Things aren't as simple as simply asking, with him. He doesn't think clearly about his emotions, and his desires confuse him when they deviate from his norm. These things... are often confusing to me as well.
[Yes.. though Chrollo is more than capable of reading most people, Hisoka's mindset is... strange. That's part of his appeal. But it's also the reason Chrollo finds himself so flummoxed around him at times.]
Ahh, it's difficult. Asking directly would probably do very little good. That said, I do believe he would remain beside me if I allow it.
[...and probably even if he didn't, but he's not going to say that because it definitely wouldn't support his argument. So he takes a deep breath again. This is. A little thorny.]
I'll sort it out.
However, I do need to be clear: whatever else I may do or be, my essential role remains what it was. It will never interfere with us.
When it comes to the animosity between the Troupe and Hisoka... I admit I'm not surprised that it has come to blows from time to time. I asked him to keep your squabbles non-lethal, and I do believe he'll try to the best of his ability, for my sake. However, Hisoka is Hisoka, and his intentions can change from moment to moment, as can his will to follow them. I'm aware of that.
If something does come up and you can contact me, please do so. Nobu... you, more than anyone else, are aware that I can contain the situation. [In a bag if necessary.] However, if that isn't possible, I don't expect you to play victim.
If he does betray me again... that is something I would not forgive.
And if the three of you object so strenuously to him, then I --
[--he'll what? Leave Hisoka? Can he really promise that? For them, maybe. But it would hurt him. He'd resent it, and that... isn't the sort of thing he wants infecting their rapport. Then again, if he chose Hisoka over them, that would be even worse. Which means there's only one real option -- one way to deal with it in a way that would hold the bitterness at bay.
In the end, it always comes back to their own rules, after all. He laughs a little, quietly.]
--then, I suppose we'd need to flip a coin.
Of course, we would need Paku present, if it came to that.
no subject
[Yes.. though Chrollo is more than capable of reading most people, Hisoka's mindset is... strange. That's part of his appeal. But it's also the reason Chrollo finds himself so flummoxed around him at times.]
Ahh, it's difficult. Asking directly would probably do very little good. That said, I do believe he would remain beside me if I allow it.
[...and probably even if he didn't, but he's not going to say that because it definitely wouldn't support his argument. So he takes a deep breath again. This is. A little thorny.]
I'll sort it out.
However, I do need to be clear: whatever else I may do or be, my essential role remains what it was. It will never interfere with us.
When it comes to the animosity between the Troupe and Hisoka... I admit I'm not surprised that it has come to blows from time to time. I asked him to keep your squabbles non-lethal, and I do believe he'll try to the best of his ability, for my sake. However, Hisoka is Hisoka, and his intentions can change from moment to moment, as can his will to follow them. I'm aware of that.
If something does come up and you can contact me, please do so. Nobu... you, more than anyone else, are aware that I can contain the situation. [In a bag if necessary.] However, if that isn't possible, I don't expect you to play victim.
If he does betray me again... that is something I would not forgive.
And if the three of you object so strenuously to him, then I --
[--he'll what? Leave Hisoka? Can he really promise that? For them, maybe. But it would hurt him. He'd resent it, and that... isn't the sort of thing he wants infecting their rapport. Then again, if he chose Hisoka over them, that would be even worse. Which means there's only one real option -- one way to deal with it in a way that would hold the bitterness at bay.
In the end, it always comes back to their own rules, after all. He laughs a little, quietly.]
--then, I suppose we'd need to flip a coin.
Of course, we would need Paku present, if it came to that.