[Action/BBS]

[espio]

[Action]

[For a few days, Espio has been all over the place, and always doing something or other. He hasn't been doing his usual thing when he's not busy, which is sitting around somewhere high up with a book - nope.

For example, the fake blood in the training centre corridor the other day? That was him.

Today has involved challenging random people to Triple Triad (a game at which he's pretty much awful), playing guitar (somewhat decently) in the Quad, arguing with more random people on subjects he has no clue about (like chocobos), standing outside the home ec room in tears and cursing the very existence of onions, sneaking turnips with smiley-faces drawn on them into odd places, and casting silence on unsuspecting passers-by when certain nobody can see him.

Basically?

He is really, really bored, and has no idea what to do about it.]

[BBS]

Okay, two things:

First, "superhero" count. How many of you idiots are there now?

Second, I need swimming lessons. Not from the swimming instructor, either - ignoring the fact he's insane, I'm not a cadet, so I can't take that class.

Comments

[fierybluebird]

All right, I think I'm okay with that. Got any ideas for it?

[espio]

Influence.

[fierybluebird]

I'm the worst influence, eh? I can live with that.

[espio]

It definitely fits.

But you do realise it means that anything stupid that I do is now your fault?

[fierybluebird]

Eh, that's been the case for a year. Why do you think I'm dragging you out like this?

[espio]

Now it's official.

...to get away from work, right? Because of the blood thing?

[fierybluebird]

Aye, pretty much.

And like I said, I miss the Moby Dick more than I have in... about a year. I wonder if it's something about this season.

I never told you what happened to her, did I?

[espio]

No, you didn't.

[fierybluebird]

She burned up in Akainu's meteors. Just like Ace. [Stops carrying Espio at his side and moves him to his shoulders and head.]

So forgive me, I can't seem to help but want to protect my little brother here to make it clear to myself that I still can, eh. If you're upset about something, I'm going to be too. Same goes for all my family.

I did like the prank though. [In principle, not practice.] Very creative.

[espio]

Ah...

[That is much more comfortable. Espio's never really appreciated being carried, but if Marco insists then he'd much rather be sitting here. He leans on Marco's head.]

Sorry.

Guess I just got a bit sick of taking everything so seriously all the time, that's all.

[fierybluebird]

It's understandable. [Laughs softly.] No wonder we confused Grell though. Me being serious and you being... not for a change.

[espio]

Must have seemed like a mirror universe, huh?

But honestly, it's like, umm...

Oh, let's just fly already.

[It's strangely easier to talk about some things when talking to a bird.]

[fierybluebird]

You got it matey. [Since they've finally reached a good place to jump from, Marco makes sure Espio is secure on his neck and switches over into phoenix, taking off and flying. Complete with jet sound effects. Of course.]

[espio]

[It feels like it's been a while since they've been out flying. Espio almost forgot how uncomfortable takeoffs could be. He waits until things feel steadier before he sits up properly. ]

If we're going anywhere, make it somewhere warm! I will find a way to murder you if we end up in Trabia!

[fierybluebird]

[Phoenix laughs at that and calculates the winds in his head, heading somewhere south, following warm winds. He's not much in the mood for snow either right now.]

[espio]

[Taking that as a positive answer, Espio adjusts his position and tries to relax.]

It's not an easy job, you know. Being a hero. And don't start on your hero hatred thing, you know I mean my sort. It's not all just fighting for justice, it's everything - helping out people in trouble, charity events, volunteering in the community. I never had time to goof off - there's always someone who needs help, and I can't just ignore it!

It's a bit different here, and kind of weird, working for wages and actually having a job. But to me, it still feels like I've been in full-time employment since I was twelve! And the closest I've had to a real break has been the school breaks. It's kind of a long time.

[fierybluebird]

[Resists snorting and keeps flying steadily and listening patiently.]

[He can't talk back of course, but he gives a questioning whistle as to whether the downtime is what's making Espio so stir crazy, and after a bit, reaches back to nudge the chameleon with a feathery head. He's tempted to offer club suggestions, that the things Espio was busy with in his world could still apply here, but it's a little complicated to explain with chirps.]

[espio]

Or it could just be boredom, but it's not like I'm sitting around doing nothing!

[Slumps forward, pretty much lying down across Marco's back, arms wrapped around birdy's neck.]

I suppose I could try and do my usual work here, too. Might help. It's just that it's hard to care. It's like... say, my pet died, and someone replaced it and expected me to care the same way. That's frustrating enough, but on top of that, the new pet is mean, and bites without being provoked.

[He couldn't really bring himself to care much about Mobius, either. But then, he wasn't stuck on Mobius.]

Bad analogy, I know.

I'm used to people hating me and thinking I'm crazy, but that's 'cause of stuff I do. Here, people hate me just because I'm here.

The only worthwhile people on this planet are the ones in Garden.

[fierybluebird]

[Amused noise about the pet, no it was a good analogy. It wasn't like anyone would ever replace Whitebeard in his life, and he'd kick apart anyone who tried.]

[He nudges Espio again with an affectionate feathery head bump and nods in agreement. He didn't really care about the world or most of its denizens either, but he did care about the ones in the Garden. But, he'd always been used to that sort of attitude. In his own world he loathed almost everyone outside of the Whitebeard crew and allies. And Fishman. And the Samba or Foodvalten Islanders. Or Wano. Or their other territories people. Still there were billions of people he hated.]

[espio]

[Not caring about people outside of those he knew was something Espio wasn't entirely familiar with - it was actually a little uncomfortable to admit that he just couldn't give a shit, so he grumbled a little when Marco seemed to be agreeable to the concept. It felt wrong.]

Anyway...

Less moping. Shall we go to FH or something? It's super quiet, but...

[He likes the solar panels. They're good to lie on and soak in the sun.]

Or Deling. Seems more like a proper city than Esthar and all it's shiny blue-ness.

[fierybluebird]

[Nods. Proper city worked for him, and even as a phoenix, it was too hot for the solar panels. He whistles and heads along the way.]