02

[asea]

Who: Walter and Tiir
Where: Somewhere over the rainbow in the forest
When: Late morning
Style: Either
Status: Closed

[If it isn't one thing, it's the other. Peace doesn't seem commonplace within the city and, quite frankly, Walter finds the "murder" not worth making such a huge commotion over. It's not like he really cared to begin with.

And though there's no worry of being recognized for what he is, he prefers to be alone. The forest is expansive enough for that. However, the sound of another pair of footsteps nearby dictates that the day for that is not today. If he's aware, then, surely, so is the other of his presence. Before long, they cross paths.

Black hair and black clothes . . . ]

Comments

[asea]

[ . . . That wasn't supposed to happen.

As the teriques vanishes upon contact, a strange feeling comes down upon him. It'd retreated because there was something off about the body it was attempting to attack. As if it were being pulled in . . .

That's ridiculous. What can do that to a teriques?

In the midst of his shock, he only manages to take one step back, lessening the impact of Tiir's grip but still getting caught regardless. Snapping out of his thoughts, his hands fly up to pull down the hand choking him for breathing space as he instinctively gasps.]

[contemptibility]

[He smiles as his hand doesn't budge.]

Well, that was interesting. However, if that's the extent of your abilities...

[His grip tightens—slightly, as a warning, as his eyes glow red.]

Need I remind you of how this started?

[asea]

[Despite the vehemence of his desire to protest, he can't talk (much) with the increasing lack of oxygen, and with the determination that he won't divulge more of his abilities -- magic is just that much rarer in land folk, isn't it? -- his nails fade back to normal.

The eyes. They're red. No, the glow is red. Same difference.

How hateful.

He glares back.]

[contemptibility]

[It really is a pity. It'd be so easy to kill him like this—to strangle him or break his neck—considering the fragility of humans.

... But he can't.]

Hmm... I suppose I do.

[And for a third time, he throws Walter against a tree, albeit with a bit more force this time.]

[asea]

[He doesn't -- can't -- make a sound when his back hits the tree again, because that much more force is enough to knock the remaining wind out of him. Walter drops to the ground on his hands and knees, coughing.

This fight is severely unbalanced, even one-on-one. Granted, neither of them has obviously yet to use his full power, but . . .

That's not fair -- ]

[contemptibility]

[Meanwhile, Tiir continues to smile—the perfect picture of nonchalance, were it not for the edge in his expression.]

Allow me to repeat myself: I don't appreciate it when people mistreat my friends.

[asea]

[Staring at the ground as he steadies his breathing, Tiir's words are loud and clear. And irritating. He's already heard this. He's heard it many times in other ways. Everyone is always so protective of their friends.

Which is fine with him because it's not his business, but right now, it is.]

. . .

[contemptibility]

[...]

If you don't understand, I'd be happy to reinforce what I mean.

[asea]

. . . Then keep your distance.

[Their interests might happily coincide.

Not on the girl's watch, apparently.]

[contemptibility]

... As much as I would prefer that Guriko and you never speak again, I'm afraid I can't dictate her actions. As, unfortunately, I can't simply dispose of you, I would ask that you repay her kindness.

[asea]

. . . Kindness?

[Was it kindness that had prompted her to act as she had on numerous occasions, or did she have an ulterior motive? Of course she'd have an ulterior motive. At the same time, she's no longer human, or so she claimed. She's no longer the typical orerines.

But not like she can stop being an orerines, right?]

I cannot trust . . .

[He trails off, shaking his head.]

[contemptibility]

[... Heh.

At that, he laughs.]

You can't trust humans?

[asea]

[The laughter falls on deaf ears.

No. Ferines are human beings. He can trust them. But Orerines also dreadfully share that classification, so at the very least, with that in mind . . .

Walter's silence can be taken as affirmation.]

[contemptibility]

[He smiles wryly.]

I can hardly begrudge you for that, but... Guriko isn't human, so I would rather that you not group her with them.

[asea]

[Against his protesting back's wishes, Walter straightens to a crouched position. He doesn't appear surprised or taken back in the slightest, because he already knows. According to that outlandish story about the apple, anyway.]

. . . is that all?

[contemptibility]

As long as you understand.

[...]

If you don't, however, then perhaps another talk is needed.

[asea]

. . . you'd be wasting your time.

[And his. Tiir can take that however he will.]

[contemptibility]

I have plenty of time to waste here.

[asea]

[ . . .

Then everything's a waste of time?

He doesn't say anything.]

[contemptibility]

... Should I take your silence as agreement or stubbornness?

—And before you try, I'd rather not receive a response of 'take it however you will'.

[asea]

. . . You can't change what you were born as.

[Can Guriko, who considers herself once human, be no longer that? It doesn't make any sense to Walter.]

[contemptibility]

Oh? I believe otherwise. But hmm... this does complicate things.

[asea]

. . . what?

[contemptibility]

[And in one swift movement, Tiir moves in front of Walter, grabbing his neck.]

If I can't kill you, then I refuse to tolerate your attitude towards Guriko, no matter what.

[asea]

[Tiir is too fast for him to react to. Walter only raises a hand partway this time, stopping in favor of a growing scowl -- and defiance, as he strains back,]

That means nothing to me!