Welcome, One and All

[revenancemods]

Characters: Everyone!
Content: Welcome to Traverse Town.
Location (including world): Traverse Town, 1st District
Time of Day: Any - subthreads may take place at different times
Warnings: None so far
Notes: This is an open thread: anyone may tag with anyone else. Tag around and have fun!

Well. This certainly wasn’t what you were expecting.

This part of the town is lit with street lamps and shop signs, illuminating the wooden structures and cobblestone streets. If it weren’t for the neon signs, you’d swear you’d landed in a small European town several centuries back.

The Moogle floating near the staircase leading up to the town’s item shop doesn’t help that illusion either. You may have already spoken with it; it’ll tell you where you are and that you’re in the realm of dreams, give you your starter package, and help you make your first Dream Eater. It will not, however, tell you how to get home. Sorry, but that’s not information it has, kupo.

Now that you’ve taken care of that, what will you do next? That is up to you.

Comments

[defrostedpride]

Among the downsides of having a heart was the ability to experience betrayal, combined with the inability to put off inconvenient emotions indefinitely. They could, however, be postponed for a briefer period. Even did so.

Staring rather blankly at a squeaking Meow Wow gamboling around his feet was much more productive. "What?" Surely it didn't think he was going to get down on the ground and pat it? Even's Pricklemane ducked out from under Xion's hand and ran over, bouncing for attention. Mememememe! "No. No, absolutely not."

[skysmirror]

Some thoughts and feelings needed to be put aside for a bit before dealing with them. Xion was familiar enough with that sort of situation.

Watching Even interact with the Spirits was interesting. Maybe he didn't like animals very much, or was just getting used them. "I think they're trying to be friendly."

[defrostedpride]

Even did not like animals very much. Even did not like animals at all. Especially not ones that were so enthusiastic about demanding his attention.

"I can see that. But I'm not interested in being friendly with them." A moment's laxity in the petting department, and the things thought they could walk all over him. "I said, no. Are you not capable of listening to basic instructions?!"

[skysmirror]

That was too bad. Especially when the animals seemed to like him so much, and want attention. Barkley whined a little, then trotted back to Xion for consoling. His human was definitely better.

Xion petted Barkley as she spoke. "I think they can--they're supposed to be able to help if we have to fight Nightmares."

And really, being friendly with partners was so much better than otherwise.

[defrostedpride]

Even was not one of nature's pet owners. He scowled at his Pricklemane, which continued staring expectantly at him.

"They can; I've observed this already. They're...not unhelpful." His scowl relaxes somewhat. Yes, Pricklemane, that was a compliment.

"But that doesn't authorize them to demand - whatever they feel like, without regard for the circumstances!"

[skysmirror]

Xion gave a small smile at the indirect compliment. Hazy as her memories were, she did have some inkling of what constituted praise from Even. "I haven't seen any Nightmares yet, but I think Barkley can help me handle them."

Still scratching Barkley's ears, she tilted her head in thought. It might not have been a regular occurrence, but she'd seen people interacting with pets on various missions. "Aren't most animals like that, though?"

[defrostedpride]

"Precisely." Even ticked off points on his fingers. "They demand attention, they get hair everywhere, they can't feed themselves, they need to be cleaned up after, they aren't bright enough to avoid breaking things, they don't learn - and they don't listen!" He glared at his Pricklemane, which had switched from bouncing to leaning against his ankle.

At least it wasn't actively annoying him. "Acceptable."

It chirped.

[skysmirror]

Put that way, animals did sound like a lot of trouble. However, Xion had an idea that Even-tirades weren't to be taken as the whole truth...not that it was a good idea to argue with him. It just made the tirade worse.

Fortunately, the Pricklemane seemed to have gotten some idea of Even's personality, too. "Looks like he's calmed down a little. Or she."