Audience: Mineo Enomoto

[probe]

Comments

[sengokus]

.... because you were looking for it.

[and he bows his head]

I'm sorry I didn't get it back to you sooner, or in a better state.

[there's not much that he can personally claim credit for but - it still sucks, to know that he's failed someone even if he's just the messenger]

[probe]

Don't apologize to me. It's not you that destroyed it.

[mineo is a weenie, pride doesn't think he'd smush it and blame it on douman.]

[sengokus]

[he is a weenie but listen,]

No, but...

I don't like to see anyone upset about something either. Is there anything I can do to help, now that I'm here?

[probe]

[flatly:]

I don't want your pity.

[sengokus]

[blinking in surprise]

Well that's good, 'cause I don't really give out pity.

[probe]

I don't need anything.

[they have their pride.]

[sengokus]

If you're sure then. You can let me know if you change your mind.

[he tilts his head]

But... I guess I need to ask something then - I know that Takeru got something in exchange for returning an item last time.

Is the state of the rose why there's no exchange? Or is it because Ashiya-san wasn't the one to return it, and they went on the adventure?

[probe]

[there is - a pause, as pride slowly looks up at mineo.]

Both. [there is a very soft, very... simmering sort of anger in their tone.] I'm impressed that you'd boldly lie like that.

[sengokus]

[ . . . . he blinks in confusion.]

I did?

[probe]

You came here for a gift, not to return this out of the goodness of your heart.

[sengokus]

[that

startles him more than a little, making him blink owlishly a few more times]

Um... no.

[and he shakes his head]

I know that you can't really believe me because that's probably the easier thing to think about someone who hasn't talked to you before...

But I was asking because it's better to know if anyone gets trapped somewhere in the future. To be careful with what they find, and to get it to you as soon as possible before they.... [might die]

That's what I wanted to check.

[probe]

Do you expect me to be as stupid as everybody else who buys the hapless do-gooder act?

You return this, something - important. You can't fathom how important. [there's a glint of fangs from inside the hood.] And then can't wait more than two seconds to ask after what you're getting for it.

Leave me alone.

[sengokus]

[he flinches a little bit at that before rubbing the back of his neck]

That's not...

I'm not acting, and I don't think you're stupid.. I didn't mean to offend you, Pride-san, and I'm sorry that I chose a bad question at a bad time.

[but he can't really say sorry for asking it, when it feels like something important to know]

But I don't want you to think that I just came here because I wanted something from you either.

[probe]

[they just stonewall him, turning around with the rose in hand, wheezes i'm sorry mineo]

[sengokus]

[ . . . . noooooooooo he will just continue to shift a little awkwardly.]

... Pride-san....

[ . . . . ]

I really am sorry.

Is there something I can do to make it up to you...? I don't think there's anything you could really need from me... [he's not the Avatar here] but I want you to know I'm serious.

[so maybe to prove that he doesn't want anything from pride, maybe he can try to do something to make up for it???? he's at least stubborn]

[probe]

Leave me alone.

[it's a snarl - and with it comes a debilitating headache, which will last for five minutes before letting up. when mineo can see straight again, pride is gone.]