fictionalized | log; for better or for worse

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log; for better or for worse

[It should be clear to Minato that something's very, very wrong. For starters, while Tiir hadn't been clear on the details beyond that their "king" was coming, Minato would've been informed that today was going to be an important day.

And for the past while, he's been unable to move. That might be just a bit off.

Then, as suddenly as it happened, Minato's body is freed. Should he seek any of the God's Eyes bearers, he'll find that they're just as confused as him. Sooner or later, though, Tiir, approaches, a slight smile on his face.]

Ah, Minato. We'll be moving again. It'll be a bit of a long trip, so get ready.

[Well, not that they've really had anything but "long trips", running from place to place in order to avoid humans.

However...]

... With any luck—though I'm loathe to leave this to something as fickle as fortune—this should be the last time we'll have to move like this.

[Again, he offers Minato a reassuring smile.

... Kindly ignore the fact that there's blood on him, he looks utterly exhausted, or that his eyes are red as if he's been crying (which is something Tiir does not do)—]

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[...Ah. Politics.

Minato has been studying up on politics, in whatever free time he possesses. It's complicated, and sometimes very disheartening, but he needs to know to understand this world. He needs to know to understand what this world needs.

And this is a step in the right direction, even if Minato doesn't know what brought it on, and even if Minato is still watching Tiir with concern.]

I see... Well, I can't imagine anyone better for the job.

[He knows Tiir is honest and just and kind and...well, that's more than most politicians here.]

If I can do anything to help, please let me know.

Thank you. However, just having you here is enough for me.

[There's a pause, though, as he frowns slightly, before he smiles.]

Though I imagine that I'll be rather busy from hereon, so if you could look after our friends—ah, well, I don't even have to ask, do I? But Ene in particular...

[... While she may finally be able to look into the sunlight again and may finally have her sight once more, she's in a fragile state right now, Tiir knows.]

[...Ene in particular. Ah, a clue to something that had happened. Though for it to have involved Ene--

Well, no wonder Tiir's eyes looked red around the edges. Minato knew very well how precious Ene was to Tiir.

And so he nods firmly, tucking his hands into his pockets and looking up at Tiir.]

I'd be happy to.

But...did something happen to Ene-san?

Thank you.

[At the question, Tiir looks away for a moment, before glancing to a blank spot in the sky again, before finally looking at Minato again. His expression is unreadable.

... He has too many different feelings over this. Grief, relief, gratitude, anger, guilt...]

... Yes. It's... complicated. She's fine now, however, if that's what you're concerned about. The worst is over.

[...how concerning. It's really hard to not worry, when Tiir looks like that. He just sighs quietly, tilting his head in a brief nod.]

...I see. In that case, I'll do my best to take care of her.

[And his best is always enough, because he's Minato, and he'd give every part of him to keep his friends safe.]

Does this mean we'll be moving again?

[Tiir knows he has to explain sometime—there's no way that Minato can't notice that something's strange when he sees her, considering all of the changes to Ene's body. Still, as of right now, he needs to sort out his own thoughts on the matter, once he has time.

He nods, looking apologetic.]

Yes. Even though we've only been here for a short while... But as I said, this will hopefully be the last time. At the very least, we should have Sphelliyet's protection as well...

[He then scowls, though.]

... Although I suppose that it doesn't matter if Ryner truly does intend to form an alliance with Gastark and Roland.

[Tiir did relent... but he's still far, far from pleased about the idea.]

[Tiir always acts so apologetic about it, even though it isn't his fault. It's a shame, Minato thinks--he takes so much onto his shoulders...

Minato just wants to help however he can, so that Tiir no longer has so much to worry about on top of everything else.

Though he pauses to try to sort out that political tangle right there. Gastark and Roland...he certainly knows the names, and the leaders and... well, he thinks he can understand why Tiir is so upset about it.]

...We'll make sure that, no matter what happens, everyone will be safe. [All of the god's eyes bearers, every last one of them. Minato is certainly determined enough for it.]

For now...that will have to be enough.

[He's quiet for a moment, before he smiles at Minato, letting out a light laugh.]

... Yes. That's exactly right. Well, with this alliance with Sphelliyet, we'll have to get the Iino Doue and Will Heim bearers to accept humans as well... though your presence here has already helped with that.

[He takes in a breath, before letting it out.]

The world truly is changing. I don't know whether to be afraid or hopeful... though either way, I really am glad to have you here with me.

[—Especially now that the main constant of his life is gone. He can't rely on Ene for guidance anymore.]

[Minato honestly feels like he hasn't done much at all. He's aware that every little bit counts, and his being there has certainly helped change the minds of the people he's been with, slowly but surely. It's taken a long time, but...

Minato knows that there's still more he could be doing. And...he will do it all, if it means helping Tiir.

Still, for Tiir to confess something like that--Minato looks startled for a moment, before he smiles a bit as well. That's...]

I'm still glad to be here. [Despite the dangers of this world, despite everything--] And...I'm really glad I'm with you now.

[Because everything is changing, and he can sense it...so the least he can do is be here for Tiir, always.]

... Thank you. I imagine it wasn't particularly easy, adjusting to this world. Though I still don't know if it's best for you to be here... you truly are one of us, even if you're human. Please don't ever feel like an outsider.

[He smiles, before looking thoughtful, if not a tad melancholy, for a moment—as he's reminded of who else is now human.]

["You are truly one of us"... Huh. Words he really never thought he would ever hear from Tiir. It's funny, how much change can happen, even in such a short period of time.

But Minato just smiles a little at that, touched.]

I could never feel out of place with my family.

[And as far as he's concerned, they are all his family now. Which is also why it's so very important that he protects them all.

Though he doesn't miss that melancholic look...]

...And no matter what happens, we'll always all be family.

Of course. That will never change.

[He will never be like those humans who turned on those they once loved. He will never think less of Ene for what she is—human or not.

... Things truly are changing, faster than he thought they would be.

And then, suddenly, without Tiir meaning to, his eyes fill up with tears.]

Ah...

[...ah.

Despite everything he's seen them go through, Minato has never seen Tiir cry. It's peculiar, but...Tiir has always tried so hard to be the strong one for everyone else. Minato can understand that.

And yet, here he is, eyes full of tears, and Minato moves automatically, reaching for Tiir's hands, if only to have...that point of connection, and of touch.]

Tiir...? What is it?

[He thinks, by now, with family--he can drop the honorifics, even if Tiir doesn't know the significance.]

Ah, no, it's nothing...

[Except perhaps it isn't, but... Honestly, what is he doing, crying? He thought this had passed before he left that room with Ene (Ene).

He removes one of his hands from Minato's, wiping away at his tears with his sleeve.]

... Well, this is embarrassing.

...It's not.

[Minato just shakes his head, tilting his head and looking at Tiir with quite a bit of concern.]

Isn't it...only natural? When something happened to the person who matters most to you?

[He knows something happened to Ene, with all of the hints Tiir has been dropping--and well, if anything had happened to SEES, Minato would have been devastated himself.]

I won't think less of you for feeling...

No, it truly is embarrassing... There's no reason to cry anymore.

[He lets out a light... laugh? Sigh?]

Ene is fine. If anything, she may be better off than she was before...

[She's alive—so shouldn't he be relieved above all else? Or grateful towards Lieral? And he certainly is both, for he would rather have Ene like this than not at all. Even if Ene's memories—the years they spent by each other's side—are gone, something more precious was given in return.

... And as much as Tiir dislikes the idea of losing their 'eyes', he knows that perhaps Ene will be happier like this. No longer blind, no longer confined to the darkness, no longer dying. She can't guide them anymore, but she no longer has to. That burden has been taken from her and given to him.]

So there... really is no reason to be crying.

[...it takes Minato a moment to process that...and then he just wraps his arms around Tiir again. Maybe hugs lose their meaning after too many of them.

And yet...he feels like with Tiir, that could never be the case. The fact that he can be this close, can wrap his arms around his family like this...isn't that enough, every time?]

I'm glad that Ene-san is alright.

[That's for certain--but also not what he meant. Instead--]

But isn't the fact that "you're sad" enough of a reason...?

[To be honest, it's usually Tiir initiating the hugs—for their wounded, broken friends who need them far more than he does.

And so, he still hasn't quite gotten used to Minato's.]

I don't have any reason to be sad either.

[Minato is pretty determined, though--and so he doesn't move, sighing quietly.]

Whether or not you have a reason...are you?

[He doesn't really care for the nuances, if Tiir is sad--and he rather thinks he is.]

[There's a pause, as Tiir appears to mull over this for a moment, before he smiles wryly.]

I haven't had time to think about how I feel.

[And Minato nods quietly at that, finally pulling away to look at Tiir quietly.]

...That's fine then. But if you ever need anything...or if you do decide that you're sad...I'll be here. I promise.

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log; for better or for worse

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