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]

[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!

[contemptibility]

[His grip tightens as he smiles brightly.]

Oh, but it's means quite a bit to me.

[asea]

[Then they'll never find common ground.

Gritting his teeth, Walter grabs Tiir's wrist with one hand for stability and aims a punch in the face with the other hand, stepping forward as much as his position will allow for added impact.]

[contemptibility]

[He was expecting the punch but, with Walter's grip on his wrist, can't avoid it in time. Instead, he leans back in an attempt to minimize the damage, letting go of Walter as he does so.]

[asea]

[At the same time, Walter releases his grip on Tiir's hand, then coughs when his throat protests again. Straightening, he points at Tiir.]

I have no intention of becoming friendly with anyone. I won't make exceptions.

[contemptibility]

So you must be as rude as you are instead?

[asea]

I don't concern myself over such things.

[With everything to account for, manners tend to be put on the backburner.]