08

[asea]

Who: Walter, Tiir, and Guriko
Where: Forest, near the lake
When: Later afternoon
Style: Either
Status: Closed

[Walter is before the large lake in the forest today, not really doing anything but thinking. With little choice in the matter of allowing Shirley more freedom -- or so he's convinced himself -- it's all that's left to be done.

His thoughts are fragmented, plaguing his mind with loathsome ideas. He stands there, quiet but scowling at the surface of the still water.

At one point, he goes forth and dips a hand in it with an upturned palm. He's still for a moment before he pulls the hand out, his expression blank.

This water has neither a voice nor a conscience, as far as he can tell. And it bothers him.]

Comments

[contemptibility]

[... Well.

Tiir can't say that he's particularly surprised to see Walter here.

He sees no reason to avoid him, however, and so takes a few steps forward to make his presence clear.]

You seem to be fond of this area.

[asea]

[He wasn't expecting not to run into Tiir, at least, as Walter straightens and turns his head to the source. It seemed a good portion of their meetings happened in the forest.

The Merines comes to mind again.

About the girl.]

. . . I can say the same for you.

[contemptibility]

[He just smiles.]

Well, if I recall correctly, we've already established that it's peaceful here. 'Unnecessarily loud'—isn't that how you described the city before?

[asea]

The noise is irrelevant at this point. Nature is steady. But the city has proven unstable recently.

[contemptibility]

[a quiet laugh at that]

Has it ever truly been stable? It's merely become more obvious.

[asea]

[ . . . ]

No. If the coral truly powers itself with the energy of its inhabitants, then that very source is unreliable.

[contemptibility]

Exactly. It's always been fragile, just as is everything else.

[asea]

You're not concerned about that? If Lamufao was to fail, you'd die.

[contemptibility]

Oh, I'm concerned. I've no intention of letting my life end here, of all places.

But what would you have me do? Run around in a panic?

[asea]

[A pause; he stares.]

I don't care what you would do.

[contemptibility]

[A light shrug]

You're the one who asked if I was concerned.

[...]

I assume that means you are?

[asea]

Hardly.

[There's only one life he prizes in Vatheon, and it's not his.]

The barrier will inevitably fall. I don't have to worry about the possibility of that.

[contemptibility]

[He tilts his head. Yeah, he hasn't forgotten about Shirley.]

And what will you do when that happens?

[asea]

Survive.

[contemptibility]

[He smiles.]

A good answer. And that girl?

[asea]

[He's quiet for a moment, and a little tense.]

You already know.

[contemptibility]

[...]

Well, I suppose it's good that even someone as aloof as you has someone to care about. She seems to care a fair deal for you as well.

[asea]

What does that matter to you?

[contemptibility]

Ah, well—I wouldn't have many qualms about seeing you dead, but consider it a bit of interest in your existence.

[At the very least, he has no particular desire for Walter to die most of the time. Not being human by Tiir's definition certainly helps, and rudeness towards Guriko doesn't merit the hatred he has towards, say, Gastark.]

[asea]

[Tiir's unwitting reminder of his mortal status -- and by extension, Shirley's recent news -- is cause enough for Walter's brows to knit. After all that time by the lake, he's still conflicted about the matter.

He probably always will be.]

We're of the same race. You must have figured that out already.

[contemptibility]

Your supposed kindness to her made that rather obvious, yes.

[asea]

Then what is there to be interested in?

[contemptibility]

The fact that you aren't human.

[Not by Tiir's definition, at least.]

[asea]

[Walter doesn't know that. Nor does he understand Tiir's logic.]

I already told you that I am.

[contemptibility]

Well, you're certainly not an ordinary one. Honestly, why group yourself with them at all?