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]

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?

[asea]

Because I am. They're the ones who deny to acknowledge it and twist its meaning.

[contemptibility]

So you would consider yourself to be like them?

[asea]

No.

[The answer comes fast and harsh as he snaps at Tiir, most bothered by that question than anything thus far.]

We're completely different. Being human has little to do with those differences.

[contemptibility]

[He figured it might provoke that kind of reaction.]

Then you might as well not be human.

[asea]

[Their definition of "human" is very different from each other, he's beginning to realize again, so he drops that argument.

He turns back to the lake, his arms crossed.]

A monster, then.

[contemptibility]

[...]

Must not being human make one a 'monster'? That's nothing but a label that humans give to people like us.

[At least, that's what he wants to believe. It's become harder after meeting Minato, admittedly.]