[006]Voice

[likeafirework]

[He's tired, he's cranky, and if he ever sees another butterfly again, it'll be too soon. At least they're easy to kill. But, judging by the posts he's seen in the journal, not everyone is making out as well as he is. Idiots.]

If anyone needs shelter in this area, Community Building 5 is safe.

[And that would be because he's checking every

Comments

[action]

[outwalks]

[ As it happens, Allen is in the area-looking for Hitsugaya, at that. ]

Sir.

[action]

[likeafirework]

[He makes sure there's no butterflies in the immediate area before turning his attention to the newcomer.]

Hitsugaya. [Although "sir" does actually have a nice ring to it.]

[action]

[outwalks]

Hitsugaya, then.

[ His expression doesn't flicker, utterly colourless. ]

Are you doing all right in this area?

[action]

[likeafirework]

So far. Excuse me. [And he half-turns to throw a quick, fiery spell at a stray Tease getting a little too close to his perimeter. The spells are getting just a little weaker as time goes by and the aim is just a little to the left, but fire is fire.]

[He turns back to Allen.] How's the rest of this place faring? I haven't left this area.

[action]

[outwalks]

People are managing. There's been a new wave, but it doesn't seem as large as the first.

[action]

[likeafirework]

Good. [His motivations aren't completely selfish -- he really does care to keep people safe -- but pushing through the exhaustion is getting. so. tiresome. You have any idea how long this might last?

[action]

[outwalks]

. . . If you need the reinforcement, I can ask others to come and help.

[ Allen's expression is perfectly even, and the non-answer is probably answer enough. A day ago, he would have known, but who knows how many have been infested now? ]

[action]

[likeafirework]

[Allen gets a sharp look at that, and an even sharper nod. Right, then. He has no idea.]

I've seen others around here fighting them off. [Pause. He hates to admit it, especially to someone he doesn't know at all, but... He glances at the building. Right. Self-appointed responsibility.]

I was trying to sleep off whatever the Malnosso gave me when these things showed up. [There; unspoken admittal of exhaustion. Best he can do.]

[action]

[outwalks]

Rest, then. The square was cleared last night. They'll be able to spare a few people.

[action]

[likeafirework]

[There's a moment when Hitsugaya simply looks at Allen, eyes narrowed a bit. An order to rest is hardly taken well, but even he knows he can only do so much.]

I'll give it another hour, just to secure things. [And then he'll do his level best to only rest a short amount of time. Just in case.]

[action]

[outwalks]

[ Except Allen's on edge-restless and unsettled with something he can't even begin to express. It comes out mostly as tension in his voice. ]

It won't do any good if you break down later. I can stand guard until someone arrives.

[action]

[likeafirework]

[Hitsugaya pauses, just because he's bristling at the tension and even he knows that's just exhaustion reacting. He takes a breath, pushes it down, and... when that doesn't work, he turns his attention to setting one of the damn Tease on fire, fluttering just on the edge of his range. That worked much better.]

I won't. There's someone here I can count on. [Somewhere. He actually hasn't seen her in a bit, but he's really not worried.] You go to where you're really needed. Send someone this way and I'll hand it over then.

[action]

[outwalks]

[ How good a liar is Hitsugaya? Good enough to lie about a second? It doesn't seem so. Abruptly Allen feels very tired again, but suppresses it with a stiff nod. ]

Fine.

[action]

[likeafirework]

[He's a pretty... fail liar, really. He bristles again, then closes his eyes for a moment and sighs. Kill butterflies. Don't yell at people. It's a plan.]

Go, then. Send someone this way.

[action]

[outwalks]

[ He nods again, then starts to walk away with only the slightest give of hesitation. ]

It won't be much longer.

[action]

[likeafirework]

[There's no more answer than a nod before Hitsugaya goes back to scanning the perimeter for the Tease. Maybe later, when he's not exhausted, he'll remember to say thank you. Then again, he might not. It is Hitsugaya, after all.]