☽ A Game of Ping Pong

[messianic]

Characters: Minato and you!
Location: In a building just off of the center plaza
Time: All dayyyy
Style: Whatever works!
Status: Open open open!

[It is the strangest thing, to remember dying and then wake up as if nothing had happened. It left him strangely restless, and so he'd skipped out on Welcoming Committee duties, he'd drifted a little away from his social life for just a brief period of time--

He'd died in that strange place, that place that wasn't Vatheon.

But...he'd woken up alive, headphones around his neck and not pressed into Tiir's hands. Was something that vivid really just a dream? So he wandered, in search of something to expend his restless energy on.

And he's found himself at a ping pong table. At first he considers that lack of an opponent a problem, bouncing the ball on the table idly. But then he decides to play with the wall (it doesn't seem to bother him that he can't ever win that way).

So there is the click! click! click! of a ping pong ball being hit back and forth coming from an otherwise quiet building into the plaza. He might be getting a little into it.

Further inspection reveals a whiffed shot--don't get hit by the ball!]

Comments

LOL THIS ISN'T LATE AT ALL weeps

[gorges]

You too.

[She walks over to her side and bounces the ball back to him, as she shifts her weight from foot to foot.

She's got this.]

[messianic]

[For a moment, he is quiet, trying to think of what to say--how to say it. Nobody has ever really asked before...]

Because...

Because if everyone treasured their life like you do-- [I would be alive. My friends would not be scarred--]

My world would not have nearly ended.

[messianic]

[...oh cute. Minato nods quietly, faintly amused by that.]

I was just persistent. And maybe a pest.

...But I'm glad he doesn't hate me anymore.

[bufudine]

[Hate. Of course. Well, he's glad things seem to have worked out for them. Hopefully it'll work out for the other humans Tiir surely interacts with, too.

Serph nods, accepting that explanation.

...He isn't entirely certain he wishes to broach the topic of devouring. It certainly isn't one he will bring up unnecessarily and in Serph's mind, if Minato doesn't address it, then it is unnecessary to speak of it. His gaze flicks to the ping-pong table.]

[contemptibility]

[...

To be honest, Tiir doesn't understand, but Minato seems sad, so...

He tosses the ball to the side, before reaching out to hold Minato's hand—the one that isn't holding the Evoker. Then, he smiles.]

But it didn't end, right? So there's hope.

[.. The hope that Tiir doesn't have for his own world sometimes, truth be told.]

[messianic]

[Minato really doesn't see the need to address it either, so instead he focuses on the gaze, and brightens a little despite himself.]

Have you ever played ping-pong, Serph-san?

[messianic]

Right.

[A nod, firm.]

How have you been settling in, then?

[messianic]

[Well, he's curious. He certainly doesn't mind losing, and he has retrieved the ball, serving it once again.]

Your training...?

[Yeah, he plans to carry on this conversation if he can.]

[messianic]

[A nod.]

If you're ready.

[And he serves the ball gently, keeping it simple for now.

Playing games with Amane sounds like an excellent use of his evening.]

I'M ONLY A LITTLE BIT LATER RIGHT

[messianic]

[Oh yes good. He always approves of playing with someone competent, so while he is focused, he also is curious about her--]

How have you been, Kyouko-san?

[And he hits the ball back, bouncing it gently to her.]

[messianic]

[...blink. Ah. He offers Cielo a smile at that.]

I used to make that mistake a lot too. Don't worry, it gets easier with practice.

[And he goes off to retrieve the ball.]

[messianic]

[A nod, and he smiles a bit.]

That's the spirit.

[Another easy serve, bouncing it right to Ruca--he wants to see him smile, if he can.]

[messianic]

[...ah.

He clasps Tiir's hand in his own gently, and the smile he offers is still a little bittersweet--but more sweet than bitter.]

You're right. There's always hope, even when everything seems impossible.

That's...what that taught me.

[messianic]

[...ahhh. He tilts his head a little, hitting the ball back easily, and considers that.]

...Maybe a little. I feel like...I had a weird dream.

[ashihara]

[Well, this will be difficult. Keeping focus while keeping an eye on the ball. Before she can speak, she quickly hits it right back at him]

Yes, my specialty is speed so I am quite use to this kind of challenge.

[messianic]

Specialty in what?

[Ah--it does take quite a bit more focus, but his eyes narrow and he manages to hit the ball back.

And then he remembers his manners.]

If you don't mind me asking.

[contemptibility]

[With his free hand, he pokes Minato's forehead.]

There you go. You look better when you smile, you know.

[messianic]

[...a-ah...

That draws not a smile, but a confused blink out of him.]

I've been told that before.

[But smiles are not a thing that happens for him often sorry Tiir.]

But you don't have to worry about me. I'm fine now, thanks to you.

[twiceinhabited]

[When the ball head over to her side, Amane hits it back. Lightly at first, but she'll learn how much force to use, eventually.]

[rainbowarch]

[Even if it's a common mistake, he still feels rather silly. He just waits for Minato to get the ball, which has hopefully not rolled under a cabinet or something.]

[demonicbookworm]

<sub>[okay, he's going to get it right this time.

Now, focus and...! Yes! This time he really did it! The ball bounced once on his side, just like it was supposed to.

He smiles a little... but isn't it too early to be happy?]</sub>

[contemptibility]

[He tilts his head.]

I didn't really do anything.

[tsundyne]

[She returns the ball, though it's a close call, since the mention of dreams does remind her of their latest curse.

Those Dreamberries...

Funny too, since she never really did figure out exactly when it ended or how. Her memory's fuzzy.

Maybe even a little dream-like as well.]

Is it bothering you?

[ashihara]

I'm sorry but I'm afraid that is a secret.

[She said to him before hitting back the ball. She couldn't give away all of her information now could she?]

[bufudine]

[Serph tilts his head. What's ping-pong?]

Is that why...?

[He mimes a small ball hitting him in the face.]