KOTETSU

[third_alternative]

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[ he looks over at the scene, giving a bit of a wry smile ]

You okay over there?

[third_alternative]

I'm--ow!--fine, would you stop it already!!

I just wanted to know--fine, god!--uh, I guess, how mad is van Zieks at you for that rhyming thing?

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[ Finley stares deadpan at the other daemon. chill out, yo. ]

...Are you implying that you think he might have voted for me?

[third_alternative]

[ don't worry, Amparo has settled down now that they're talking!! She's patiently perched on Rex's shoulder, listening intently. ]

What? No! Psh, I doubt he would've anyway, he's so uptight about "the law" and stuff, no way he'd vote over a petty grudge like that.

I just meant...in general.

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[ there's a half shrug about that ]

Honestly? I have no clue. But I know he wouldn't do that much.

[third_alternative]

You think?

...and what about his friends?

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Not in a heartbeat.

[ there's a firmness to his tone at that, obviously not a shred of doubt ]

[third_alternative]

I'm still not talking about who voted for you--ugh!! [ KOTETSU UR KILLIN HIM HERE ]

I'm asking, how mad are they all about the rhyming thing you did?!

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[ HE'S A DAD, DON'T BE MAD. ]

I haven't heard from Susato, but I bet Sholmes isn't mad.

[third_alternative]

What makes you say that?

[ is it cuz you two are bangin ]

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You've seen how Sholmes is. He enjoys whimsical things.

[ NO!!!! ]

[third_alternative]

[ Rex gives him the most skeptical look for a few moments before... ]

...I might have screwed up.

[ Amparo suddenly squawks loudly in his ear and pecks at his head again ]

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[ Oh. ]

What did you do?

[third_alternative]

I...lied, back in the trial. [ and then suddenly his words speed up, like he's rushing to explain. ] The power I used was actually the one I got last week, to make two people fall in love for a few days.

[ buries his face in his hands and then, just barely peeking through his fingers: ]

...I used it on van Zieks and Sholmes.

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...

[ he suddenly looks so tired from that statement. he drags his hands slowly down his face and nods ]

Yeah. That was kind of a big mistake.

[third_alternative]

[ ohhhh kotetsu's reaction just confirms his worst fears. he grimaces as panic lances through him ]

I-I thought it'd be funny! Like the rhyming thing!! Those two are so goofy all the time, and I--

...you can't tell them. You're not gonna tell 'em, right? You can't.

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[ he shakes his head a bit ]

I get it, kid. But that kind of thing doesn't work out that way for everyone. I'm not mad at you, but. Just... don't do anything like that again.

If you really don't want me saying anything, I won't. But I think you should tell them. Or, at least, tell Sholmes.

[third_alternative]

[ yeah, he figured kotetsu, fellow prankster and Dadliest Dad to Have Ever Dadded, would be okay about it, hence why he's confessing to him, but also

sucks in air through teeth ]

I talked to Sholmes, the day after the curse ended, and he...didn't look too great. I thought it wouldn't be a big deal to him, but now? I'm not so sure.

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[ aww, that's sweet. he does appreciate that he could be relied on to talk about it, though. ]

I'm sure some people might be able to joke it off, but things like that can be pretty complicated. I think he's starting to do better, at least.

[third_alternative]

You wouldn't think so, with how hard Susato was grilling me today.

[ ...GROANS AGAIN AT THE MEMORY OF IT ]

Why did I do that?!

[sponsoredby]

We all make mistakes, kid. I know I've made more than I could count. It's what you do with them that matters most, right?

[third_alternative]

Yeah well, what am I supposed to do with this? I can't tell them! Not with how Susato and Sholmes were about it!

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What do you mean about Sholmes?

[third_alternative]

[ winces ] When I saw him the next day, I think he kinda...got absolutely hammered over it.

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[ He nods a bit. ]

I think you're right. I didn't see him until that night, after I got back.

But I still think you should tell him. Tell both of them. Apologize. You didn't mean to harm them, but this is one case where I think you should go face it.