Belph

[concasse]

Will put in some meme here later

Comments

[concasse]

Nothing concrete. My ability could lead everyone on a wild goose chase if I wanted to waste time.

[... Frowning]

The problem is the duels. To ensure someone innocent doesn't die, I'd have to pin the killing on me... but if I get saddled with someone who refuses to lift a finger, we both go.

[axilium]

... Yeah. That part's a problem.

Is it cruel to say that after going through one round of this, I kind of hope that they'd have learned to deal?

[concasse]

You know as well as I do that we don't have time to coddle everyone.

[Evan's dead. He didn't deserve what happened to him, but he's gone. No one else gets a free pass, as far as Sanji's concerned]

Especially with the new rules. If there really is only one team that can win, we've got a problem.

[axilium]

... The important thing is if we can find a way to revive everyone after the "competition". If we can, then... well, we know from experience that it doesn't really matter how many of us dies.

[as cold as it sounds.]

But not every place had that option, it seems, so we can't count on that as a guarantee.

[concasse]

... Which place didn't have the revival option?

[It was stupid of him to assume, but... Sanji really did think that everyone got their happy ending]

[axilium]

Demon boat.

[concasse]

[And it's official, Sanji never wants to go there.

He hisses a sigh through his teeth]

So you're telling me that those bastards were meant to die and not come back?

[axilium]

Something like that, from what I gather.

[...]

The number of killing games where the dead did come back vastly outnumbers it, but... it's something to keep in mind.

[concasse]

... Aa. No guarantees then.

[That's... hard to say, hard to swallow. But they don't have the luxury of turning a blind eye to that possibility]

Oi, are you, Steph-chan, and Hikage all on the same team? I don't need the color, just...

[Give him a sense of the potential mess]

[axilium]

... No. All three of us are on different teams.

[haha!]

[concasse]

... Sorry, Belph.

[axilium]

[he shrugs.]

... It's not ideal, but I braced myself for this kind of thing back in the castle.

[concasse]

I know, but...

[He's still unhappy hearing this shit, and his features set into concern]

Well, we'll just. keep it in mind. There's no guarantee that the rule about one team winning will pan out, or even what that entails.

[axilium]

If it follows the pattern of other places, there's either a hidden catch or a better ending. We'll just have to see what it is.

[...]

This isn't really relevant, but got some time?

[concasse]

... Yeah, sure.

[Looking briefly surprised because Belph rarely asks anything of him that isn't work-related, so.]

What do you need?

[axilium]

Mind sparring with me for a bit? Not really my idea of a fun time, but given our situation, I figure it's not a good idea for my lessons back in the castle to go to waste.

And I used my ability earlier, and it turns out that giving up my sense of touch means I don't feel any pain either, so hey, now's as good of a time as any to get beaten up.

[concasse]

[... Sighing loudly]

Fine, I'm in. You remember how I fight though, right?

[axilium]

Vaguely. It'll be a change of pace?

[concasse]

["Vaguely"

oh dear, Sanji has a concern]

Well, before we start... keep my way of fighting to yourself for now, could ya? I don't think even the people from the castle know.

[More to the point, they have no idea how Sanji uh... murdered half of their ranks]

I expect shit to get ugly while we're here, so the more aces I got up my sleeves, the better.

[axilium]

[listen belph wasn't taking notes on how sanji killed people, he had his hands full with his stabby partner]

I assume it won't be a lot of fun to be on the receiving end, but that's also why I'm asking while I can't feel shit anyway.

But roger that.

[concasse]

[Whelp.

Time to find a spot so Sanji can literally kick his ass. Jesus. He still has so many fears. AND ALSO--]

How much fighting can you do? You know any basic self-defense?

[axilium]

Took lessons from Steph and Shirasu back in the castle. Can't say I'm an expert, but I know the basics.

[concasse]

... Alright.

Let's try this.

I want you to try and dodge. Do it however you like, but the goal is to avoid my attack, even if that means laying me out. Got it?

[axilium]

[he nods.]

Got it.

[concasse]

[in that case, Sanji's hands slide into his pockets. Is Belph aware he fights only with his legs? Well, he's about to find out when Sanji lunges and will lodge a foot into his ribcage unless he moves.]