felinguistic | (no subject)

[ after a moment, shiraishi just exhales, a little sharply. ]

That's a little much coming from someone claiming to be a sword who looks human.

[ slowly, he slips his hands into the lab coat he's wearing. tucking them away like it'll tuck away any questions, or probing actions. ]

...

You know you're not responsible for other's actions, right? [ it's... not an attempt to be sympathetic. it might even come out a little awkwardly, like it's not sure what it is. ]

It was not an admonishment, you know.

[just an observation - one of those things that higekiri is learning about shiraishi. because they're friends.

though the question manages to get higekiri to pause. and it takes him time to speak, but when he does, it's a bit more tenuous. like he's losing grasp on his normally even, airy tone]

... he told me before that he constantly felt unsafe, and fearful of the future. But that if he ever became a danger to others, then he asked that I be the one to strike him down. I agreed.

If he truly was a demon...

I was late.

[he is responsible, for not being at dimitri's side]

...

We don't know what happened. For the moment, he's missing until we prove anything substantial. [ not that. you know. it seems good right now? ]

...

If he was a demon, then yes. You might have been late. But far as we're aware, no one else is missing, so he didn't get the chance to take anyone else out.

... he wouldn't part with that dagger by choice. If he is not dead, then he is abducted and taken somewhere that I cannot find him, injured. If that is the alternative, so be it, but then I must continue looking until I have searched every last room I can access and then the ones I cannot.

[every time that someone suggests that dimitri might not be dead - higekiri isn't fond of the remaining options either.]

But if everyone else is accounted for...

That means he is alone - or was, at the end.

[if higekiri was not at his side]

If he was afraid of hurting people, and potentially a demon, then he managed not to kill anyone else.

[ ... that's the take-away he's getting from this. that dimitri was afraid of what could be done if he wasn't himself. ]

None of the previously locked rooms are open?

... perhaps so. Objectively, I know this to be the truth. And yet, knowing that he may have suffered along the way, without a friend...

[ . . . that's less easy for him to accept]

Some of them are opening up each week - but I don't have time to wait for them to open the easy way if I'm meant to be looking for him.

Are you going to take that on your shoulders and cripple yourself in the process?

[ it's said with a questioning air. ]

You won't find him at all if you force a door and get stuck yourself. Or are you planning on making everyone else here search for you as well?

[there's a tilt of his head at that before higekiri shakes his head]

No - I will not break.

[it's impressive the certainty that he has when he says it]

I will not be of use to anyone, should I break.

Human bodies break easily.

[ the certainty is all well and good, to a point. ]

Keep an eye on that, if you plan on pushing yourself to your limit.

[ . . . he supposes they do. given his own injuries now, they ache just a little bit at the reminder]

... you're not a doctor, are you?

No, I work in forensics.

I don't know what that means.

[he's rather open about that]

But I wonder if it has anything to do with why you seem concerned with me.

Not at all. It's the application of science to criminal investigation.

[ haha. ]

Concern is a strong word. Just try not to stumble into something that causes you and all of us more troubles.

[there's a beat, and then a tilt of his head]

... you are one of those humans who would prefer not to make attachments, correct? Or who does not know how to express kindness, or reach out to others, and so you do so in your own brusque way.

Are you trying some psychology now as well? That's a part of forensics as well, to a point. Maybe you should think about a career change.

I don't know what psychology is either.

[to be honest, but regardless higekiri's expression settles into something a little fond and a little ancient]

I think I just know humans rather well.

It's not a mentality that I find that far from my own either...

Scientific study of the human mind.

[ he just tilts his head at him, eyes thoughtful. ]

Humans are both unique, but also paint themselves with the same brush too often. Like sheep, herding themselves around.

Is there a reason why you speak like you're not among them?

No.

[ hmm hmm ]

Speaking from a detached, scientific standpoint.