voice.

[talim]

[ so... guess who spent some of his credits on a smartphone?

guess who discovered certain apps?

guess who hasn't left his apartment all day? ]

Has anyone else been playing Hate Die? I seem to be kind of stuck on Pacifist War on expert mode. It's the rush toward the end that always gets me.

So... any advice?

[ there's a pause. ]

Oh, sorry, just one other thing. Creature Crossing: Compartment Complex... Apparently the app is still pretty new, but I can't decide how I feel about it. I mean, the animals demand constant favors, need you to build certain sets of furniture just to come visit your complex, and then it all goes to waste afterward? Talk about being used and abused.

Comments

[secrowtary]

Hate points?

[ HE'S INTERESTED ]

Jude...do you remember that one time I told you're mature? I want to take that back now. How many games do you even play?

[talim]

Excuse me? You can be mature and play games in your spare time. Mature doesn't mean no fun allowed!

And I play... four. I just started Ice Crest Villains.

[secrowtary]

Of course it doesn't. As long as you've not slacking at work.

[ ...does Jude even work anywhere. Hibiki don't just go assuming things??? ]

Four. That's... [ Perhaps he should refrain from commenting. ] What is it about? That Ice Crest Villains one.

[talim]

[ not quite yet, but he will be. soon. ]

It's a strategic turn-based game about fallen kingdoms and waging wars...

[ a pause. ]

... but the main appeal is collecting as many orbs as possible and drawing rare villains from the available banners. There are three star villains, four star, and five star. Everyone wants to roll for their favorites.

[secrowtary]

You already have favorites...

[ He's not judging him. Not at all. ]

Just...don't play these for too long, okay? It's bad for your eyes. And don't spend too many credits.

[ Is this the so-called character development?! ]

[talim]

Yes, Mom.

[secrowtary]

If I was your mother you wouldn't have a smartphone in the first place.

[ Wow so harsh... ]

[talim]

Wow. You're even stricter than I thought.

[secrowtary]

Well, unless all your grades were As. Then I would consider getting you one.

[ That's...not making it any better... ]

[talim]

Now you really sound like my mom.

[secrowtary]

Your mom must be a very reasonable and charming person, then.

pretend that was in italics

[talim]

My parents are... strict.

[ that doesn't mean he doesn't love them, but his dad in particular... they're both no nonsense. it's how jude was raised. ]

[secrowtary]

Stricter than me?

[ Is that even possible. ]

[talim]

Stricter than you.

[secrowtary]

I see. There's no other choice, then. Challenge accepted.

[ He's not serious, just teasing. ]

So, what kind of things did they do or say?

[talim]

It's my father in particular. My mother tends to just go along with it. I don't blame her.

He just... He wants the best for me, I know he does, but he belittles the research I do, talks down to me, refuses to take me seriously as both a doctor and a researcher, and... uh, he tends to get physical when he's especially riled up.

[ jude's voice is surprisingly blank, considering the topic at hand. ]

[secrowtary]

I suppose not everyone is suited to be a good parent.

[ Hibiki keeps his voice as low as possible, trying not to show how upset he is. ]

One day we should meet, have a nice tea, and talk about your research. I'm curious.

[ Not subtle at all when changing subjects, is he. ]

[talim]

[ jude doesn't have an answer to that. he doesn't think he has bad parents, but he's not all that tempted to jump to defend them, either. ]

... You are? Really? Do you mean that?

[secrowtary]

Do you think I would say that if I didn't mean it?

[ He's not the type to talk in vain, after all. ]

[talim]

Well, no. You have a point.

That'd make me really happy!

[ jude has a ridiculous smile on his face. ]

[secrowtary]

Would it? Who knew.

[ He didn't. Not at all. Maybe he's getting a tad bit better at this feelings thing. ]