vatheon | (no subject)

Well, there's always the roller coaster.

[He points out the vaguely train-shaped ride at the end of the walk right as the cars take a dive down a steep hill, the passengers squeals audible even from as far away as the pair is standing.]

[Once again, Shirley never been on any of these rides before. Most of her life was spent hiding from other people who could take advantage of her...and yet, riding on the teacups felt like she was reliving her own childhood in a way. Hm...]

Ah...well, only if you want to! It certainly seems...intense.

[LET'S DO IT!]

[With a wide grin, Zelos casually puts an arm around Shirley's shoulders and starts leading her toward the roller coaster at the other end of the park. This should be fun.]

If you liked the spinning shells, you'll love this~!

[As she was being pushed, she immediately looked back at him with a shocked expression. Goodness, she wasn't expecting anything like that! Still, she let out a giggle before walking forward with him]

It seems like you know what I like in amusement parks! It looks like it's going to be more um...intense compared to the spinning shells.

I wonder if I can handle something like that!

[Walter seldom comes by this quadrant, finding the sheer festivity with Orerines distasteful. Today is one of the exceptions when, on his own course and time, he spots a familiar yellow and brown and pink and, no second thoughts whatsoever, pursues.

Ugh, this is worse than Werites Beacon.

Pushing past a particularly large crowd, his eyes narrow as, in that moment, Walter sees a red-haired man's arm around her. Was—was that a giggle?]

What are you doing?

[Just like that, he strides over to them. His question is intended for Zelos, indicated by his flat stare, and he leaves Shirley be for the time being.]

[He figured this might happen, with how Shirley had made this guy seem. He doesn't move his arm even under Walter's scrutiny. In fact, he'll only move it if Shirley moves away. He wouldn't keep her there against her will obviously, but he's pretty certain she's been enjoying herself. Far be it from him to let some butthurt stalker ruin their fun.

The smile stays plastered on Zelos' face as he answers.]

Heading for the roller coaster. You must be Walter.

[Yup, this was a bad idea. As soon as Walter started talking to Zelos, Shirley immediately looked uncomfortable and tried to step away from the red head. This was what she was afraid of and looked what it got her in the end. This was what happened when she started getting to comfortable in a date like this.]

Um...

[Let out a mumble before looking back at both of them. This was going to be awkward]

Unhand her.

[Much sharper this time, as his irritation grows with Shirley stepping away. It's about all he has to say to the man when Shirley's mumble draws his attention and, for that brief moment, his voice is softer—if by a tad.]

What is it, Merines? [He refocuses on Zelos, his words not unlike a scolding.] This is no place for her.

[He lets Shirley step aside without stopping her. He's not in the business of forcing anyone into anything, but Walter's tone rubs him the wrong way and the redhead puts his hands on his hips. He files the word 'Merines' away for later, noting how the way it rolls off Walter's tongue is not unlike a great many church officials saying 'Chosen'.]

What's your deal, bud? It's an amusement park, I'm pretty sure it's a pretty good place for anyone who likes fun, which obviously means you don't belong here, but I wouldn't take that out on the lady.

[As the two talked, Shirley was starting to grow more quiet. What has she done? This...this was what she feared and now she needed to find a way out of this. Time to do damage control.]

I-It's okay Walter, I...I wanted to see the park with Zelos. I never been here before so I wanted to see what it was like.

And um...Zelos, this is Walter. He's...he might seem harsh, he has the best intentions! ...Really!

[ . . . see what it was like with an Orerines?

—is his immediate response, and he bites down on it. He has a strong desire to do away with what little tact he has control over right now, had it not been for Shirley's insistence that he try to be civil. Even if a little. Even if he knows he isn't really.

Despite his growing anger, Shirley distracts Walter from acting on his impulses. Then he fumes on the inside.

So he needs to be justified before an Orerines? By the Merines herself, no less.

He throws an accusatory point at Zelos.

Bastard.]

She has no need for such a thing with the likes of you.

Last I checked Shirley's a living person with a mind of her own, man. I didn't force her to come here, she decided to, and she's enjoying herself. Or at least she was until you popped out of the woodwork. As for 'the likes of me,' you don't really know anything about me so I'd stuff those accusations back where you got them from.

[He turns to Shirley with a flabbergasted expression.]

Is it illegal to have fun where you're from or something? What's his deal?

[This was just growing worse by the minute! Do something Shirley!]

A-Ah, he's just really protective of me but that's okay! He means well!

[Mumble]

Please don't start a fight...

[This is hardly the product of her own mind, he wants to argue, but Shirley's further mumbling stays him. Shooting Zelos a quick glare, Walter moves toward Shirley.]

You [the urge to say "filth" is done away with almost instantly], go back to where you came from.

How about no. How about you go back to hiding in the bushes or whatever it is you do and let Shirley-hunny here have a little fun.

[He takes a glance at Shirley's face, that obvious wish to avoid confrontation, and he decides to try and be a bit more charitable despite Walter approaching his last nerve.]

Actually, strike that. Why don't you come with, eh? You look like you could use a little fun yourself; you're wound like a corkscrew.

[Oh dear, what is going to do now? She was starting to get worried about where this was going to go but it seemed like nothing was going as she planned. With Zelos's words though...]

Um...yes, what do you think? I think it could be fun with the three of us going out and having fun! Would you...like that?

[But she had a feeling it would be a no]

[Is she serious?

Hunching forward ever slightly, Walter crosses his arms. As if in deep thought, he says nothing and simply looks forward between Zelos and Shirley. Have "fun" together, they say . . .

He doesn't look happy. But then again, when does he?]

[Let's, for a moment, give the guy the benefit of the doubt. Let him think it over. Zelos moves his hands from his pockets to cross against his chest. If his hunch is right, he might be able to speed this along...]

Seems to me if Shirley here wants to do something, she should get to, being special and all.

[If he is right and 'Merines' is like 'Chosen,' Shirley has a bit to learn about rocking your importance.]

[Zelos hit the mark on the spot. Shirley was always an open book with her emotions sometimes, which was why she turned around the moment he said that she was special]

I-I wouldn't say that...I think I'm just as normal as everyone else here...

[Kind of?]

[His thought cuts short, ironically angered by Zelos' words and showing his quiet fury through a frown. He knows this already, but he doesn't need a source of corruption to be the one spelling it out.

At least Shirley hasn't been completely deceived.

And so, to Zelos:] She shouldn't have to do anything with you. [Slight emphasis on "anything."] I don't need you to tell me.

She doesn't have to, but there's a difference between having to and wanting to. Which apparently you don't get! The hell are you so afraid of? All I did was ask her to come out with me and she accepted. There's no insidious plot here, just two people having fun.

[He looks to Shirley again and flashes an understanding smile.]

Two admittedly special people at that. I'm the Chosen back where I come from, you know. Important, like the Merines.

[He's guessing again, but if Shirley's curious? Well she might have to tell Walter off to stick around long enough to ask.]

[The girl was going to make a comment out to the both of them on how this was starting to turn into a fight. However, what Zelos said next caught her off guard. What a minute, does that mean he...]

What do you mean, Zelos? [No way] Y-You're a Chosen One too?

[Against Shirley's better judgement, she didn't mean to say that last sentence. There was a promise she made to Walter to not mention what the Merines meant but knowing that there was another just like herself...

It felt comforting to know she wasn't alone.]

[People, he says . . .

Deep inside, he would probably think her a monster if he knew what she was.

Gritting his teeth at the accusation of being afraid, of all things, Walter doesn't bat an eye at the apparent importance of the Orerines before him. Shirley's slip doesn't go unnoticed, but it's not her fault. It's this thing's.]

You know nothing about the Merines. What you are means nothing to me!

[Walter has kept most of his angers and frustrations inside himself for the past almost year, and with this crack, the ever slightest leeway to vent, his fists are at his side, trembling. Dimly, he knows he needs to hit something.]

[No one's asking you, Blondie.

Sorry Walter, but Zelos isn't even looking at you anymore. He's turned a kind-eyed expression to Shirley and gives a gentle nod.]

It may not be exactly the same as your position, I'm not certain of the details, after all, but I've had the majority of my life dictated for me and from what I can tell, you understand that kind of pressure. We've got a lot more in common than I thought, hunny.

[All true, with the bonus that if Walter attacks him now, he'll look even more obviously like he's trying to control Shirley's life. Who's the bad guy now, Wally?]

[Shirley took a step closer to Walter in an attempt to calm him down. She can see that he was ready to punch someone and that was the last thing she wanted. While she didn't say anything, the look of worry screams out "Don't do it, don't do it!"

However, her attention does back to Zelos shortly afterwards. Her eyes immediately stared straight at the ground. So, he knew what it was like to have the pressure of being the one who was suppose to save everyone. He knew what it was like to try your best and yet, fail in the end. There was a small mumble before she finally spoke up]

It's not easy...is it? Trying to be something that everyone thinks you are and then...

[Nope, she's not going to finish that sentence]

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#then zelos had a black eye

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