shirleyhopeful | Inbox/Mailbox Post

[Following suit, he closed the door behind them. Despite the point, he kept his attention trained on her.]

That won't be necessary. Have you been able to make even the slightest connection to the coral?

[It would be understandable if she hadn't, but it was best to cover all bases. Of the few he knew in Vatheon, Shirley seemed most qualified to ask about.]

No, I haven't. [Pause]

At least, I don't think I have. Would you could being curses have a connection to coral?

[If that does count...]

Everyone else has the same connection.

[So no, not for this purpose.]

Do you know Death the Kid?

Um...no. I've seen his name before but we never met in person. [Pause] May I ask why?

[And somehow, this conversation seems a bit...different from the usual talks she had with him. ...Something about this didn't seem quite right but at the same time, she was not sure if it was something to worry about...]

The coral has been declining in power even before the attack on the barrier. Death the Kid intends to supplement it with energy; Zelda believes you'd be of help in the process.

[It had been his idea to propose her involvement. The reason he was here now was because Zelda had agreed.]

Then I wouldn't mind giving it some more power if that's all the coral needs.

It shouldn't be difficult and I've been meaning to look into the coral for quite sometime now so I don't mind helping out.

[Hm...something was definitely wrong but she can't figure out what...]

[He nodded.]

Get in touch through the communicators. I'll inform Zelda of your decision.

[And with that, he turned toward the door.]

Um...okay then, I'll be at the Plaza if they need me?

[...Or maybe not. It seems like she was just as awkward as ever with Walter]

Can I ask you something, Walter? Why do you want to help Zelda out with the coral?

[It seems rather...sudden...]

[He didn't say anything to the bit on the Plaza, though he did file that away for notifying Zelda later.

Stopped by the question, he turned back around—why did he, really? He seemed to flip flop every few months on what to do about the coral.]

Several months ago, she informed me of the coral's fluctuating energy levels. Now the situation seems to be growing dire. If the barrier were to collapse, even a Radiant wouldn't be able to survive the pressure.

[Shirley raised an eyebrow. Admittedly, she didn't know what Walter was up to but it seemed like it was determined to find an outcome to this.]

That is true...then- [Wait, did she hear that correctly???] Um...Walter, did you just say...

[What she thought you said? In the meantime, she'll be staring intently wondering what was going on.]

[Something about what he said had given her reason for pause, and he wasn't following. He raised an upturned inquisitive hand.]

What?

[She knew the term 'Radiant' was the Orerines language for Ferines. To hear Walter use it so casually...]

You said Radiant...

Is...is everything okay, Walter?

Everything's fine.

[She was dwelling on something like that?]

Don't forget to contact Death the Kid.

I won't but ... [Man, how does she approach this?]

Isn't it term that the Orerines use for the Ferines?

...And it seems like you don't mind?

[Has Shirley finally gotten her wish?!]

. . . Why would I mind?

[She was right that the terminology was largely reserved for the people of the land—though he identified with neither races involved.]

It's a term that the Ferines doesn't like so...I was surprised to see you use it.

[As much as Shirley was happy to hear that Walter didn't mind, it was rather strange that it was something he got over so quickly...]

It doesn't concern me what they don't like. History has coined the name for them.

[Simply straight up. There was no inflection in his voice—he was as normal as could be, the way he spoke.]

[Shirley thought about what to say to him. It was strange, she never thought about what would happen if Walter didn't let his hate define who he was.]

I suppose but...I'm glad to see that it doesn't bother you as much as it once did.

[She said before giving a small smile at his direction]

Edited 2013-04-15 01:09 (UTC)

[He didn't return the smile, though it certainly didn't mean he was upset.]

Back then . . .

[He shook his head.]

In any case, race doesn't mean anything in Vatheon.

Back then?

[She questioned but she was not going to push it any further then needed.]

Yes, you are right, race does not mean anything here. It is important that we stick together to help everyone here in Vatheon and something like race will prevent that!

[Then she let out a pause.]

...It makes me really happy to hear, Walter. It really does. [Probably more than he can imagine.]

[Back then, he might have been happy to hear those words (that is, if he wasn't bothered by the reason behind them). That he'd pleased the Merines by his own actions rather than incur her scorn for what he'd done—the shattered pride of which he could have picked up the pieces by the acknowledgment. But now wasn't then, and he felt, at most, a slight stir.

What did this girl mean to him?

He really couldn't imagine it.]

We have something else to prevent. Don't forget.

[With that final reminder of the appointment she'd made in regards to the coral, he left the room, this time undisturbed.]

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