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

[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.]

[contemptibility]

... Are you going to? It seems like a waste not to.

[asea]

. . . Are you thirsty?

[Why the conversation on a cup of water?]

[contemptibility]

[Because what else is there to say to you.]

I suppose so, now that you mention it.

[asea]

["So who were you rude to today?"

Walter folds his arms after gesturing to the cup for Tiir. Although he's offering, his tone is as flat as ever.]

Then take it.

[contemptibility]

[He blinks.]

Really?

[asea]

[Really. All he does is look at Tiir. That means yes.]

[contemptibility]

[... Now little flags are starting to go off in Tiir's head, because even if Walter was flat in his delivery, it was almost like he felt something beyond dislike or apathy towards Tiir there for a moment—]

Eh... well, thank you, then.

[Taking the glass...]

[asea]

[Similarly, the nagging feeling in the corner of his mind is starting to come back. It lingers and he sits there, closed in on himself and in near impossible tenseness. He looks straight ahead, glancing once to Tiir.

No moves to stop him from taking the drink.]

[contemptibility]

[welp okay. This is a tad weird because he doubts Walter likes him very much, but whatever.

Taking a sip!]

[asea]

[He has no desire to so much as glare at Tiir.

Actually . . .

He's not stupid. This entire situation strikes him as a bit off, but the whys confound him. He had no problem giving up the drink or speaking. A pinch of irritation, perhaps not even from Tiir, and nothing more. In general, he's been lethargic and lazy to being alert the whole day.

. . . no, he's fairly sure that irritation is coming from --

Clamping his hands down on the surface of the table, he rises a little forcefully from his seat. The chair skids back in protest. And he stands there, still, staring at the tabletop.]

[contemptibility]

[...]

Is there a problem...?

[asea]

[He should snap. Retort. Something, but all he's inclined to do is deny problems on his end to keep Tiir from worrying.

Worrying?

Since when would Tiir worry about him? Where did that even come from?

He lifts his head to gaze at Tiir. His expression is just a tad sour.]

It's nothing.

[contemptibility]

[He pauses, as he tilts his head.]

... You're not intoxicated, are you?

[BECAUSE YOU'RE ACTING STRANGE.]

[asea]

I don't drink.

[Instantaneous response, and this time it's more closer to his usual snappiness. What kind of a stupid question is that?]

[contemptibility]

... Drugs...?

[asea]

[ . . .

He isn't even going to deign that with a response.]

[contemptibility]

[HEAD TILTED.

STARING INNOCENTLY.

WELL?]

[asea]

No.

[contemptibility]

Oh.

[...]

Then why did you do that?

[asea]

It doesn't concern you.

[Though he doesn't steal away from the vicinity like he normally would. And he wouldn't have been able to:]

Welcome, girlfriend! -- oh.

[The waitress tilts her head, observing Tiir innocently beside the table Walter is occupying. She nods smoothly upon reaching a conclusion.]

Please take a seat. Do you need a menu?

[This woman has the worst timing.]