XXVIII.

[hellshaped]

[Today, Hellboy can be found just walking around the castle grounds, as is pretty normal for him. It's not really patrolling, but there's not a lot for him to do here -- so he likes to keep moving, and if he's simultaneously keeping an eye on things, that's okay too.]

[detention loss people]
I'm not usually like that. Sorry if I offended anyone.

[Kalinda]
Leela Tahiri? [he sounds a little incredulous!!

but then quickly realizes that she probably had a different name for a reason and he ought to be more sensitive, so he continues, in that half-joking way of his:] Are you in witness protection or something?

[Molotov]
Would you like to go for a walk?

Comments

[heloise]

[ Lucrezia doesn't hide the fact that she's checking him out, most fascinating, and biting her lip so she doesn't grin too wide. ]

Hellboy. Lucrezia.

[hellshaped]

[His tail curls a little when he notices that. He's either uncomfortable or simply acknowledging it.]

That's a heck of a lot better than my name. It suits you.

[heloise]

[ She grins and bows her head. ]

Would you say yours suit you?

[hellshaped]

[He involuntarily mirrors her little bow.]

I don't know. You can be the judge of that if you want.

[heloise]

[ She steps forward, walking in a spiral closer to him. ]

You would grant me such privilege, and so soon, why?

[hellshaped]

[He just stands there casually, sliding his left hand into his pocket. The other dangles simply dangles at his side, since it doesn't actually fit in pockets.]

You seem like a trustworthy person. I could be wrong, though; I'm sometimes a really bad judge of character.

[heloise]

[ Lucrezia grins and looks away for a moment, circling to come as close as an arm's length. ]

What if I deem it unsuitable, what then?

[hellshaped]

[He just tilts his head curiously at her.]

Well, then I don't know. You could try to give me a better name. Not sure if it'll stick, though.

[He's been Hellboy for such a long time that it's hard to imagine being anyone else.]

[heloise]

[ She tips her head to the side and considers. ]

Are you fond of your name?

[hellshaped]

I'm used to it, anyway.

[heloise]

What name would you prefer?

[hellshaped]

[He thinks about this for a few seconds, glancing off into the distance. Considering his options, he would probably stick with this one anyway.]

I don't know if I'd prefer anything else.

[heloise]

Hellboy it is then, until I can suggest you a more suitable one.

[hellshaped]

Okay. That works for me.

[heloise]

And how did you grow so tall, Hellboy? [ Or so red? And how did you grow a tail? ]

[hellshaped]

I ate my vegetables and drank my milk. [He's kidding, but it's awfully deadpan.]

[heloise]

[ She laughs though! ]

Perhaps I haven't eaten enough vegetables.

[hellshaped]

Well, there you go. That explains it.

[heloise]

I should replace pheasants with the fruits of the land then.

[hellshaped]

Yeah, I don't think pheasants are really on the Food Pyramid.

[He glances back in the direction they came from.]

I didn't distract you from something, did I? Were you in the middle of something?

[heloise]

[ She follows his gaze. He probably did, but it doesn't matter anyway. ]

Do you make a worthy distraction?

[hellshaped]

[His mouth twitches a little. It's probably a smile, because he sounds a little amused now.]

Are you really answering a question with a question?

[heloise]

[ She bites back the grin. ]

But was that really a question?

[hellshaped]

[He's grinning in earnest now, which might look a little strange, if not altogether frightening. He's basically just baring his teeth.]

Are you questioning my questions?

[heloise]

[ Should she be scared when he's been nothing but charming so far? ]

I suspect you think I am.