-to-face conversation.]
I'm not upset. [A little terse, maybe, and thinking when she sees a certain someone again she's going to hold him at the end of whatever sharp object happens to be handy and ask him a few questions...
...but upset? Nah.]
I just think this is a conversation we ought to be having in person, that's all. I'll be there shortly.
[The trip up the elevator and down the hallway, at least, seems to have given her time to get her ruffled composure back in order by the time a knock sounds on his door.
...though she lingers a bit further backward than one ordinarily would wait to be let in, anticipating Slightly trying to play bouncer again]
[Slightly, fortunately, is shut away in a drawer. With two of L's shirts wrapped tightly around the pokeball housing him.
Inside the room, L's Rotom and Drifloon are sharing a Happy Donut (in Wiredrawn's words), and his Ninetales and Froslass seem to be involved in a conversation. He opens the door to allow Belphegor entry.]
You know... we share the room. You didn't need to knock, have you forgotten your key...?
[Even though Belphegor is polite and usually knocks, L needs SOMETHING to comment on.]
[Sharing was a generous term for it...as she still stayed primarily with her sisters, though had been given permission (and her own key) to share Ryuzaki's room for the duration of their stay in Violet if she liked. Between her own obligations and a certain Gengar's way of leaving no grey area whatsoever about his antagonism toward her, however, it was not an invitation she had been able to take him up on very much.]
No, I have it with me. [she says, noting that the natives seem content today with no immediate threat of screaming Gengars in her face as she steps across the threshold and offers him a reassuring smile.]
[Part of L's social blindness was his tendency to often take things for more than they were. In his mind, he was indeed staying with Belphegor. Even if it wasn't for the majority of the time.
He stares at her face, at her smile, before hesitantly returning it. She doesn't look mad.]
Don't worry so much about letting yourself in. The worst that could happen is that I am changing my clothes or getting out of the shower, isn't it? And you've seen me without my clothes before, or as close as no matter...
[He needn't have worried. Her upset was not directed at him...or rather, he'd neatly dodged that bullet by not persisting in the idea Hiro might be telling the truth and trying to drag a confession out of her that simply wasn't here.
Her smile falters a bit at his statement, though.
Not entirely. She had not seen him entirely disrobed, as Slightly had not let her anywhere near him after he'd taken over washing duties and had eventually buffaloed her into leaving the room completely. It wasn't as if she'd never seen a naked man before...though Beatrice leading a broken and pummeled Battler around on a chain to gloat over her victory, or the Ushiromiya men going about their business behind closed doors was not quite the same thing as prospectively barging in on someone she considered close to her.]
I'll keep it in mind. [she assures him nonetheless, hesitating and then deciding she really ought to get to the point of her visit.]
Had Hiro been talking to you for long before all of this...?
That's all. If this has been upsetting you then it has been needlessly.
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What, exactly, have you been told, Ryuzaki?
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No, I think I'd like to hear what you've heard. And from who.
[because spelling the name correctly when she potentially enters it onto her shitlist is important, as is knowing whether or not to break out the red ink.]
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[He responds fairly quickly to her tone, as it... seems prudent. Even though he sounds a bit mystified, as to why. He's being very generous, offering to forgive her, after all.]
He said that you were "all over him." I'm not jealous. I am sure that you were insecure at a vulnerable time.
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And there's no reason you ought to be jealous. That never happened.
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It didn't? Really? I... that's great!
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[...she pauses to entertain whether or not she really wants to try and explain this over voicemails or not. The subject of Hiro has the potential to sound a lot worse than it is without the benefit of face-to-face conversation.]
Where are you right now?
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I'm in our room... why do you ask? Are you upset?
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...but upset? Nah.]
I just think this is a conversation we ought to be having in person, that's all. I'll be there shortly.
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[He hangs up, glancing uncertainly at his Ninetales. She talks through him.]
"Dearest, you should perhaps ensure that Slightly is occupied elsewhere."
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...though she lingers a bit further backward than one ordinarily would wait to be let in, anticipating Slightly trying to play bouncer again]
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Inside the room, L's Rotom and Drifloon are sharing a Happy Donut (in Wiredrawn's words), and his Ninetales and Froslass seem to be involved in a conversation. He opens the door to allow Belphegor entry.]
You know... we share the room. You didn't need to knock, have you forgotten your key...?
[Even though Belphegor is polite and usually knocks, L needs SOMETHING to comment on.]
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No, I have it with me. [she says, noting that the natives seem content today with no immediate threat of screaming Gengars in her face as she steps across the threshold and offers him a reassuring smile.]
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He stares at her face, at her smile, before hesitantly returning it. She doesn't look mad.]
Don't worry so much about letting yourself in. The worst that could happen is that I am changing my clothes or getting out of the shower, isn't it? And you've seen me without my clothes before, or as close as no matter...
[Said without the barest hint of a blush.]
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Her smile falters a bit at his statement, though.
Not entirely. She had not seen him entirely disrobed, as Slightly had not let her anywhere near him after he'd taken over washing duties and had eventually buffaloed her into leaving the room completely. It wasn't as if she'd never seen a naked man before...though Beatrice leading a broken and pummeled Battler around on a chain to gloat over her victory, or the Ushiromiya men going about their business behind closed doors was not quite the same thing as prospectively barging in on someone she considered close to her.]
I'll keep it in mind. [she assures him nonetheless, hesitating and then deciding she really ought to get to the point of her visit.]
Had Hiro been talking to you for long before all of this...?
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