[There's a large, imposing man in a rather flattering sailor suit, a modified fishing rod attached where his right arm would be, and a confused scowl etched on his face as he's spoken to by a gaggle of construction workers. You might be able to catch the tail end of his (increasingly frustrated) explanations. It's not hard. His voice booms even when he's not intending for it to.]
Hold on now - listen here! Pay attention this time! I don't work here, alright? I'm lookin' for some folks! Got no idea how we're this far off of Costa del Sol...
[Ah, but poor guy! He's dressed as a sailor. Clearly he's a sailor! Obviously.]
ii. sidequest (natgeo photos)
[Barret's deft with one hand to work the camera with, having decided that, okay, he guesses he's doing this dumb picture taking now. The merc took photos all the time. How hard could it be?
He's been trying to get a picture of a beautifully plumaged bird in a tree for fifteen minutes. The angle's all wrong! Damn thing turns at the wrong time or he gets some unflattering shot, or his finger slips on the shutter button... he's got the shot lined up perfectly now, and is just about to take the photo when...
The bird startles - perhaps by someone's approach, or a sneeze, or shuffle of feet, and flutters away, to Barret's deep consternation.]
C'mon! Goddammit! Hey!
[He's rounding on the first person he sees. Sorry.] Was it you that made that noise? 'Fess up.
[This guy is huge, and 99% muscle, so even if he isn't intending to look mean (and he's not!), it sure is intimidating...]
iii. wildcard
[Choose your own adventure! Happy to do text threads. I'm taking Barret from... some nebulous part of Rebirth but I will be avoiding and marking for spoilers as they come up.]
[ Toph is maybe a third of Barret's size and still absolutely unintimidated. ]
Whoops, sorry. [ She does not sound sorry. Partly because she doesn't know what she's apologizing for, admittedly. ] I was trying to figure out what you were doing over here.
[ There's a blank cast to her eyes and a lack of focus that hint at her blindness, but there's nothing about her that makes it seem like she's having trouble navigating or tracking what's going on. The whole concept of technology is still pretty challenging, though, and she doesn't have a way to recognize that what he's trying to do is take pictures. ]
[It's a kid... an oddly calm kid, all things considered. Barret tries to follow her gaze and realizes a second later why he can't — embarrassed now at his outburst, he rubs at the back of his neck self-consciously. His irritated frown fades into something more neutral.]
Don't worry 'bout it. [It's gruff, but sincere.] I was trying to take a picture of a bird for one of the "artsy" folks around here. Been looking around for flowers, animals, stuff like that. They say they're working on a project.
[ She's been here for a while; wandering around looking for wildlife isn't going to rattle her. She can also tell by now when someone's clocked her as blind, but he doesn't call any attention to it beyond calming down and answering her unasked question, so Toph marks this as one of the better ways someone has taken it. It makes her chatty in response. ]
Oh, yeah, they've been doing that for a while. Somebody asked me, too, but I told them that wasn't really going to work out. I'm pretty good at finding things but the pictures might be a little too artsy.
[ Is that a sarcastic and deliberate blind joke? Yes. ]
[ he’s normally lighter on his feet — but he was trying to get a better look at the bird in the hopes of identifying it, squinting through the slats of his glasses…
he does not notice the giant mass of muscle for a man until it’s too late, somehow. oh wow. he’s even got a machine gun for an arm. he’s going to piss himself. sha-ming jumps back instinctively. ]
Hey, I didn’t do a damn thing, pal. Don’t jump me! My body weight is like, a fraction of your arm. [ he clasps his hands together in prayer. ] Listen… I can help you take the pic. Your arm’s throwin’ off your balance… just don’t kill me! Or else I’ll have to get desperate and you’re gonna hate that, big guy.
[Barret stands there for a moment, face set in stony consideration as he looks over this man in front of him, as if trying to determine if further intimidation is needed. Bird photography required a level of patience he was not known for, and he's sore at the idea of hunting for his elusive subject. A little sore too, at mention of his arm.
But he sees his point, and so relents with a frustrated sigh. Sha-Ming is spared.] I'm not gonna kill you.
[He says, his tone still customarily gruff. He holds out the camera, which is so dwarfed in the palm of his hand that it looks like a child's toy.]
Here. Have you got any experience taking these sorts of pictures?
[ whew. out comes a sigh of relief. well, for now -- people could always change their minds, but most people don't jump to the idea that they'll get killed over the slightest of disputes, so you know.
sha-ming reaches for the camera -- he feels it out in the palms of his hands before bringing it to eye level. ]
Yeah. Used to do stuff like this a lot. [ back when he'd help his parents with their research. he hates thinking about it, truthfully; somehow, the happier moments were the most painful of all. ] Birds are naturally pretty skittish. Their bones are hollow; it's how they're capable of flyin', so they got quick instincts to compensate. Mammals could stalk and kill them in a wink of an eye -- we're no exception.
So basically, you wanna make sure your steps are featherlight and that you hold your breath too. You're super beefy, so dropping to one knee'll probably make it easier. That way, you can shift the weight onto your other arm without them noticing.
[ wordlessly, he descends into a crouching position himself -- he brings the camera to his eyes with a single hand, then lets it click with a shutter. ]
Like this. Anyways, try givin' it a shot again. [ and the camera's gestured back towards barret. ]
[ He's not supposed to be out and about, but telling Minato to sit tight and not go wandering like an alley cat is a fool's errand. He can get yelled at later once he returns to the clinic. It's cool. He doesn't mind face-tanking Ethlyn, and Koromaru's here to supervise if anything gets dicey.
Watching the rippling water eases Minato's mind. He comes here for the quiet, which helps reorient himself. Except today, there's a flustered man who keeps saying he's not a sailor despite his sailor getup.
Minato rises from his seat at the edge of the docks and wanders over to the man. He glances over to one of the workers accosting Barret and lifts his hand. ]
Sorry for the confusion. I hired him for my boat.
[ It's a lie, obviously, but Minato doesn't think the dock workers care or keep track of who works on what boat. ]
[He's deep into what feels like the millionth, no, you got it all wrong, this is a misunderstanding and yeah, I know, I know, the uniform, but see — and is about to just split. Start slowly jogging away, or something along those lines. He's engrossed in conversation when Minato approaches.]
Look! Yeah, this logo! That's right, it's Shinra, and listen, I'd never work for 'em. Scum of the earth-
[The boy's mild tone cuts through this burgeoning argument. Barret looks over his shoulder, then turns full in the kid's direction. He's a scrawny one, with blue eyes not of the merc's electric mako hue, but something dark and still. A lake in sunset. They are curiously flat, a little like the kid's tone, and he's scrawny to Barret eye's, a little too pale. Nobody's sailor, as far as he could tell.
But looks could be deceiving. Barret's expression goes from surprise to consideration, a hint of approval in his gaze. Good idea, the look seems to say.]
Yeah, that's right. I got uh... [He searches for a lie.] a little turned around, that's all. You know how it is... new dock and everything.
[They did not know how it was, and neither did Barret, all of his experience about ships and sailing being from the adventure books he'd read as a kid (and would read to Marlene, when she was old enough.) But these workers aren't the spryest chocobos in the race, it seemed, because they let his obvious falsehood pass without incident.
Once they're gone, he breathes out a sigh of relief, then turns to Minato, a wide grin on his face.] Now that was some quick thinking. Good job - I appreciate it!
[He claps Minato enthusiastically on the shoulder.]
[ Minato is well-aware that he'd fed the dock workers a quarter-baked lie. He is, nevertheless, glad that Barret's played along with it appropriately. And because Minato knows it wasn't even worth a half-baked lie, Barret's enthusiastic gratitude is unexpected. He shakes his head. ]
It's okay. ...you're new, I think.
[ He'd heard new Chosen showed up in Aldrip from time to time. It's something he didn't have firsthand experience in tracking, given he'd arrived with the earlier wave. But even with his sailor uniform Barret stuck out like a sore thumb. It's as though he were plucked straight from someplace else.
And while he usually wouldn't have any problems with being clapped on the shoulder, Minato stumbles a bit. He barely catches himself thanks to Koromaru quickly stepping in to lean against his good leg, helping him regain his balance.
He'd unintentionally grasped onto Barret's sleeve as well, thin fingers curling at the fabric to keep himself upright too. Minato quickly lets go as soon as he realizes it. ]
...did you arrive with a parchment?
[ That's one surefire way to confirm whether this man is a Chosen, and they're not going to talk about how he's clearly favoring one leg over the other. ]
[ If she's intimidated, she isn't showing it. More than Barret, what holds Aerith's attention is the neon-feathered bird encircling her head, nipping at the ribbon in her hair, plucking at strands of her fawn colored hair like it holds all the mysteries of the universe. ]
Hey! Stop it! [ Her chipper voice is painted over in tones of agitation as Aerith swivels around and around, pink dress fluttering as she dances with the bird. Waving a hand over her head, she tries to get the animal to leave her alone, but her well of patience quickly runs dry. ]
A little help, here!
[ That's what party members are for, aren't they? ]
[He notices Aerith before he see the bird again, bright as it was, and brightens himself, happy to see a familiar face.
Reunions (estauns interius)would have to come after he rescues her from his photo subject, however. He marches over, waving his hand in the air and shouting.]
Right- sorry!
[And then:]
Leave her alone! Go on, get out of here!
[The bird takes his advice. It alights onto the branch of a nearby tree, and if a bird could look affronted, it certainly does, turning away from them. Its fanned tail is a kaleidoscope of colors, even at a distance. When the lights hit them, Barret is struck with a curious reminder: that of Midgar's flashing street signs, all its florid advertisements. Perhaps Aerith's presence brings on the memory too, something like homesickness.
Carefully, he plucks away a feather that's trapped in her hair, handing it to her.]
[ It's just like Barret to smooth over something so mundanely disruptive. While Aerith tangoes with the bird, he gets it to skedaddle, leaving her alone. Only slightly disheveled, there's relief ebbing into the edges of her features when she looks up and sees the animal gone. A cool wash of emotions floods her body, the reprieve made sweeter when she raises her head to look at Barret.
From the glasses to the boots, it sure is him. ]
You know from experience? [ A giggle punctuates her tease, before Aerith raises a hand to point with her index finger— the bird's tail stands at irritated attention, casting a heavenly glow. ]
[Most people would probably be intimidated. Especially if they were five foot tall(wearing platform shoes), scrawny, with rolled-up trousers to stop them dragging. Naoto wasn't remotely afraid.
Not of him at least.
It was quiet in this area. Which made it the perfect place to practice. Recent events had made it very apparent that she couldn't travel on foot here and she didn't have her scooter... So it was time to learn how to handle the local transport, the Chocobos.
Vaugley terrifying. If the high-pitched yelp she'd made as she swayed on it's back was any indication. She startled and nearly fell again at the voice. ]
[Truth be told, he's not expecting the chocobo. They were ubiquitous but rarely seen in cities where he's from, save in the areas around the slums. What's more surprising is that the jockey seems to be having so much trouble riding the bird. Red could ride a chocobo, and he didn't even have thumbs.]
Hey - hey. [He holds up a hand, his tone still gruff but more sedate now.] You're scaring your bird. Loosen up on the reins.
[It's advice Tifa had given him earlier on the road. He'd been off balance too.]
[Scott's usually pretty good at the whole not staring thing, being that he's a mutant and everything, but uh. This dude's freakin' huge and is that a machine gun for an arm?! Holy shit. He looks like something straight out of a action thriller, with this guy being the cool protagonist and everything. Okay, Scott's already kind of warming up to Huge Dude-- at least giving him some cool points, even when he rounds on him with that accusatory comment.
Okay, docking a couple for that.
Usually though, he'd be giving way more attitude, but he'll give him a pass, just this once!! Although, Scott still can't help but fold one hand against his hip as he stares up at the man. Damn this guy ate his Wheaties--]
I didn't make any noise. Pretty sure you scared it off.
[The response, given with a sassiness that is becoming increasingly familiar to Barret, puts him immediately on the defense, used by now to verbal sparring with Cloud. He frowns, as if not quite sure what to make of it when it's coming from a stranger, then huffs. Some of the bluster seems to leave him.]
... Yeah, maybe. Damn. [He admits, begrudgingly.] Photography's not my day job.
[A wry joke. He appraises Scott in silence, and then adds:]
[ Who thought looking for work would be this hard. Well, it probably doesn't help everything else has been going on lately, between memories and some others hunting for... well, he doesn't want to get into the particulars. Enough people decided to get in on that, that he figures he needed to fix his own mask before attending others.
He's just about gotten one of the dock supervisors to give him a favorable rate on hauling some catches of the day from the docks to some trucks (delivery boy again, huh), when he hears the agitation. The booming voice is certainly familiar, but it's not until he hears the words Costa del Sol that he turns. There's no way. ]
[ But, sure enough, as he comes into view of the ruckus, that's the man he knows. Although not the... attire he was expecting. Probably a story, but he should probably help him out... probably...
...Give it a minute...
Okay, now he's ready to call out. ]
Barret!? Hey, Barret![ He's putting a hand up to shout over the din as he makes his way over. This is... gonna be complicated to explain. Guess it's his turn to pay it forward. ]
[It's funny. If it had been in those days in Midgar, where he'd only been tolerating Cloud for Tifa's sake, and barely that, he'd be the last person Barret wanted to see. Today he turns quickly when he hears that familiar voice, and waves Cloud over, equal parts impatience and relief.]
Merc! 'Bout time you showed up! [He jerks his thumb in the direction of the construction workers. In an aside, he murmurs:] Talking to these fools is like talkin' to a wall.
[A little louder, now.] We know each other! He can tell you I don't work here - hell, I don't even know where "here" is.
[Honestly, Barret's not that intimidating, considering his oldest friend is a man built like a brick shithouse whose quite literal superpower is to make his body tough as rock -- but nonetheless, Kotetsu looks suitably sheepish and apologetic from where his unceremonious faceplant caused the noise that scared away the bird.]
I'm sorry!! There's this cat I've been trying to catch, and it got away through my legs this time....
[A protracted sigh that's maybe just a little comically drawn out.]
[ That sure is a guy that's just.. plainly towering over Ange.. It doesn't help that she is particularly short to begin with, even by Japanese standards, so she's looking absolutely tiny next to this absolute tower of a guy speaking up to her.
It should really be intimidating, especially when Ange looks like a stiff breeze could knock her over. And yet the girl somehow seems.. unimpressed, almost? Or rather, there's no particular expression on her face at all. She's wearing a total pokerface, even with him saying those words, sounding like he's trying to threaten her. (Even though he isn't.. Poor Barret..) ]
.. Are we now not allowed to cough in public anymore?
[ Granted, she didn't catch the reason why he's so mad about the sound, since she was just walking over. So she's really unsure of what this strange guy wants in the first place.. ]
[That poker face takes some of the wind out of his sails, along with the flat response. He holds Ange's gaze... then he scoffs, rubbing at the back of his head.]
Didn't say all that...
[Whatever! He points ahead and up, up, way up, to where his chosen quarry is glaring balefully down at the two of them.] It screwed up my picture, that's all. I'm trying to snap a photo of that bird up there.
[Poking around the docks seemed as good of an idea as anything while she tries to orient herself here. She intends to just hang back and observe until she can figure something out, but...
There's a crowd hassling someone. Her ears twitch, flick back, in contemplation. It's none of her business. It's none of her...
Texas strolls up, with the kind of calm and even confidence that implies she knows him. She's bluffing, of course, but he seems like he needs a hand in shooing away the crowd.]
Oh, there you are. The others sent me to fetch you, because they were worried you'd gotten the wrong address somehow. [She gives him a hard look that screams play along.]
I can show you where you should be. Because this is all -- a misunderstanding, right?
[What a strange and annoying place. It feels as if he's talking in circles — the gathering of dock workers buzz around him like worker bees, demanding that he return to his station (whereever that was). He's ready to start boxing when an unfamiliar woman approaches.]
The others? [A second later and he catches that look, announcing loud enough to be heard.] Oh, right! Yeah, yeah. Thanks for heading over to pick me up! Looks like I got turned around, haha.
[The dock workers consider this, and then at last slowly begin to disperse. Barret turns then to take a look at his would-be rescuer, and... does she have animal ears?
Something to ask about later.]
Thanks for the assist! Those knuckleheads thought I worked here.
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expiationlogs2024-04-14 10:44 pm
barret wallace | final fantasy vii rebirth | new player, tdming
[There's a large, imposing man in a rather flattering sailor suit, a modified fishing rod attached where his right arm would be, and a confused scowl etched on his face as he's spoken to by a gaggle of construction workers. You might be able to catch the tail end of his (increasingly frustrated) explanations. It's not hard. His voice booms even when he's not intending for it to.]
Hold on now - listen here! Pay attention this time! I don't work here, alright? I'm lookin' for some folks! Got no idea how we're this far off of Costa del Sol...
[Ah, but poor guy! He's dressed as a sailor. Clearly he's a sailor! Obviously.]
ii. sidequest (natgeo photos)
[Barret's deft with one hand to work the camera with, having decided that, okay, he guesses he's doing this dumb picture taking now. The merc took photos all the time. How hard could it be?
He's been trying to get a picture of a beautifully plumaged bird in a tree for fifteen minutes. The angle's all wrong! Damn thing turns at the wrong time or he gets some unflattering shot, or his finger slips on the shutter button... he's got the shot lined up perfectly now, and is just about to take the photo when...
The bird startles - perhaps by someone's approach, or a sneeze, or shuffle of feet, and flutters away, to Barret's deep consternation.]
C'mon! Goddammit! Hey!
[He's rounding on the first person he sees. Sorry.] Was it you that made that noise? 'Fess up.
[This guy is huge, and 99% muscle, so even if he isn't intending to look mean (and he's not!), it sure is intimidating...]
iii. wildcard
[Choose your own adventure! Happy to do text threads. I'm taking Barret from... some nebulous part of Rebirth but I will be avoiding and marking for spoilers as they come up.]
ii - spoiler away, don't care in the least!
Whoops, sorry. [ She does not sound sorry. Partly because she doesn't know what she's apologizing for, admittedly. ] I was trying to figure out what you were doing over here.
[ There's a blank cast to her eyes and a lack of focus that hint at her blindness, but there's nothing about her that makes it seem like she's having trouble navigating or tracking what's going on. The whole concept of technology is still pretty challenging, though, and she doesn't have a way to recognize that what he's trying to do is take pictures. ]
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Don't worry 'bout it. [It's gruff, but sincere.] I was trying to take a picture of a bird for one of the "artsy" folks around here. Been looking around for flowers, animals, stuff like that. They say they're working on a project.
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Oh, yeah, they've been doing that for a while. Somebody asked me, too, but I told them that wasn't really going to work out. I'm pretty good at finding things but the pictures might be a little too artsy.
[ Is that a sarcastic and deliberate blind joke? Yes. ]
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ii
he does not notice the giant mass of muscle for a man until it’s too late, somehow. oh wow. he’s even got a machine gun for an arm. he’s going to piss himself. sha-ming jumps back instinctively. ]
Hey, I didn’t do a damn thing, pal. Don’t jump me! My body weight is like, a fraction of your arm. [ he clasps his hands together in prayer. ] Listen… I can help you take the pic. Your arm’s throwin’ off your balance… just don’t kill me! Or else I’ll have to get desperate and you’re gonna hate that, big guy.
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But he sees his point, and so relents with a frustrated sigh. Sha-Ming is spared.] I'm not gonna kill you.
[He says, his tone still customarily gruff. He holds out the camera, which is so dwarfed in the palm of his hand that it looks like a child's toy.]
Here. Have you got any experience taking these sorts of pictures?
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sha-ming reaches for the camera -- he feels it out in the palms of his hands before bringing it to eye level. ]
Yeah. Used to do stuff like this a lot. [ back when he'd help his parents with their research. he hates thinking about it, truthfully; somehow, the happier moments were the most painful of all. ] Birds are naturally pretty skittish. Their bones are hollow; it's how they're capable of flyin', so they got quick instincts to compensate. Mammals could stalk and kill them in a wink of an eye -- we're no exception.
So basically, you wanna make sure your steps are featherlight and that you hold your breath too. You're super beefy, so dropping to one knee'll probably make it easier. That way, you can shift the weight onto your other arm without them noticing.
[ wordlessly, he descends into a crouching position himself -- he brings the camera to his eyes with a single hand, then lets it click with a shutter. ]
Like this. Anyways, try givin' it a shot again. [ and the camera's gestured back towards barret. ]
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i.
Watching the rippling water eases Minato's mind. He comes here for the quiet, which helps reorient himself. Except today, there's a flustered man who keeps saying he's not a sailor despite his sailor getup.
Minato rises from his seat at the edge of the docks and wanders over to the man. He glances over to one of the workers accosting Barret and lifts his hand. ]
Sorry for the confusion. I hired him for my boat.
[ It's a lie, obviously, but Minato doesn't think the dock workers care or keep track of who works on what boat. ]
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Look! Yeah, this logo! That's right, it's Shinra, and listen, I'd never work for 'em. Scum of the earth-
[The boy's mild tone cuts through this burgeoning argument. Barret looks over his shoulder, then turns full in the kid's direction. He's a scrawny one, with blue eyes not of the merc's electric mako hue, but something dark and still. A lake in sunset. They are curiously flat, a little like the kid's tone, and he's scrawny to Barret eye's, a little too pale. Nobody's sailor, as far as he could tell.
But looks could be deceiving. Barret's expression goes from surprise to consideration, a hint of approval in his gaze. Good idea, the look seems to say.]
Yeah, that's right. I got uh... [He searches for a lie.] a little turned around, that's all. You know how it is... new dock and everything.
[They did not know how it was, and neither did Barret, all of his experience about ships and sailing being from the adventure books he'd read as a kid (and would read to Marlene, when she was old enough.) But these workers aren't the spryest chocobos in the race, it seemed, because they let his obvious falsehood pass without incident.
Once they're gone, he breathes out a sigh of relief, then turns to Minato, a wide grin on his face.] Now that was some quick thinking. Good job - I appreciate it!
[He claps Minato enthusiastically on the shoulder.]
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It's okay. ...you're new, I think.
[ He'd heard new Chosen showed up in Aldrip from time to time. It's something he didn't have firsthand experience in tracking, given he'd arrived with the earlier wave. But even with his sailor uniform Barret stuck out like a sore thumb. It's as though he were plucked straight from someplace else.
And while he usually wouldn't have any problems with being clapped on the shoulder, Minato stumbles a bit. He barely catches himself thanks to Koromaru quickly stepping in to lean against his good leg, helping him regain his balance.
He'd unintentionally grasped onto Barret's sleeve as well, thin fingers curling at the fabric to keep himself upright too. Minato quickly lets go as soon as he realizes it. ]
...did you arrive with a parchment?
[ That's one surefire way to confirm whether this man is a Chosen, and they're not going to talk about how he's clearly favoring one leg over the other. ]
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ii, if u don't spoil me i may sob
Hey! Stop it! [ Her chipper voice is painted over in tones of agitation as Aerith swivels around and around, pink dress fluttering as she dances with the bird. Waving a hand over her head, she tries to get the animal to leave her alone, but her well of patience quickly runs dry. ]
A little help, here!
[ That's what party members are for, aren't they? ]
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Reunions (estauns interius)would have to come after he rescues her from his photo subject, however. He marches over, waving his hand in the air and shouting.]
Right- sorry!
[And then:]
Leave her alone! Go on, get out of here!
[The bird takes his advice. It alights onto the branch of a nearby tree, and if a bird could look affronted, it certainly does, turning away from them. Its fanned tail is a kaleidoscope of colors, even at a distance. When the lights hit them, Barret is struck with a curious reminder: that of Midgar's flashing street signs, all its florid advertisements. Perhaps Aerith's presence brings on the memory too, something like homesickness.
Carefully, he plucks away a feather that's trapped in her hair, handing it to her.]
Figures it would want to make friends with you.
[It's said gently.]
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From the glasses to the boots, it sure is him. ]
You know from experience? [ A giggle punctuates her tease, before Aerith raises a hand to point with her index finger— the bird's tail stands at irritated attention, casting a heavenly glow. ]
I think... that might be your picture, Barret!
[ Look. She's helping! ]
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ii - spoilers fine
Not of him at least.
It was quiet in this area. Which made it the perfect place to practice. Recent events had made it very apparent that she couldn't travel on foot here and she didn't have her scooter... So it was time to learn how to handle the local transport, the Chocobos.
Vaugley terrifying. If the high-pitched yelp she'd made as she swayed on it's back was any indication. She startled and nearly fell again at the voice. ]
Um- My apologies!
[Flustered.]
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Hey - hey. [He holds up a hand, his tone still gruff but more sedate now.] You're scaring your bird. Loosen up on the reins.
[It's advice Tifa had given him earlier on the road. He'd been off balance too.]
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ii; i'm up to cosmo canyon, so anything up to that point is cool with me!
Okay, docking a couple for that.
Usually though, he'd be giving way more attitude, but he'll give him a pass, just this once!! Although, Scott still can't help but fold one hand against his hip as he stares up at the man. Damn this guy ate his Wheaties--]
I didn't make any noise. Pretty sure you scared it off.
[This is somehow less attitude.]
you got it! 😎
[The response, given with a sassiness that is becoming increasingly familiar to Barret, puts him immediately on the defense, used by now to verbal sparring with Cloud. He frowns, as if not quite sure what to make of it when it's coming from a stranger, then huffs. Some of the bluster seems to leave him.]
... Yeah, maybe. Damn. [He admits, begrudgingly.] Photography's not my day job.
[A wry joke. He appraises Scott in silence, and then adds:]
Nice shades.
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i. spoil away homie, tho Cloud here is only at the end of Remake
He's just about gotten one of the dock supervisors to give him a favorable rate on hauling some catches of the day from the docks to some trucks (delivery boy again, huh), when he hears the agitation. The booming voice is certainly familiar, but it's not until he hears the words Costa del Sol that he turns. There's no way. ]
[ But, sure enough, as he comes into view of the ruckus, that's the man he knows. Although not the... attire he was expecting. Probably a story, but he should probably help him out... probably...
...Give it a minute...
Okay, now he's ready to call out. ]
Barret!? Hey, Barret! [ He's putting a hand up to shout over the din as he makes his way over. This is... gonna be complicated to explain. Guess it's his turn to pay it forward. ]
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Merc! 'Bout time you showed up! [He jerks his thumb in the direction of the construction workers. In an aside, he murmurs:] Talking to these fools is like talkin' to a wall.
[A little louder, now.] We know each other! He can tell you I don't work here - hell, I don't even know where "here" is.
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ii. spoilers fine w me!
I'm sorry!! There's this cat I've been trying to catch, and it got away through my legs this time....
[A protracted sigh that's maybe just a little comically drawn out.]
Swear that thing is some kind of evil genius.
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Forget about it. [He sighs, disgruntled, then reaches down to unceremoniously grip Kotetsu's arm, firmly but gently helping him to his feet.]
A cat, huh? Where'd it run off to?
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ii
It should really be intimidating, especially when Ange looks like a stiff breeze could knock her over. And yet the girl somehow seems.. unimpressed, almost? Or rather, there's no particular expression on her face at all. She's wearing a total pokerface, even with him saying those words, sounding like he's trying to threaten her. (Even though he isn't.. Poor Barret..) ]
.. Are we now not allowed to cough in public anymore?
[ Granted, she didn't catch the reason why he's so mad about the sound, since she was just walking over. So she's really unsure of what this strange guy wants in the first place.. ]
Re: ii
Didn't say all that...
[Whatever! He points ahead and up, up, way up, to where his chosen quarry is glaring balefully down at the two of them.] It screwed up my picture, that's all. I'm trying to snap a photo of that bird up there.
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i.
There's a crowd hassling someone. Her ears twitch, flick back, in contemplation. It's none of her business. It's none of her...
Texas strolls up, with the kind of calm and even confidence that implies she knows him. She's bluffing, of course, but he seems like he needs a hand in shooing away the crowd.]
Oh, there you are. The others sent me to fetch you, because they were worried you'd gotten the wrong address somehow. [She gives him a hard look that screams play along.]
I can show you where you should be. Because this is all -- a misunderstanding, right?
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The others? [A second later and he catches that look, announcing loud enough to be heard.] Oh, right! Yeah, yeah. Thanks for heading over to pick me up! Looks like I got turned around, haha.
[The dock workers consider this, and then at last slowly begin to disperse. Barret turns then to take a look at his would-be rescuer, and... does she have animal ears?
Something to ask about later.]
Thanks for the assist! Those knuckleheads thought I worked here.
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