" then stay here, by my side. i won't let anyone -- human or demon -- get close to you. "
he softens his voice, now that baby looks scared away from the idea of defying him.
“I’m not! I’m very grateful for everything you’ve done for me. I’m out of sorts.”
Baby will stop talking now. He only seems to be angering the other with what he’s saying.
" when have i ever called you a burden? "
the flames retreat, offering a place for baby to rest.
" if you keep this up, i might assume that you're ungrateful for what i'm offering you. and if that's the case, i can always take back the offer. "
Baby bowed lightly where he sat kneeling, nodding his head.
“I know, Gwi-Ma. I am sorry I cannot continue… maybe once I am back to my normal self. But… stay here? I would not want to be a burden, I can continue in the humans realm. I can hunt, I just…”
he didn’t know. _
" stay here while you recover. you'll learn how to hunt later. "
gwi-ma chooses to soften his voice. the flames, while keeping a safe distance, reach out towards baby.
+
Baby nodded and slowly lent up, pushing himself from the floor so he just sat kneeling. He wiped his face, nodding softly, taking a deep breath to try and calm himself down. Gwi-Ma’s words did give him some comfort, which was surprising.
“Yes, Gwi-Ma. Sorry, Gwi-Ma. You can _
" someone else will take your place and harvest those souls in your place. i'm not replacing you as my most trusted ally. "
unless he fails to get enough souls.
gwi-ma leaves out that last part, but lets the weight of the threat cling on.
+
The idea of being replaced, paired with the pain he was in, brought tears to his eyes. He remained bowed, trying to subtly use his sleeve to wipe his face.
“Please, Gwi-Ma,” he said again, voice a whisper, agreeing to being replaced and taught. He felt useless, like he was a_
+
" you know there are very few demons who can do what you do. but if you don't mind me finding another demon who can,
i can teach you how to hunt the 'proper' way. "
a thick fog of silence settles between them. the roar of gwi-ma's flames soften as he listens to baby's pleas.
while his pain sounded genuine and would've moved a kinder spirit, gwi-ma's concern is practical.
+
When Baby felt the tug on his patterns, he braced himself, but was still wildly unprepared for being thrown against the pillar.
He hit it with a grunt, falling to the floor in a pile of clothes and skinny limbs. He took a moment to breathe, but his back hurt so much now. Being_
" i would expect this behaviour from jinu, but not you. "
the flames arch into a frown at baby's little outburst. yanking at the patterns, he throws baby against a pillar.
" as much as i like you, i must maintain my rules. behave hostile, you get treated like one. "
Baby lifted his head, glaring daggers at Gwi-Ma.
“I took a break after I harvested a thousand souls in a day. /Forgive me/ if it was a well deserved break,” he’s full of sarcasm after Gwi-Ma got snarky at him.
It was a mistake coming here. He turned on his heel to leave.
_
" you can't put in the effort to come up with an idea yourself? "
the harsh edge of the voices sharpen.
" at the very least, you work until you can think of something worthwhile. the steps to my throne need that work. "
gwi-ma stalls, letting the confusion and dread linger in baby's brain. good, let him fear the worst. even the most loyal demon can find a way to torture themselves with their own thoughts.
" you'll see. "
an uneasy silence settles between them, interrupted by
+
Baby glared down at the ground, his eyebrows raised before looking back up again.
For a moment he considered talking back, calling Gwi-Ma out on whatever it is that this was, but he didn't.
He leaned down, picking up one of the folded Papers and gave Yu-Mi +
+
the crackling of flames. the magenta light casts harsh shadows on the two demons before him. one confused...
... and one hiding the same confusion. unlike baby, yu-mi doesn't ask questions: instead, they pick up the other square in silence and stand across from baby.
+