[ video ] ► one

[unorthodoxies]

[ Apparently, the screen of the Forge makes for a good cosmetic mirror. The star of the video feed primps their hair, working volume back into the blond mass of curls, bats their eyelashes, and inspects the thin line of a gash that graces the right side of their face with a careful brush of lacquered fingernails. Defined bone structure, full lips,

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[alldevouring]

[Blood? Excuse Hotaru, she'll be forgetting everything you say and focus on that.]

Oh, no! You're not hurt, too, are you?

[unorthodoxies]

Hurt? Me? No, not a chance, girlie.

[ Sure, he had been, but the vast majority of his injuries have long since healed themselves. ]

So there's no need to frown, all right?

oh right. video;

[alldevouring]

[This only causes Hotaru to frown deeper -- now she realizes what he means.]

O- oh. I think most people come here alone.

video;

[unorthodoxies]

[ Wait - what did he say wrong? Man, this is why he hates kids. And such a cute little thing has no business frowning, in the first place. ]

So I've gathered. Suits me just fine, though. Being alone, that is. Can't be slowed down by anyone else, that way.

video;

[alldevouring]

[Ah, the loss of bravado. She'll just continue staring at her lap in the meantime. For a moment, anyway.]

It... doesn't bother you? Um, that's good.

May I ask where that blood came from?

video; 1/2

[unorthodoxies]

Got knocked around by some asshole before arriving here. Some of it's mine-

[ And he allows himself a small moment of smug satisfaction. ]

-but some of it's theirs, too. I've got a habit of giving as good as I get.

video;

[unorthodoxies]

Why should I let something like that bother me?

video;

[alldevouring]

[Hotaru studies him; the blood stains aren't fresh, so it had to happen recently. So that must only mean...

The way she says it and her expression on her face.]

Mm. I see. So, it's gone now, then? It healed?

video;

[unorthodoxies]

[ He notes that change of demeanor in passing, cataloging it away for later. If there will be a later. ]

You bet. Lacerations are an easy fix; it's the internal injuries that you've gotta watch out for.

[ Like fractured ribs. Geeze. ]

What else do you know about healing, sweetheart?

video;

[alldevouring]

[She hesitates, it's at the tip of her tongue, Hotaru falters.]

Well... I- I certainly can't heal like that, myself but.

I can-

I can heal others.

video;

[unorthodoxies]

Others, but not yourself, huh?

[ Interesting. ]

It's best to save an ability like that for people who are actually in need. Who knows what kinda trouble you could find yourself in, otherwise.

video;

[alldevouring]

[It feels as if she said too much, but he had blood on his shirt. Hotaru, after all, just wanted to make sure. There is some solidarity with unusual abilities, on the other hand. She acts as if she said something offensive, something that was horrible. Maybe it was better not to mention it?]

Mm. I am... not certain if I can, you see. I'm frail.

[Hotaru could almost shrug when she says this:]

It doesn't matter, there are other people worse off than me.

video;

[unorthodoxies]

Frail, indeed.

[ He sighs, but only because if he hadn't, he might've laughed. And who in their right mind would be (overly) cruel to a little miss when she's just put herself out there, on the metaphorical chopping block? ]

And some kind of saint, to boot. Have you got a name?

[ It might be worth remembering. ]

video;

[alldevouring]

[Well, it certainly doesn't help her self-confidence, that's for certain.]

No. Of course not.

Tomoe Hotaru is my name. And you...?

video;

[unorthodoxies]

Benten.

[ A pause. ]

Just Benten. And though it's been a pleasure, Hotaru-chan, I can't afford to stick around and chat for much longer. There's still a chance the guy I'm looking for is around here, somewhere.

[ But in a form he hadn't described to the public. Goddamn cops, and goddamn wolves. Urgh. This is giving him a headache. ]

video;

[alldevouring]

[Hotaru doubts he'll find who he's looking for, but-]

Of course, Benten-san.