rose's thorns. ♡

“Wearing green to avoid getting pinched…? I’ll just stay indoors.”

“I see. Hm… alright, I’ll keep that in mind.” It was an odd feeling but something told him to pass on asking further questions. That, however, didn’t stop him from dispensing one more. “If you don’t mind my asking… could I have your name? I would like to thank you properly, after all.”

Now here is a compelling individual; from first glance, she appeared to be a person who knew a lot more than she would ever let on. “Oh…?” Her words weren’t untoward, yes, but they were unnecessary—to someone like him, in any case. Nevertheless, he welcomes her advice with a smile. “And what would you suggest that I do then…?”

“ C’mon now. You don’t gotta call a guy out like that. ” Not much to call out when it’s already a well-established fact thanks to your usual tomfoolery. Plus you’re always slightly blitzed at least once a week.

“ You’re right though, it really isn’t anything different than say here, or even where you’re from. We got gift giving, meals to share, music to sing, movies and shows to watch, it’s a whole buncha stuff that ya can’t fit into just a couple of weeks. But that sure as hell doesn’t stop some people! ”

"I assure you, I only meant what I said in jest." There had been no intent to offend, merely poke at what she already knew to be the truth. Thankfully, he doesn't seem bothered at all by it but Camilla knows there's no harm in cementing what she meant so there would be no misunderstandings. 

“Huh… this island sure is full of wonders… it’s a shame, really… if I wasn’t held here against my will, I truly would be fascinated by it…” Beneath both his voice and blank expression lies slight, distant anger.

For a brief moment, his faux smile fades away. As if something she’d said had soured his mood. Though he did not seem visibly upset or infuriated. The hollowness in his eyes was haunting, almost akin to someone trapped in a deep depression. A complete lack of joy, or even a will to live. And then it’s masked over once more with the jester’s smile. But even for someone like Kumagawa, who had all but perfected his deceitful craft, the attempt was shoddy at best.

“『How can you say you have any fondness for me when you’ve never even shown me your underwear before? Sounds fake to me! Prove your words by donating all of your undergarments to me this instant, you deceiver!』”

During the brief moment, he drops his ever-pleasant facade is Camilla able to infer that she's struck something of a nerve within him. It isn't like Misogi to ever show weakness or any semblance of displeasure and yet for a very short time, he'd shown something akin to it. She doesn't acknowledge it, however, just pockets it to be brought up for a later discussion. For now, she moves on with the conversation as he does and pretends that it never happened. "Now, now. Haven't you learned that asking something like that of a woman is unforgivable? But as I said...I do care for you, my dear Misogi, and so you will be excused."

Honestly, she would’ve preferred anything else over this, but she did say she was willing to help with almost anything, cooking included—it was definitely too late to back out now. “Uh, alright…! But, um, you’re doing most of the cooking, right?” The thought of serving inedible food to her brother, a person she hasn’t met, really was getting to her.

“『And I see you’re all still stuck in your delusions! We all see things here, Camilla-chan. And sometimes it’s better not to.』”

“『I will set you on fucking fire. Do NOT mess with me!』”

All he needs to hear is ‘kingdom’ and her remark of it not being as joyous of a time as on the island to fill in the blanks. At least what he assumes to be the general state of affairs back where Camilla is from.

“ A selfless act like that seems pretty appropriate for the holiday. I’m sure seeing those kids happy with whatever presents they got must’ve felt like the best thing in the world for ya. ”

          “Hm… nope! Can’t say that I would! One would have to have some attachment to this place in order for that to happen!” He couldn’t be bothered, seeing as how anyone he cared for wasn’t present on the island—that and he didn’t particularly wish to be here. “Though the idea of others getting hurt… well, that’s something entirely different!”

          “My worry? Ahaha, can’t say that you have actually, since nothing ever worries me!” Nothing on this island anyway; he’s been through far worse after all. That would, of course, include whatever was happening around the wards now.

“Nope! No compensation needed! You’re doing me a favour, remember?” Though saying that aloud, it really did sound backwards. “Alright! What did you need help with exactly?! I’m capable of heavy lifting, too! I mean, if the job requires that!”

“ Eh, you got a point there. As annoying as it can be, I’d rather have ‘em give it their all and do something fun then just let it all get so dull. ” He shrugs. “ By the way, do y’all have something like Christmas back where you’re from? Or is it exactly the same thing? ”