[open] 📌 hey brother there's an endless road to rediscover

[phoenixdominant]

Who: Joshua Rosfield + you
Status: Open
Where: The Roost, Eltrut and Nogard.
What: An open log and a catch-all for all things March. Some manta board quests and open prompts.
Warnings: Tba.



[ 📌 a. the roost; closed to the hideaway crew + adjacent cr]

[Since Joshua's brother Clive's sudden departure into the rifts, a certain gaggle of brightly colours birds have been left behind to manage. While the crew has divided the work up thus far, Joshua feels as though the task of taking care of the island's local chocobos should be mostly his responsibility.

Now he finds himself in the middle of the makeshift pen holding out two very large, very juicy radishes out like they're vegetable-shaped swords.]

Now... Please. Let's try this again, shall we? Please be gentle when taking your treats.

[The chocobos are starting to coo and whistle sweetly at him. But they're also starting to crowd in closer and closer... And it looks as though Joshua is going to be mauled under a mountain of feathery friends if he doesn't get a hand with feeding them soon.]

[ 📌 b. manta board: out of the blue]

[Joshua may be aboard The Enterprise, The Stormbringer or any one of the neutral ships for this quest while going out to sea in search of the ever elusive and rare gemstone sharks. The early springtime air is still chilly on the wind but it's a beautiful sunny day for trying to find some exotic or dangerous fish.

Although, Joshua isn't sure how dangerous they will actually be or not. When he sees one swimming serenely through the icy water, he can't help but to watch it with some awe. And these creatures are certainly worthy of awe.]

It seems almost a shame to capture them...

[📌 c. bounty: bear necessities]

[On Eltrut, Joshua is on a mission to help track down and apprehend the thief that has been stealing ... women's panties. It's an outrageous crime and one that should be stopped immediately!

... Please ignore the way his face is blushing mad?]

We must find this man and force him to face the reality of his crimes. Immediately...!

[Perhaps Joshua has a personal stake in this bounty? Maybe someone took- his undergarments. Not that he would ever admit such a thing since he is not, in fact, a woman!? He is a gentleman!]

[📌 d. wildcard;]

[got something else? feel free to put it down here. or you can find me at michrure for more planning]

Comments

[ramuhs]

[Oh he knows.]

And deprive you of this wonderful teaching moment?

[SO HELPFUL.]

[phoenixdominant]

Cid...

[Joshua warns with a desperate look on his face.]

I won't be able to learn a thing if I lose my fingers along the way.

[Helpppp him.]

[ramuhs]

[But he's doing so well—

Fiiiine. Guess it wouldn't do if he allowed the poor boy to get injured. So he'll vault over the fence and make his way over to one of the chocobos.]

All right now, no need to crowd him, you'll get your turn.

[And just going to reach up and pull the chocobo away, said bird squawking in protest but Cid has a firm hand on the chocobo's head.]

[phoenixdominant]

[The birds seem immediately attentive to Cid's command. They squawk and coo at him but ultimately they do seem more at ease with Cid than they do with Joshua. Naturally, it makes Joshua frown at his lack of confidence with them but...]

Even with the birds, you're a leader.

[He can't deny that. It makes a small hint of sorrow in his chest. If Clive had the time to spend with him and the birds- just a bit more...]

[ramuhs]

[He just glances at Joshua with a wry grin.]

Well I am quite close with one. Perhaps I've grown some affinity towards them.

[Coughcoughharpycoughcough—

But he just laughs as he gives the chocobo a fond ruffle of the feathers.]

All it takes is a firm hand and making them know who's boss that's all. And coming by to bribe them with greens every now and then.

[He winks at that since that's most likely the real reason.]

[phoenixdominant]

[Joshua chuckles in return.]

I do hope you don't use that advice with all the birds you might know.

[He is sure that a certain coughharpycough doesn't care to be told who's boss.]

With these ones, I should try and practice with the more often.

[He takes another handful of fresh greens from the basket nearby and offers them to another. He tries to be a tad more confident this time and the chocobo takes them politely.]

That's much better.

[ramuhs]

There, you see.

[A nod of approval before he reaches over to take a few for the ones he's got around him. Better to not make them ornery, either.]

Have you not claimed one for yourself?

[phoenixdominant]

[Joshua glances at the other man.]

No, actually. It hasn't come to mind.

[He hasn't been in need of keeping a chocobo as his own.]

[ramuhs]

[....Hm.]

What of Ambrosia?

[He says it casually like it's nothing, but there's clearly some meaning there.]

[phoenixdominant]

...

[He sighs softly.]

She is my brother's bird.

[As much as that makes his heart ache- he cannot take Ambrosia...]

[ramuhs]

And Torgal was once his hound, yet I am once more finding myself looking after him.

[Split between himself, Jill, and Joshua of course, but having once taken in the hound before, it felt natural that he would find himself seeing the hound around him more often these days.

After giving the birds another pat he steps away to lean against the fence post, looking at Joshua.]

You should at least help look after her. She'll likely feel more familiar around you than any of us.

[phoenixdominant]

[He could argue that Torgal is his own wolf and has always been all of theirs to care for but- He knows that would only be arguing semantics.

The idea of taking care of Clive's chocobo seems like the natural thing to do. But at the same time, it makes this small spark of anger in the centre of his chest that Clive isn't here to do it for himself.

He glances across the field where he can see her pecking lightly at the new grass. Her white feathers as pretty and as glossy as ever. But perhaps they could use a gentle brush.]

I suppose I can pick up my brother's slack.

[... Sorry, that might have sounded more upset than he had wanted it to sound. He is still not happy that his brother isn't here...]

[ramuhs]

[He catches it, and perhaps he had thrown that out as deliberate bait to see how Joshua was doing. It's been some time now, but he hadn't had a proper check with the younger Rosfield, in part to give the boy some space. Now it might be a good time to see how things are.]

He did leave quite the void, didn't he?

[phoenixdominant]

[He catches that Cid did that on purpose after the fact. He looks down, his cheeks burning slightly with embarrassment. He shouldn't act like a child. But a little brother is entitled to certain things. Like being angry at his older brother for leaving him behind.]

Yes, he did.

[Not just for Joshua, either. Joshua's thoughts are constantly on how this has effected Jill as well.]

I know it's been weeks now.

[ramuhs]

Days, weeks, months.

[A small shrug as his gaze drifts off in the distance for a moment before he straightens up to grab some more feed to give the chocobos.]

Could be a year and it doesn't make the grief or loss you feel any less.

[phoenixdominant]

[As if on cue, Ambrosia starts to trot over leisurely. When she's near, she coos at the two men.]

Perhaps. I know Clive would not want me to dwell on what is beyond my control. And yet...

[He still finds himself so angry.]

It feels like Clive left us just as we were on the brink of everything we'd fought for.

[ramuhs]

[Hello beautiful~ Cid will smile as he reaches out and gives Ambrosia a green, stroking her neck. Although this world is the first time he was able to meet her, he had always appreciated the chocobo's strength and resilience as well as place as Clive's loyal steed. After getting her green, Ambrosia will lean over to Joshua, lightly bumping him. Hey, where's your share—

But Cid will be watching Joshua for a moment before leaning back against the fence.]

And on the eve of his wedding.

[Yes let's all just dogpile on Clive.]

[phoenixdominant]

[Ambrosia's gentle nature has Joshua giving her a soft look. He also gives her a chunk of fresh radish before patting her neck affectionately.]

To abandon Jill in her heartbreak. What kind of man leaves behind both his bride-to-be and his own brother?

[The anger spikes in his throat. But his voice is growing sadder because Joshua knows that Clive is the best man there is to be. He wouldn't purposefully leave them but ...

But he did. ... Why does it feel like that?]

[ramuhs]

[He can hear it, that anger—as well as that sadness.]

One who's going to owe quite a lot when he gets back, that's what.

[He then studies Joshua for a moment before he continues a little more quietly.]

What would you tell him if he did?

[phoenixdominant]

[Joshua tries to will back the urge to cry. It stings his eyes and he carefully brushes them away.

If he came back...]

I would tell him that he is a fool for going off on his own without me.

[It is a promise that had been broken. They were supposed to stay together. Joshua knows that his emotions are getting the better of him, though.]

[ramuhs]

[He sees the way Joshua is holding back, and it's now that Cid will quietly move away from his post and step towards him.]

Is that all?

[A gentle voice as he's now close enough to reach out to Joshua, but not yet...]

[phoenixdominant]

I ...

[His shoulders shake. His eyes burn.]

I would tell him... How angry I am for him breaking his promise to me.

[In the end, that is what hurts the most. Clive had promised that they would face anything and everything from here on out together. That nothing would ever separate them again. They would find their peace together, as brothers, and nothing would ever break them apart.

But now that means nothing. And that is what hurts more than being left behind.

Once again, he feels ten years old. Lost and angry and missing the one person who always promised to protect him. It's irrational. He knows. He is a grown man. But.

It still doesn't stop the tears.]

[ramuhs]

[A grown man he may be, but that doesn't mean one doesn't feel hurt or shed tears for the loved ones lost. And having seen Clive grieve over the brother he thought he had lost, he finds himself in an odd position.

At least he doesn't have to punch Joshua in the face.

Instead, he now steps in just enough for his hand to lightly pat Joshua's shoulder first before placing an arm around his shoulders. Not a full hug, but a partial one to give some comfort while still showing some respectful distance.]

[phoenixdominant]

[Joshua stays where he is, although Cid's arm is a comforting spot. He finds himself giving a stiff nod as if he's still trying to get his emotions under control. It's harder. And perhaps he needed to feel and cry this out.

He shuts his eyes, letting the anger wash over him. The grief. The sadness. And he cries it out for a few long moments.

The chocobos coo softly nearby, as if they can sense the shift in emotions on the air. They are sensitive creatures.

Eventually, Joshua reaches up to push the tears away. He then pats Cid's upper arm, grabbing it for a moment to give it a sturdy squeeze in thanks.]

[ramuhs]

[Cid remains where he is, not saying a word as he just lets Joshua let out those pent up emotions he's quite certain he never allowed himself to release. It will only be until Joshua gives the signal that Cid gives him one last affectionate pat before pulling away.]

The two of you will find the way back to each other one way or another. Done it a few times now already.