[Hijikata's forehead creases slightly at Izō's name, as though speaking it aloud is enough to provoke a migraine. Might as well be for all the trouble he gives him.

... why is he still here again?]

Out. [Where? God knows, but he really doesn't care.] He sulks if I try and clear up his messes while he's here.

[And that's all he's going to say on the matter. Hijikata gets to his feet slowly, still a little cautious as he sizes Lalli up. Naturally, he recognises him as the young man he fought alongside on that dark, rainy night but that was then and this is now. He's a near stranger walking in on what Hijikata has decided his his territory. Even though it's actually Izō's. Whatever.]

You know him, then. What's your name? I didn't catch it before.

[Didn't even ask.]