Minato Arisato | Tiir Rumibul | Lir Orla | 016

[messianic]

[It's not a particularly out of the ordinary day in the bubble, and this is why Minato thinks little of it when he spies Tiir as he walks, welcoming basket in hand (it's that time of month, after all), and lifts his other hand out of his pocket to wave.]

Tiir-san. How are you?

Comments

[contemptibility]

[Tiir, on the other hand, is holding a bag of... groceries. Yep. It's disgustingly human—even though he's trying to change his views—but, sadly, a necessity since no one else can do it for him.]

Ah... you.

[Being around Minato is almost a little awkward now.]

As well as I'll ever be here, I suppose.

[messianic]

[...yes him.

don't be like that, Tiir-san.]

Mm...that's good to hear.

[groceries are cool, okay.]

How is Guriko?

[contemptibility]

[B-But how do you be nice to humans—]

... She's smiling. Hopefully, she's happy.

[messianic]

[DOING A PRETTY GOOD JOB HERE.]

That's good to hear. I'm sure she's happier here with you.

[evocate]

. . . oh? So you have more friends, after all.

[DUN DUN DUN. Guess who just crashed the party.]

Iino Doue.

[contemptibility]

[Oh, screw you—

It takes about a moment for the voice and appearance to register, and when they do...

Tiir's first thought is to escape and find Guriko now, but that still leaves Minato. Tiir isn't so naive as to think that Lir will just forget about him—an associate of a 'monster' is also guilty—meaning that he's in danger as well.

And so, without even being entirely aware of the action, Tiir moves to place himself between Minato and Lir.]

... Gastark. Of course you'd show up even here.

[messianic]

[...what is happening here.

What is--

He pauses, turning, expression shifting to a slight frown, even as Tiir steps between him and Lir.]

Tiir-san, what...

[He looks at the other then.]

...Who are you?

[evocate]

Hm! To be already on the defensive, you've finally learned your lesson.

[He points his glance at Minato.]

The name's Lir. You. Are you a monster like that one?

[contemptibility]

[Tiir takes in a breath, trying to stay calm even though all of his instincts are screaming at him to attack (kill him, kill this pathetic human for everything he's done—).

That doesn't stop his hands from clenching into fists, however.

While Minato is no stranger to Tiir's anger, the sheer amount of hatred in his voice and expression is likely new.]

You'll be disappointed, I'm afraid—he's human. I can't imagine that you'll gain much from gouging out his eyes.

[messianic]

[Minato tenses himself, however, fists clenching in his pockets.

A slow, steady breath.

And he raises his voice.]

Neither of us is a monster here. I'm sorry--but that's the way it is.

[evocate]

. . . ah.

[The small smirk from earlier grows in intensity. These people are rich.]

So this is the type you've attached yourself to. Are you so desperate for that sense of companionship that you have to seek overly sympathetic humans?

Hah! Sorry to break the news, but no amount of clinging to humans is going to make you one. Monster.

[contemptibility]

You—!

[One can practically see Tiir's anger flare at that. At the very least, the way he tenses should make it clear that it's taking all he has not to lash out right now.]

You of all people should know that I don't need humans for companionship, considering how many of my friends you've murdered...!

[messianic]

[....ah.

this is a mess, isn't it.

It makes Minato grind his teeth a little to hear someone calling Tiir a monster--twice now, he's keeping count--but he merely narrows his eyes and steps forward so that he is standing level with Tiir, side-by-side.]

If your only purpose is to insult someone I consider admirable, I will have to ask that you leave, Lir.

[Don't get into trouble, Tiir, let him deal with it, let him deal with the human acting this way before them--]

[evocate]

[Oh.

The monster's got a good friend. What a delusional human, to think that coexisting is possible. Someday, this will be the one to sacrifice himself without anyone to appreciate him for it. Lir is confident of that.]

I'm afraid I can't do that. That human shell standing next to you is only that at the most. His kind is toxic to society, as hard as it might be for you to believe.

And Gastark's got a bone to pick with those creatures. They may be dangerous, but they're also useful, you see.

[contemptibility]

[... Even though Tiir knows that no good will come out of letting this man get to him, that doesn't make it any easier to ignore him—even with Minato's compliment.]

Human shell, am I? Well, I don't think I've been called that yet.

... But I assume you intend to crystallize my eyes right here and now, then.

[His eyes flash red.]

I'd like to see you try.

[messianic]

[kasndlkamsld

Wow this is so bad. But Minato is pretty unamused himself, fists clenching--though still in his pockets--even as he confronts him.]

Enough.

I told you already, didn't I? We don't need you here--leave.

[evocate]

[The boy thinks he can tell Lir what to do. How hilarious.

Lir holds out his hand -- the one with the ring -- still smirking.]

Sorry, but I have unfinished business with the monster. If you know what's good for you, get out of the way.

[And suddenly, lightning beasts surge out from the ring as he calls out their name. Their target: Minato.]

[contemptibility]

[Yeah, Tiir doesn't even need to think about it.

A fool, a fool, he knows that he's a fool, but—he moves to shove Minato out of the way.]

[messianic]

[But Minato is having none of that. He expected it, in a way--and so when Tiir moves to push him out of the way, he grabs tightly to his arm and drags him with him.

Minato falls to the ground then, probably accidentally dragging Tiir with him, but at least they both avoided the attack.

And Minato draws in a short breath, trying to catch his breath after hitting the ground so hard, brow furrowing even as he reaches slowly for his Evoker.

And he pushes himself to his feet, lifting the Evoker to his head equally slowly.]

Don't call Tiir a monster.

[It's said utterly coldly, and then he fires the Evoker, summoning Beelzebub. Have some electricity right back at you, Lir.]

[evocate]

[Rebounding off the empty ground, the lightning beasts return to Lir's front -- after he leaps out of the way with a surprised, but still arrogant, look. Straightening, he shoots the two something akin to a sneer.]

Aah? Not telling me to call it as I see it isn't going to change a thing.

[It isn't so much a personal vendetta or hatred as he is acting on the wants of society and its desires.

That just makes him like any other person, doesn't it?

He's not the abnormal one here.]

[contemptibility]

[Of course it won't change anything. Tiir knows—he knows that even if they keep silent, huamsn won't change what they think of his kind.

Hate them inwardly or hate them outwardly—it's all the same.

... But it's people like him that kill his friends, people like him that are reason Lafra and Pueka are dead—

And so, after standing up, Tiir doesn't waste a moment.

He lunges for Lir.]

[messianic]

Everything makes a change--do not call him a monster!

[But that's all Minato manages to get out, legs spread in a fighting stance and Evoker clasped tightly, before Tiir is lunging forward.]

Tiir-san!

[aslkdnalksndlas what does he do--]

[evocate]

[Do nothing.

Lir throws a lightning beast in Tiir's direction with an amused yel -- just one, because that's enough to overpower a bearer of Iino Doue.

Oh, but he's not done talking just yet. He can go on forever. Kids these days; they're so optimistic.

Soon.]

[contemptibility]

[The impact is one that Tiir is all too familiar with, as he's thrown back with a cry. landing painfully on the ground.

Ignoring his newfound wounds, he struggles to stand.]

I'll kill you...!

[Wipe that damn smirk off his face—]

[messianic]

[Yes, he's still talking. And he doesn't plan to stop, even as he steps forward to stand between Lir and Tiir as he tries to stand--

And a breath.]

Why are you doing this?

[evocate]

[The lightning beasts dissipate after they make contact, leaving Lir standing alone as he nearly scoffs at Minato's words, somewhat put off by what he feels to be redundancy.]

I told you. That behind you is a monster. At most, he exists to be eradicated.

[And used.]

[contemptibility]

[Monster.

Tiir would almost be sick of it, except how can one be sick of something that's always been a part of his life? It's a bitter reminder than even if people can't accept him in this world, humans back home aren't quite as open-minded.

Damn it.

And to Minato—]

Leave.

[messianic]

[Minato just stands his ground between Tiir and Lir, stance battle-ready.

He just glances back at Tiir for a moment--]

I'm not leaving you.

[And then he turns back to stare coldly at Lir.]

That's what you think?

[...His expression darkens, and again, again, Minato judges--]

You're wrong. I won't let you hurt him.