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Entry tags:
[open] February MANTAs!
Who: Vincent Valentine and you!
Status: Open to all.
Where: Eltrut, Crescent Isle, Temple Ruins
What: Just a spooky man doing some spooky mantas.
Warnings: None! Yet!
Rumor of a mad alchemist:
[Vincent had spent the voyage to Crescent Isle pensive. Pensive for good reason- given the stories about the island's curse. He had no way around it. None whatsoever- but he'd gone regardless. Chiefly, because the man he was tracking's trail had been cold for months. This- what the merchants had said at the market- the descriptions they'd given- the inventory they'd remarked upon him asking after, was the only lead he'd had in a long while. And he'd intended to take it.
Not that he was alone on this endeavour. Since the MANTA board had been updated, all manner of riftfarers- some new, some old, had sought passage toward Crescent Isle. The deck of the vessel that had carried them was brimming with people showing off items, medicines, trinkets- that they'd obtained or purchased from vendors upon Eltrut which had, upon hearing of the task, sought to make some money by catering to the new demand of not shapeshifting.
Vincent had been ambivalent, save for a few stray glances to the more boisterous groups of riftfarers on deck as they (loudly) show off their items. Trinkets, medicines and items that Vincent did not have. Hence being pensive. Yet despite such- he knew. transforming into a werewolf wasn't ideal. But given his history... not exactly the worst thing imaginable. Regardless of the external, he could keep his head. He knew that.
As his eyes scan those upon deck, they settle upon someone vaguely familiar. And so, he observes.]
The House That Watches:
[Upon his wanderings through Eltrut, usually on route to or from a job, Vincent (of course) had taken special notice of the mansion upon the edge of town. Call it reminiscence. Call it nostalgia. Call it something far more accurate- the simple appreciation of a somewhat spooky piece of architecture. Not like the mansion was anything alike the Shinra manor, of course. It wasn't abandoned, nor was it left to time- and it certainly wasn't falling to bits. Yet. There was something unusual about the place. So much so, that Vincent had found himself lingering by the locked gate when he passed- before eventually moving on. As time had went on and he had passed it more and more, he found himself staring unto the grounds. And finally...
Well.
Whoever happened to be in the vicinity of one of his more recent visits might see something shocking. They might see him, from an idle position, leaning against the iron-wrought fence, suddenly move- scaling to the top of the thing effortlessly, and jumping unto the grounds before heading right toward the manor.
How unusual. The question is, would this person follow the trespasser, or not?]
Not So Animal Farm
Fresh feed. As you wanted.
[Clunk. A bucket of a non-specific animal feed would find itself, roughly, to the floor alongside whomever was elbow-deep in caring for the animals. Vincent, personally, had absolutely no intention of doing as such himself. Only in gathering what needed to be gathered- moving to and from varying people doing their good work, intending on providing a supportive, more than anything else, role. And it made sense to him. He had absolutely no skill at repairing anything. No knowledge of animal behaviour- or even any sort of talent at understanding the animals.
Yet he had come anyway. And for what little he could do- mostly lugging items to and from varying areas and carrying messages- he had no complaint about doing it. Yet he seemed somewhat distracted. His eyes flit about the area, as if he's looking for someone, or something. And, as he does just that:]
Was there anything else?
Temple Ruins
[It was a rainy night. Utterly miserable for everyone involved in keeping watch over the ruins and the sleeping researchers. Vincent was utterly drenched- yet he had absolutely no complaints. If anything, this was something which he was accustomed to. Positioned up high in a ruined tower within the Temple's courtyard, shrouded within his sodden cloak and with his knees to his chest, rifle upon his lap, his eyes showed no sign of weariness or tiredness, maintaining their gaze upon the outside of the temple.
The song of the oysters continued. Faint, whispery, almost- and all around them, fading in and out with the constant hiss of the rain. Yet no animals had shown for a while. Perhaps this verse of the song was intended to gather them. Perhaps when the tempo shifted, the temple and all within it would find themselves beset once again.
Perhaps.
Vincent intended on being ready.
He shifts slightly, turning his head to whom was stationed beside him.]
Get some rest. I'll watch for a while longer.
Status: Open to all.
Where: Eltrut, Crescent Isle, Temple Ruins
What: Just a spooky man doing some spooky mantas.
Warnings: None! Yet!
Rumor of a mad alchemist:
[Vincent had spent the voyage to Crescent Isle pensive. Pensive for good reason- given the stories about the island's curse. He had no way around it. None whatsoever- but he'd gone regardless. Chiefly, because the man he was tracking's trail had been cold for months. This- what the merchants had said at the market- the descriptions they'd given- the inventory they'd remarked upon him asking after, was the only lead he'd had in a long while. And he'd intended to take it.
Not that he was alone on this endeavour. Since the MANTA board had been updated, all manner of riftfarers- some new, some old, had sought passage toward Crescent Isle. The deck of the vessel that had carried them was brimming with people showing off items, medicines, trinkets- that they'd obtained or purchased from vendors upon Eltrut which had, upon hearing of the task, sought to make some money by catering to the new demand of not shapeshifting.
Vincent had been ambivalent, save for a few stray glances to the more boisterous groups of riftfarers on deck as they (loudly) show off their items. Trinkets, medicines and items that Vincent did not have. Hence being pensive. Yet despite such- he knew. transforming into a werewolf wasn't ideal. But given his history... not exactly the worst thing imaginable. Regardless of the external, he could keep his head. He knew that.
As his eyes scan those upon deck, they settle upon someone vaguely familiar. And so, he observes.]
The House That Watches:
[Upon his wanderings through Eltrut, usually on route to or from a job, Vincent (of course) had taken special notice of the mansion upon the edge of town. Call it reminiscence. Call it nostalgia. Call it something far more accurate- the simple appreciation of a somewhat spooky piece of architecture. Not like the mansion was anything alike the Shinra manor, of course. It wasn't abandoned, nor was it left to time- and it certainly wasn't falling to bits. Yet. There was something unusual about the place. So much so, that Vincent had found himself lingering by the locked gate when he passed- before eventually moving on. As time had went on and he had passed it more and more, he found himself staring unto the grounds. And finally...
Well.
Whoever happened to be in the vicinity of one of his more recent visits might see something shocking. They might see him, from an idle position, leaning against the iron-wrought fence, suddenly move- scaling to the top of the thing effortlessly, and jumping unto the grounds before heading right toward the manor.
How unusual. The question is, would this person follow the trespasser, or not?]
Not So Animal Farm
Fresh feed. As you wanted.
[Clunk. A bucket of a non-specific animal feed would find itself, roughly, to the floor alongside whomever was elbow-deep in caring for the animals. Vincent, personally, had absolutely no intention of doing as such himself. Only in gathering what needed to be gathered- moving to and from varying people doing their good work, intending on providing a supportive, more than anything else, role. And it made sense to him. He had absolutely no skill at repairing anything. No knowledge of animal behaviour- or even any sort of talent at understanding the animals.
Yet he had come anyway. And for what little he could do- mostly lugging items to and from varying areas and carrying messages- he had no complaint about doing it. Yet he seemed somewhat distracted. His eyes flit about the area, as if he's looking for someone, or something. And, as he does just that:]
Was there anything else?
Temple Ruins
[It was a rainy night. Utterly miserable for everyone involved in keeping watch over the ruins and the sleeping researchers. Vincent was utterly drenched- yet he had absolutely no complaints. If anything, this was something which he was accustomed to. Positioned up high in a ruined tower within the Temple's courtyard, shrouded within his sodden cloak and with his knees to his chest, rifle upon his lap, his eyes showed no sign of weariness or tiredness, maintaining their gaze upon the outside of the temple.
The song of the oysters continued. Faint, whispery, almost- and all around them, fading in and out with the constant hiss of the rain. Yet no animals had shown for a while. Perhaps this verse of the song was intended to gather them. Perhaps when the tempo shifted, the temple and all within it would find themselves beset once again.
Perhaps.
Vincent intended on being ready.
He shifts slightly, turning his head to whom was stationed beside him.]
Get some rest. I'll watch for a while longer.
[The House that Watches] Nothing like meeting during a little spywork?
He's been stalking this house for days, possibly weeks now. Not hard to do with the abuse of dark corridors. Truthfully the Corsairs were supposed to be tracking a group of rum runners with similar qualities, but it sure was handy to have a lot of paladin friends he could overhear chatting about this curiously similar sounding group of nobles. Was there a connection? Were these the first signs of heartless activity? Axel had to know.
And then there was this guy. Axel quirks a brow as he watches them just casually scale the fence. They move so swiftly, he almost might have mistaken them for a bit of shadow activity themselves. But no. Definitely, flesh and blood. Definitely someone accustomed to this sort of thing like himself. What way in will they seek, he wonders?
Axel turns up his hood and moves to follow. If his intel is correct.. no one should be due home for another hour yet.
Slipping in and out of a second dark corridor he slinks along quietly, following the stranger step for step, juuust a few paces back to try and keep out of sight.
Time to see if his enigmatic friend catches on to him following first, or if he'll have the privilege of making himself known...]
For sure! ❤
He stops, finally, at a large fountain. There is no artifical light in this part of the garden. When the moon retreats behind a thick cloud, all that surrounds them is unviewable underneath darkness. Yet something even darker is upon the ground before him. It's the shape- the vague shape anyway- of a small human being, raising one of it's arms(?) in a waving motion.]
Found you.
[Vincent kneels before it, his eyes fixed upon the ground- before the shadow shape doubles over, as if laughing. It then contorts- growing and twisting into something monsterous, bristling and shaking- appearing as if it was going to lunge.
What do, Axel.]
Sorry Vin, we're in supportive spectator mode for now. IT'S ALL YOU, PAL
He had heard of others infiltrating during the day, attempting to gain audience with the family for their own attempts to learn more, but never had Axel caught wind of one of these shadow entities on their own like this. This guy may have just sprung something big.
Or it seems about ready to spring something on HIM anyway!
The assassin keeps calm. He won't pull a weapon, not yet. He came to observe and observe he will. Still, Axel tries to edge just a little closer for a better vantage point...
Both of these parties appear to move quick. If he wants to keep watching, he has to be ready keep up with whatever direction their battle takes.]
All good, all good! HE'S GOT THIS. ...kinda!
[Indeed, Vincent moving to his feet was a quick action- as if he were surprised by the shadow creature's form twisting and reforming into something monsterous.
Yet bizarrely, the man appears to linger, as if he hadn't a single thought for his own self-preservation. The shadow, however, erupts into life underneath him. It lurches forward in a great leap until it is underneath where his feet rest upon the ground- but nothing happens. The attempt is futile.
What could be the reason for this? Was it the fact that there was not enough light for him to cast his own shadow, and the creature to attack him through that? Regardless, he's either a fortunate idiot that just happened to be in the right place at the right time until the cloud cover is gone, or something else was going on.
The creature rages and roils underneath him, swping futily with its claws- as if it were trying to frighten him into fleeing to an area where he did cast shadow. Yet he does not move- crossing his arms- as if unimpressed. The thing responds to this- attempting to cross it's arms in synchronicity, yet failing.]
HE SURE DOES
[Huh. Well so much for that. Axel tilts his head. For a minute he thought the thing dissapeared entirely. A shame, but not wholly unexpected, perhaps it guessed it was outmatched, wanted to hide before making a strike or... but no. The closer Axel looks, he still sees it. There, squirming at the stranger's heels. Wholly ineffective.
Anticlimactic is the word that comes to mind. That first lunge had looked threatening; territorial if nothing else, so what changed?
Are they in cahoots? Their conversation hadn't appeared to be based on any familiarity yet Axel knew how lukewarm some of his own interactions within the Organization could be; it wasn't enough to rule anything out.
No choice. What were the words that kicked this whole thing off?]
"Find what you were looking for?"
[The Nobody sticks to the shadows, opting to let his voice carry. He'll keep hidden if he can help it, but with what he has already seen from both of these parties, he isn't banking on that being for long.]
sweet! ❤
No. Is this yours?
[The moon emerges from behind that cloud. The creature, finally seeing Vincent's shadow, bristles in glee before touching it- before it leaps back. It reapproaches. It tries once more. And, oh, it's fuming. It stamps its foot over and over.
Yet Vincent pays it no mind. It's not like he even percieves what it's doing, or trying to do- as much priority he's putting on finding the source of that voice.]
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Ah well.
He always did like to play with fire.]
"Sure seems like they are excited to have found you, though."
[Carefully he uses a dark corridor to warp from one hiding spot around the fountain to another. Sticking to the shadows formed around a few ornate pillars surrounding the place and the mansion's sides.]
"And I'd say you made a beeline to this place pretty fast for someone with no business here."
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Not So Animal Farm
[Of course Nanaki's been hands on -- er, paws on -- with all the extra responsibilities around the Conservatory. Truly, he's been super grateful with a lot of the extra help that's been coming by the place, from volunteer medics to helpers to extra guards. So seeing the extra feed bags brought by Vincent makes his tail wag.]
Do you want to help bring the feed to some of the other creatures? I could lead you to them!
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[A small sound of affirmation comes, hidden behind his collar and somewhat muffled, but he was still confident Nanaki's ears could percieve it. Without any other words, he leans to re-pick up the bags he had just placed down, his gaze moving from his friend to one of the paths that make up the sanctuary.
He had no will to do anything. Not really. He was pretty certain Nanaki could handle it himself (One might think a fourlegged person might not be able to carry the bags himself, but after travelling with him? ...He'd often found himself quietly impressed by the other's ingenuity) yet he begins to walk, knowing that the other would lead.]
...How long do you think it will be before they're capable of finding their own food?
[Some of the animals had been hurt, he'd heard. And presumably, the feed was for those that couldn't experience the autonomy of hunting or gathering for themselves yet.]
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Oh, it shouldn't be too long; most of the creatures we brought here were sick or malnourished, or had real bad injuries. But Turo's seen to a lot of them, and he figures that most should be able to go back to their own homes by the end of the month at the latest. It'll be a bit of a tight fit until then, but I'm glad to offer them all a safe place to recover.
[Vincent can already see the swell of creatures that have taken to calling this place home; some skin-and-bones unicorns grazing on bales of feed after being deprived of food, canine-looking beasts playing in the grass despite wearing bandages, a few makeshift cages for recovering bird-like creatures with plumage like fire. And that's just what's visible near the entranceway; there's still the seaborne creatures near the lake, reptile-like beasts taking up residence in the bog area, and a plethora of creatures sheltering within the thickets of trees. It's quite full indeed, and not a lot of the creatures seem to be 100% recovered, but they're alive and recovering. That's good enough for Nanaki.]
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When he had been told about Nanaki's chosen task upon this world, Vincent had thought that the sanctuary was little more than free land. Somewhere for Nanaki to embrace his more animalistic side. Somewhere where he could be free of the more irritating side of human(ish) society. He'd gathered that Nanaki took in strays. But to this extent...
No. He hadn't imagined.
He can't help but be impressed.
He comes to a stop when they pass through some woodland- deciding to begin transferring the contents of the bag of feed to a series of feeding cages attached to the trees. He's taking those for convienience. There's plenty of similar devices on the ground that Nanaki could better access. And as he works...]
What will happen to this place when you return?
[Wow, direct. But he'd never been anything but.]
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[Vincent's question is very direct, but it's not something Nanaki hasn't thought of. While Vincent fills the feed cage, Nanaki looks out past them, gaze settling on the wooded area around them. His ear flicks as he ponders the question.]
Well... I know I won't be able to stay here forever. I just hope that when I do leave, it's passed on to someone who'll keep up the spirit of this place.
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[He didn't know how long Nanaki had been here- given the fact that time itself appeared to be quite a stranger concept than what it had seemed before coming here- but there's come confidence behind his reassurance. In the few months he'd been here, no way back had presented itself. While not an impossibility, one appearing tomorrow or the day after seemed... unlikely.]
And you've people here. The one you mentioned, for instance.
[Upon finishing up with the hanging feeders, Vincent takes a few more steps along the woodland, looking back to him as the path opens up into a clearing, formed by a circle of trees. There, the pair might see a familiar face. It's the gigantic, horned beast Nanaki had convinced to escape those few weeks ago.
It lies on it's side within the clearing- surrounded by long grass and wildflowers- seemingly napping in the sunlight. A few lazy, contented flicks of it's tail both confirms that indeed, it is alive, and in the midst of a very pleasant experience.
...Nonchalance regarding the animals or not, Vincent can't help but feel somewhat... pleased the creature made it. Strangely pleased. Not that he shows anything of the sort. Instead, he merely indicates the creature.]
How's that one doing?
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Good spot to wrap this thread?
Mad Alchemist
Before he can take another step, someone moves right into his personal space and thrusts some sort of charm towards him. ]
Want a charm to protect yerself against lycanthropy, lad? I've got just the thing right here!
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Vincent watches for a moment. And he continues to watch, as the other riftfarers disembark. All apart from poor Emet-Selch, probably. Still having to listen to this seller's story.]
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I don't need your wares, man. Now get out of my face.
[ This, loudly snapped at the other man who is supremely undeterred (although he does at least stop leaning into the mage's space).
Emet-Selch takes the opportunity to brush past him, but the merchant follows at his heels, waxing ever more lyrical about his lycanthropy-free great-grandmother. Until finally Emet-Selch pivots sharply on his heel with a ball of shadowy fire in his palm. ]
Did you not hear me the first time? I said, leave.
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Well. That's certainly one way to get the merchant to back off. At the conjuration, the merchant drops each and every bauble and herb he'd been carrying, the majority of them careening along the deck of the vessel, causing the merchant to loudly exclaim his horror and scuttle off after them.
Vincent doesn't consider intervening. The merchant, shock at seeing actual magic nonwithstanding, seems capable of gathering his own stock. The method's hardly worthy of intervention either. It's not as if the sorcerer had turned his magic on the hapless vendor. So. Brief aside done with, Vincent continues to linger- catching the gaze of the (irritated) sorcerer as he begins to finally disembark.]
Emet-Selch.
[A lingering gaze. No more coldness in his eyes than what was simply his manner. Perhaps the other's irritation would result in nothing more than terse adknowledgement. Perhaps it would be more. That was his decision.]
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Oh. It's you. Vincent, was it?
[ He shoots the merchant one last glare and watches them scuttle off, trailing loose goods in their wake. ]
Are you hunting the alchemist as well?
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He's silent for a moment, allowing the other man to either continue on his way or say anything more- and at his second question, he speaks.]
There's more to it than locating a single person. And if you mean to find anything, you're going to want to embrace the curse.
[Some new information. Not that much- but enough.]
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Monster Hunter had me by the throat I'm so sorry
don't be! mh is a very good reason to take a break, ive heard its fantastic <3
it's so good augh
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pls excuse for butchering soulsight if this isnt how it works, i studied hard but haven't played 14
honestly canon didn't explain much either but [cont.]
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/thumbs up!
not so animal farm! :)
Even still, it's a stark contrast to Vincent's more taciturn demeanour. Surprised to see him here would be an understatement. She never would have guessed, but it was a pleasant surprise nonetheless.]
Yeah, actually.
[She brushes herself off as she stands upright at the lake's edge, shaking the water from her hands, and her eyes drift momentarily to the bucket of shrimp that he'd just placed down.]
You're gonna help me feed them.
[There are two whales in the lake, no bigger than a few feet, and they swim in small circles in the shallow parts, waiting.]
eyyyyy hello! ♥
Here, they seemed to be recovering. Not immediately, of course. Most of the creatures are withdrawn, as if they, themselves, are expecting something to happen. For all of this to shift and to change, and that they would find themselves in cramped containers again. But even that is a far cry from the pathetic picture they had struck within that warehouse.
When Tifa makes her (playful) demand of him, Vincent casts his gaze to the creatures swimming slow circles around each other in the lake. Not that he knew, or cared to know, their species or their name, but the pair seem to be beluga whales. Things roughly around five feet long, similar to dolphins, but possessive of strange, bulbous heads and long, elegant, bright white bodies.
And they're vocal. As soon as they percieve the bucket of shrimp on the water's edge, they enter into a series of high-pitched chirps and whistles- which even to him, indicate that they're very interested in what they've been brought.
Vincent turns his gaze to Tifa. He did have other things to do. More feed to deliver. More messages to carry from this area to that. But she's on her own. Upon his time here so far today, he had not noticed anyone else that seemed familiar. Chances were it was the same for her.
So ten minutes (or longer) wouldn't hurt.]
...
[Silently, he begins to peel off the glove to his right hand. Smell of the feed, and all. He didn't have any desire to carry it around all day. The spiked gauntlet upon his left stays on.]
Sorry. For not coming for that drink yet.
[Although, by now, he'd decided to join the AVALANCHE, He'd been busy. Some things never changed.]
❤️!!
I'm still keeping that seat at the bar warm for you.
[But there's no hurry, no push in her voice. Just her usual patient smile, a hint of playfulness finding its way into her eyes as she stands upright again, the eager singing of the whales growing louder with each passing second.]
Yeah, we're coming!
[She calls out to them before stopping in front of the bucket.]
You've been keeping busy?
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[An errant, wry statment. Nothing serious, nothing more, and likewise- his glove finds itself stashed. Not on the floor, but in his gunbelt. And he crouches at the water's edge- at one side of the bucket. He flicks some of the shrimp into the water- watching the creatures immediately go after them- one of the dexterous things arching itself just so to catch the food directly in its mouth.
Impressive. But to the question:]
There's been a few things. Some stories about a mansion on the edge of town. Some other things.
[A manhunt, essentially. The reason why he had been
barking up the wrong tree bypoking around the auction house in the first place. Now the only real lead pointed to Crescent Island- a place far removed from here. Yet he did not mind being so far removed from his objective. Not really, given the company.He turns his gaze to her.]
What about you? Other than the bar?
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[Tifa tosses another little shrimp into the water, and the two whales bump into each other trying to get it and start to chirp at one another. Are they arguing?]
Trying to find some time to do things other than stand behind it mixing drinks... See the world a little more while we all still have the chance.
[There's so much that she hasn't seen yet, so much explored and unexplored territory that she wants to discover. It's so rare that they are given the opportunity, and she would feel like she's wasted it all away if all she ever does is make food and drinks for others. Maybe she's being a little selfish in that regard, but she's trying to think more about herself lately. It's hard, but she's getting there.]
Speaking of... What's this about a mansion?
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[He had no right to comment. Not even with Tifa at the point where he had known her, when he was a friend- when he was more than what he was here, a person that had simply just appeared and claimed some kind of future affiliation. So he certainly has no right to comment now. ...But he had doubted that the upkeep of a business was the absolute extent of all she could do with her life.
He knew it to be all she had wanted, yes. Normalcy. Belonging. Roots to put down, to plug the gaping hole of those that had been ripped from her. But spreading those roots, exploring new things, adding to them... It's natural. It's human.
...And it's good, he thinks. It speaks to a sense of security. Of knowing that what she had would not be taken away again. But he does not comment.]
The mansion's nothing like the Shinra manor. It's occupied, for one. There's stories of the occupants not being human. I wanted to take a look.
["Stories" of course, would have been viewed as just that. Eltrut's town square was brimming with all kinds of tall tales and superstitions- but the tales had been given credibility with the MANTA board posting.
The clicking and chirping escalates, with one beluga making a rattling sound and headbutting the other with a large splash. The headbutted beluga squeals loudly, turning in a fast circle and seems poised to retaliate. More shrimp was probably required to distract. So he obliges.]
...Regardless, that's on pause. I'm going to stay here for some time.
[Not for the animals. Even though Tifa, at this point, didn't know him well at all, he can well imagine she wouldn't buy the concept of him having some kind of concealed bleeding heart for the creatures.]
These animals. Me and Red broke them out. There's been no sign anything is coming. But if whoever was behind the auctions wants to try to retaliate, I'm not going to leave him to deal with it.
[A small pause. It didn't need to be said that Tifa was a powerful fighter. Or that her being here (If she could find the time) would be very helpful. If anything happened.
...So he's just going to let that hang there. It's her choice, after all.]
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