10

[asea]

Who: Walter and you
Where: Plaza
When: Afternoon
Style: Either
Status: Open

[Today, Walter breaks his typical routine by heading down to the plaza. Normally, he would check on Shirley first but lets her be, and goes out without the usual cape to boot. He doesn't appear nearly as tense, though his posture is still guarded; careful.

Upon seating himself in an outdoor cafe, a familiar waitress attends him.]

Hello there! Oh . . . you look a little different today. Waiting for someone?

[Walter stares, and she continues on on an assumption.]

Here's some water, free of charge. I'll be back once your girlfriend comes!

[But he came alone. And alone he is, sitting near a fountain with an untouched, full cup of water, across an inversely empty chair. If he had to answer why he's there, he wouldn't be able to supply a reasonable answer. There's . . . nothing else to do.

He just looks out of place. There's a nagging feeling in the back of his mind, and it's steadily beginning to irk him despite his otherwise cooler disposition.]

Comments

[contemptibility]

[WALKING doop de doo he doesn't really pay much attention to the establishments of this place because um. HUMANS.

But he does happen to notice Walter as he strolls by, before pausing.]

Ah, you.

[He glances at the empty chair.]

Are you waiting for someone?

[At least he's not assuming it's your girlfriend.]

[asea]

[HUMANS, HUMANS EVERYWHERE.

Lifting his gaze from the cup, he looks at Tiir -- doesn't glare, even if his look is a bit intense. Which for him borders on "normal."

He shakes his head.]

No.

[contemptibility]

[His SOMETHING IS DIFFERENT senses are not going off yet, unfortunately.]

Is that so? It looked like you were.

[asea]

[Blind.]

There were no singles.

[contemptibility]

[No, that's Ene.]

Ah, that makes sense. Are you... enjoying your water?

[asea]

I haven't drank it.

[It's true. There's no sign of water dripping from the sides of the cup. He hasn't even touched it since the waitress left it there.]

[sonlight]

[Spotting Walter at his favorite cafe (well, to be fair, any place with food is Chibi's "favorite"), he wastes no time in trotting over and taking the seat opposite the blonde.]

Wuuf. [What's up, dude? Surely you're gonna get something tastier to drink than that water you've got there.]

[asea]

[Usual routine would have prompted Walter to point and tell Chibiterasu to get off, if not outright ignore. But today is not the day for such things, and he instead regards the new presence quietly. There's only a very slight annoyance at the intrusion.

Because he's not bothered beyond reason, he has nothing to really say. He's clearly not going to have anything besides the water, so what else have you got to say, little wolf?]

[sonlight]

[He was waiting to be told to get out, actually. This lack of irritation is... a little freaky...

Chibi tilts his head, a little nervous, a little worried. Is something wrong, dude?]

[asea]

[Next time, he'll hurl you across the plaza.

But Walter is not all that patient regardless of preemptive anger, so when Chibiterasu proceeds to behave in a way that he finds wasteful of the time, he finally demands,]

Nothing. What's the problem?

[Still not as snappy as he should be.]

[sonlight]

[He'd think that was fun.

Ah, that's more like it! Chibi relaxes, tail a-wagging and expression apologetic. For angry people, being subdued usually means something bad happened, right? Like maybe he was waiting for Shirley at this cafe and she (gasp!!) stood him up? Or worse! D:

But it looks like that isn't the case, so this is fine. He turns his attention toward the cafe, trying to flag down the waitress.] Arf!

Screw assumptions. /o/

[seablaze]

[He had spotted the kid from across the plaza and headed over just to bother him. And he was curious if he might have left that pretty cape with it's jewel laying around.

Not seeing it, the pirate decided to help himself to the empty seat across from him.]

Looks like you haven't gotten possessed by whatever hunger is filling up the rest of the fish bowl. What have ya been up to?

Oh, the scandal!

[asea]

[The cape was back in the apartment, laid neatly on the made bed. He hadn't felt very compelled to put it on -- it was extra weight, albeit little, that he didn't need to lug around.

Undisturbed by Faris' entrance, Walter responded smoothly, but not before a brief pause.

Possessed by hunger . . . ]

Nothing. Vatheon has been quiet.

[Compared to that particular battle on the island and the commotion regarding the lab.]

;3

[seablaze]

[...someone was in a somber mood. Reaching across the table to give him a poke.]

Jus' a bit. The marks were glowing though in case ya haven't noticed, bucko. [Tapping his shoulder where the mark resided under all of his layers.]

Seem less enthused than normal there.

[asea]

[The poke elicited something akin to a mild frown. Unnecessary contact. He shifted in his seat.

He had noticed, and Faris' reminder with the mention of possession made him consider. The back of his hand where the mark was hidden beneath his shirt had glowed the other day. He had steeled himself -- then nothing. No change or danger.

All of today he had felt . . . odd. Compelled for no apparent reason. Or the opposite, rather.]

. . . The hunger is Lamufao's doing.

[A slow statement. He wasn't hungry himself, but there seemed to be an increasing event of this. And if this was indeed Lamufao's doing, then his own lethargy . . . ]

[zelda_hylia]

[After having her way with Zelos, Duke, and Dhaos, Zelda's returned to her duties at the Welcome Center. Or rather, she intended to. Seeing Walter sitting peacefully is so new and strange that she can't help but at least greet him.]

Hello, Walter. I don't believe I've seen you since the battle. Have you been well?

[asea]

[Had they met when he wasn't under the influence of the curse, he'd be up and on his feet. And not as readily responsive as he regards Zelda, though the nagging spikes up just a tad. Like something should be different, yet it isn't.]

We haven't. And I've been fine.

[Alas, the change isn't enough to get him beyond answering as necessary.]

[zelda_hylia]

I'm glad to hear it.

[She looks a little concerned, though.]

Are you feeling tired? There's been a curse going around today. It's quite unusual to see you stationary...

[asea]

I'm not tired. There's no reason to be on watch today.

[It's the truth. Actually . . .

It could be the curse, but he can reason that it's her wish, too. Decisions. Conflicts. Lethargy.]

[zelda_hylia]

[On watch. That makes it sound like he's guarding something instead of simply being on guard. She tilts her head at him curiously, but doesn't ask. She can't stay silent for too long, though.]

Have you ordered anything yet? I can alert the staff if you'd like.

[tsundyne]

[Why would the waitress assume he's waiting for someone. Has she actually talked to him, he's about as sociable as a brick wall--


...Anyways.

Yukari doesn't know about Shirley, so she has no reason to make any of those same assumptions about girlfriends or what-have-you. She just approaches him when she sees the head of familiar blonde hair, taking note of the empty seat across from him. She dare not take it, though. She just...stares, and she doesn't even wonder who he might be waiting for.

Maybe she's too busy remembering their encounter on the beach. But she's definitely trying not to.]

...Hey.

[Her tone is kind of bitter, but it's an otherwise neutral greeting.]

[asea]

[A brick wall can still be talked at, Yukari.

But he isn't waiting for anyone -- or is it something? Something to make him jump out and be active? He's been barely so this entire morning and noon compared to the norm. Sitting around for no reason should be a waste.

Irked. Nagged. Bothered. Just a little.

Not at Yukari. Walter says nothing when he glances her way. Quiet as he may be, his look isn't at its typical coldness. If anything, the turning of his attention on her is his way of acknowledging her greeting and doing the same.]

[tsundyne]

[...Well, that's certainly different. And if it's someone to nag at him that he wants, Yukari certainly fits the bill, but you'll have to give her a moment. She simply isn't used to this. He's not glaring at her, he's not trying to walk away, he's not calling her foolish or otherwise insulting her in any way--

Heh. She really doesn't know what to make of it, but it's enough of a "welcome" that she decides to sit down after all.]

So... uh, is it okay if I join you?

[She doesn't know what she'll do exactly; but the last time she'd managed to keep his attention for more than a few minutes (without chasing after him), she'd been too upset to take advantage of it or care much.

Now... that she's calmer, maybe things could be different.

...She's kind of thirsty besides.]

[asea]

[She already sat herself and he's not running her off, so she can assume it's "okay." Maybe things could be different: they're both a little more sober, albeit in dissimilar ways. For their meeting, it works.

He gestures to the glass of water with one hand.]

Are you thirsty?

[It's said flatly, but his voice is much softer from its usual rigidness. This, she can take advantage of. It won't last.]

[tsundyne]

...Yeah.

[She answers honestly, not entirely sure why he's asked. Is he...actually offering? He's gesturing to his glass like he is, but she doesn't reach for it. She just kind of tilts her head, looking at him questioningly.]

You're not?