☽ 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

[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]

[...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.

[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.

[contemptibility]

[He tilts his head.]

I didn't really do anything.

[messianic]

[...just. That faint smile again, ever so bittersweet]

You've done everything, Tiir-san. It's a shame if you don't even know it.

[contemptibility]

[A blink, before he shakes his head and runs a hand through his hair.]

You truly can be confusing at times, do you know that?

[messianic]

[...He blinks at that, tilting his head curiously.]

Me...? I don't mean to be.

[Blink.]

I thought I was pretty normal.

[contemptibility]

Are all humans so confusing, then?

[messianic]

Of course.

[That draws a bit of a smile out of him.]

If you're willing to get to know them enough to see.

Everyone's just a little bit confusing, because we're all just a bit different, right?

[contemptibility]

[Staaaaaaaare.]

I... suppose? I always found my friends easy enough to decipher, to be honest.

[Because they all suffer the same issues and you generalize people, Tiir.]

[messianic]

[....uh--]

Really?

I'm sure they had their own little quirks too. I wish I could meet them.

[contemptibility]

Well, of course they did. However, I wouldn't say they were confusing. Ryner did ignore me plenty, though...

[... ANYWAY]

... You would've liked them, I think. [...] Lafra in particular—you two would've gotten along rather well. You're both very kind people.

[messianic]

[...He nods quietly, curious.]

Maybe so. And maybe someday. Who knows what this world will bring?

[contemptibility]

[... There's a slight shift in Tiir's demeanour, as his smile freezes, and one can practically see the moment where he tries to cover up that change.]

Ah... that's right. With the power of this world, then...

[Even the dead can be brought here, huh? While logically, that's what it would take for Minato and Lafra to meet, and Tiir would love to see his friend again...

It'd also mean having to face the friend he failed to save.

He shakes his head lightly.]

Perhaps one day, yes. It'd probably be for the best.

[messianic]

[...He nods, understanding. Lafra is dead too then.

But there's that little bit that stands out to him--]

It'd be for the best? What do you mean?

[contemptibility]

[...]

If he can be happy here, at least... well, it's not as preferable as finding peace in our world, but it's better than nothing, isn't it?

[It's not like he has that chance at home anymore.]

[messianic]

[...Oh.

And Tiir...Tiir looks so terribly sad.

And that's why Minato tucks his Evoker away and steps forward and envelops Tiir in a hug. Without a moment's thought--just an automatic reaction.]

Maybe so. But he's in your memories, no matter what. I think that would put him at peace too.

[contemptibility]

[Tiir freezes.

He's never been the one to—

Why—

He's not—

He blinks and stares at Minato, confusion and surprise written all over his face.]

W-What are you doing...?

[He's never been the one who needed comfort—]

[messianic]

[...He tilts his head at that, but does release Tiir after a moment.

And a quizzical look.]

Giving you a hug...?

[contemptibility]

Not that it's unwelcome, but... why?

[All things considered, the 'why' is fairly obvious, but Tiir still has trouble wrapping his head around the idea.]

[messianic]

[It should be fairly obvious, but Minato doesn't mind spelling out the obvious.

So, simply--]

You sounded like you needed one.

[contemptibility]

[He stares, before glancing around as he tries to think of something, before he looks back at Minato.]

... But I'm fine.

[He's going to insist that until the day he dies, for the record.]

You're the one who...

[messianic]

[A blink. And he tilts his head.]

Yes. I'm the one who died.

[He doesn't seem too bothered by it now that he's got Tiir to focus on.]

But that doesn't mean you haven't had to deal with hard things as well.

[contemptibility]

[His expression still somewhat bewildered—]

... I'm the one who survived, though.

[Maybe, at least, though he doesn't voice that thought.]

Compared to you or Lafra, I'm far more fortunate...