Higurashi aftermath

[sharpasafawkes]

[IN OUR LAST EPISODE Shaun and Cesare had a little trip down to the labs, if by "trip" we mean "a magical adventure full of torture-filled antics". Needless to say there's one historian laid up in a hospital bed, more or less asleep and bandaged like you wouldn't believe.]

Comments

[maleborgia]

I can read it. I just don't know what it means. It says *translates it into Italian which, with the translator, puts it in English for Shaun:* man is a hawk to man.

[sharpasafawkes]

It's a warning, he carved it into me when he lost his mind.

[maleborgia]

Oh.

How is it a warning?

[sharpasafawkes]

It's a modified quote, they originally said "wolves", but he changed it a bit.

[Starting to sound less like a emotional wreck, and more... well, morose.]

...you know, I trusted him. Even wanted to tell him about something. I guess it's a good thing I never did, yeah?

[maleborgia]

*considers this for a bit, fairly obviously torn between loyalty to family and sympathy*

...Yes.

[sharpasafawkes]

It's alright, I know you put your family first.

[maleborgia]

*empathetic pettings* It still wasn't very nice.

[sharpasafawkes]

That's just how he is, I don't think he even knows he does it.

[maleborgia]

*with some force* That doesn't matter.

[sharpasafawkes]

Why? And are you sure you're right.

[maleborgia]

If you're telling the truth, then just being a certain way doesn't mean that he has an excuse to be mean. When my dog bites someone he gets punished even though it's in his nature to do so. It's even more so for humans! We're better than animals so we have to act better, too.

[sharpasafawkes]

Try telling that to him, the only reason he said he was sorry was because he wanted to feel better about himself.

[maleborgia]

*frowning as he pets Shaun :( *

How do you know?

[sharpasafawkes]

I've known him for awhile now, we've spent a lot of time together recently, and he shows a lot more of his real personality when you know what to look out for.

[maleborgia]

Oh.

*pauses to read the writing again. not sure how to transform what he said before into a proper apology or denial so Shaun will be wrong about his brother.*

How?

[sharpasafawkes]

There were rumors that he'd be so friendly to the people he was going to catch up in a trap, but I didn't want to believe that, not at first, but now the more I go over it, I can see that's what he wanted to do.

It wasn't always like that though, sometimes he'd be utterly exited and cared about he was saying. I know he meant part of it... just I don't know how much of it's the truth now, and frankly, it's better not to take that sort of risk again. Plus like I said, he uses people even when he doesn't mean to, who knows when I'll get caught up in something just because I've got a talent he needs right about then.

[maleborgia]

Oh. *this isn't exactly the safest way to go from here, but he's curious now* What's your talent?

[sharpasafawkes]

I know how to make connections and see patterns in things...

And I know of two ways that his history might end.

[maleborgia]

Because you're from the future.

He told me about you, too.

[sharpasafawkes]

Aside from my research, how useless did he say I was?

[maleborgia]

He never said you were useless.

He did say you were smart. And sometimes said mean things, but that I shouldn't worry about it.

[sharpasafawkes]

[Closing his eyes again, keeping something down.]

So it wasn't always bad, at least I know that now.

[maleborgia]

*had paused in the petting for a while but starts it up again, thinking quietly*

[sharpasafawkes]

[A pause, not sure if he should say it but]

...I don't think I hate him though, I mean I could if he knew he was doing it all the time, but he's not. I mean look at you, I don't think he intended to use you to try and smooth things over, but he'll take advantage of everything he's got available.

[maleborgia]

*confused and a little hurt :< *

I don't understand.