heavenfang | Eighth Star

I think it's best I show you in person.

Um, okay. I'm in the new apartment!

Tir arrived, shutting the door behind him with a heavy sigh. He gave the mistletoe a knock as he moved into the living room, plopping on the sofa and looking a bit forlorn.

"I'm home," he called out casually.

"Welcome back," Kazuki replied back out of courtesy, currently draped haphazardly over a recliner that no longer reclined. He was a lanky kid, you see, and didn't give much thought to proper sitting etiquette.

With his head curved back over the arm of the chair, he looked at the upside-down Tir curiously. "What's up?"

"Well...you know how I told you that there's a reason I don't want to be close like that to someone again?" Tir said, another sigh on his breath. He didn't want to say this...but if they were going to be living together, it was bound to come up.

With some hesitation, he removed the right hand of the gloves he always seemed to wear, and on the back of the hand was a strange and gently glowing symbol (http://www.suikodenrpg.com/images/rune_souleater.jpg).

"This is the reason."

"A tattoo?" He thought out loud, righting himself on the chair and hunching over so he could get a better view of Tir's hand. It looked fairly normal at first glance, just the silhouette of what seemed like the Grim Reaper. But upon closer inspection, it didn't indeed glow a little, and a chill ran down Kazuki's spine.

"What is it?"

"The True Rune of Life and Death...the Soul Eater," Tir said in a near whisper, the very name of it haunting him. He tried not to think too much on what it had done in the past...but even then he could here Soul Eater in the back of his mind chuckling.

"I have very little control over its power. It has a will of its own and it had...in the past...taken the souls of those close to me."

Things like magic didn't come easily to Kazuki, since it did not exist in his world, but he could definitely hear Tir's serious tone of voice. It was not something meant to be taken lightly.

"So it... Kills people?" the notion was odd, but logical enough, "Why do you have it?"

"I tell myself its because the people who are after it could use it for all kinds of destructive purposes. I've learned that Holy Harmonia is not to be trusted. But, the reality of it...is that it chose me. It must have some purpose in mind...and while its power brought the Toran Liberation Army victory, all it has done for me is cause pain...," Tir explained solemnly.

Kazuki thought. Nothing had made much sense since he arrived at Discedo, and this was certainly no exception. His heart felt pity for Tir, who was obviously a very kind person, and burdened with something he didn't want. His common sense told him to get out of range as soon as he could.

He never had much to say for common sense.

"I trust you, Tir."

...

Tir paused a long moment, looking at Kazuki. He met eyes with him and still...still he had his doubts.

"You trust me...but do you trust the Rune? The chip is the only thing keeping it in check..."

"Well, no..." it was hard to explain why he made his decision, when it was half due to sympathy and half his gut instinct, "But here, I'm just as likely to get eaten by monsters or... killed. I wouldn't want to stop being friends with you just because of another risk like that."

"Besides, even if the worst happens, it wouldn't be your fault, right? I wouldn't blame you for something you can't control."

Tir curled into himself, letting out a heavy sigh as he placed his glove back on. He flexed his fingers for a moment, mulling over his next words. Things like this were always difficult to say.

"My lack of control doesn't make my guilt any better."

"...I'm sorry about that," Kazuki replied sincerely, "It must really suck to not be able to get close to people because you don't want to hurt them."

"But I don't think it would be fair of me to avoid you because of that. You're a really nice guy, Tir, and I'd like to stay your friend."

Tir couldn't help but feel a bit choked up. Kazuki has been the first to hear about his Rune at length, and the explanations as to some of his behavior regarding interpersonal relationships. And yet here he was, saying he'd still stand by him as a friend. Tir didn't know whether that was just foolish or...

"Thank you, Kazuki," he said in a near whisper, looking back up to his friend.

It probably was foolish of him, and he did have the feeling that he was doing something dangerous, but he ignored it. Tir had been extremely kind to him, so far as to protect his life against the monsters. Kazuki felt that it was only right of him to return the favor the best he could.

"Don't mention it," Kazuki smiled awkwardly in return, feeling very embarrassed for being so open, "You've already worried enough about me!"

"Looks like we've got to look out for each other, still, ha ha," Tir said with a somewhat inward laugh as he rubbed the back of his head. He then remembered something, his face lighting up.

"Oh oh! I bartered some stew ingredients at the Northern Lights! I've got a recipe that's sure to knock your socks off!"

Any mention of food that didn't involve "cold" or "canned" was sure to please Kazuki. "Seriously? That's awesome! I don't think I've anything that nice since that Thanksgiving dinner before..." Since he couldn't go out on his own very often, he had to simply make do on days that lunch wasn't being served at the cafeteria, "Thanks a ton, Tir."

"It's Gremio's special recipe! It may not taste as good as the real thing, but I'll do my best. Most of the veggies are canned, though...," he said, almost disappointed that he couldn't use fresh ingredients. Ah well, beggars couldn't be choosers.

"That's okay," he said, and sat up attentively with his legs crossed under him. Fresh things couldn't be grown here very easily, right? Although he saw that greenhouse on the rooftop of the high school, but that was most likely it.

"Who's Gremio? A friend of yours?"

"He was my caretaker since I was a young boy. He always made this soup for family dinners and such. Heck, even on the road he still makes it when he's able to. It's my favorite!" Tir explained happily, putting on a tattered old apron as he went to prepare the stove.

Kazuki migrated to the couch, and hung his head over its back so he could watch Tir. "Caretaker? Were your parents too busy to take care of you?"

Way to step into a minefield there, Kaz.

Minefield indeed. Tir stops a moment, going silent, before going back to his work. His voice, however...is a lot less cheery.

"Father was a general in the imperial army, so he was often away on duty or campaigns. And mother, well...she died when I was still a baby. So it was up to Gremio, a former subordinate of my father, to take care of me most of the time."

"Oh..." He visibly deflated, knowing that there was no turning back from a response like that. Open mouth, insert foot.

"Was he good to you?" Kazuki thought of his friend's grandmother, but she was a terrible example. Hopefully Tir didn't have it so bad?

Tir laughed a bit, growing nostalgic as he looked into his past for those answers. Gremio was more than just a guardian to him, really...but that was difficult conveying to someone else.

"I wish he'd stop calling my young master at times, but yes...Gremio was a wonderful guardian. He was by my side up until the moment I was pulled here, even."

Eighth Star

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[comment log] <3

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[comment log] lol these two could go on forever

[comment log] not that I mind, ha ha

[comment log] me neither :>

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