[Hijikata just listens quietly, prepared to do so as long as she needs him to. As he does, he finds himself wondering...]

[How terrible would a god need to be for Jennifer to come out and say it? And no wonder she's afraid, if he can do something like that... On top of that, it's a risk to accept a nora knowing that her other god could very well use his bond with her against him, especially since her other god is someone that he doesn't like or trust in the slightest.]

[But when she trails off, he's still looking at her with a calm, gentle expression.]

It's not right or reasonable to expect loyalty where it wasn't given freely and willingly. You have your own mind and your own heart, and it's not selfish to use them in choosing your own path. It's not selfish to want your service to go to someone who works to earn your trust and respect.

[He leans down slightly, to look her in the eye from closer to her own level.]

If offering me your trust and your service is a decision you've made for yourself, it will be my honor to accept.