005 [Audio/Action]

[aerialassault]

[Audio]
Yo. Everyone.

[It was midday that he addressed the village as a whole, without any lead-in or hint of apology in his tone for being so goddamn casual.]

I'm lookin' for a friend of mine. He's got long hair and has a pet pig-- lemme know if you see him.

[Action]

[It was training, Souji had been insisting for the last few weeks when he set an enraged, squealing Saizou upon him without any warning. Speed training for a little game between the two of them that they both had a stake in. And, finally-- after many days of running from the grumpy little pig-- the game was on.

Cliff had 24 hours to catch Souji. Truth be told, he had no idea what the little prankster was up to.

He'll be anywhere and everywhere around town that day, searching every corner and under every table for any hint of that teasing smile...all the while remaining on high alert for anything that would attempt to dive-bomb him.]

Comments

[ahappylie]

Tetsu-kun wondered the same thing.

[Souji finally picked himself up off the floor, dusting his kimono off.]

To be honest, I don't know if he likes anyone so much as tolerates them. [He laughed and swept his land along the edge of the sofa, picking up a small pink pig origami. He turned and held it in front of his face, turning it this way and that so it danced for Cliff.]

Unless you're me, that is.

[aerialassault]

Well. [Cliff studied the little piggie, frowing in thought.] I dunno if that's supposed to be encouraging or not, but it is what it is.

...I find a way to get 'im to like me. Somehow.

[ahappylie]

[Souji laughed again bringing the piglet over to Cliff to tuck in his shirt.]

Just don't let his grumpy nature get to you. He's really quite kind underneath.

[aerialassault]

[Cliff stared at Souji, bemused by the simple little action.]

I'll take your word for it, [he replied-- the memory of the little pig dive bombing him was hard to for get-- and grinned brightly.] You are the best pig tamer in town. If anyone would know, it's you.

[ahappylie]

[He snickered a little, stepping back to inspect the unconventional corsage.]

I'm not a tamer. He's just my friend.

Maybe if you treated him more like a person and less like a pet, he might start to like you. He's like a little person - with an adult's level of pride.

[aerialassault]

[Cliff left the little corsage go-- he'd corral it later, with the rest of the animals.]

Treat him like a person, huh? Does this mean I'm allowed to give him peanut butter sandwiches and get drunk with him on the porch?

[Because he was having a vision of doing just that now.]

[ahappylie]

You can try. He's like me, he doesn't drink much.

[Completely. Serious.

Or not, but he seems like he's seriously considering it.]

[aerialassault]

...and he probably only likes sake when he does, right?

[Cliff's completely serious too-- it was worth a try, if it got him into Saizou's good graces.]

[ahappylie]

He is a Japanese pig.

[aerialassault]

Then it sounds like I'm gonna need rice instead of a peanut butter sandwich. Got it.

[ahappylie]

[He laughed and nodded.]

He eats rice everyday, so he'd certainly appreciate it.

[aerialassault]

[Cliff scratched his head, already coming up with ways to bribe the pig.]

Yeah, that's what I thought...now, lemme take a guess. He probably likes a little fish too, right?

[ahappylie]

He will eat them, yes. He prefers vegetables, but I usually give him a little of whatever I eat.

[aerialassault]

Ah, I see...

[Handy information to know. Cliff made a mental note to investigate further, like ask Peony, and to keep a few carrots on hand for whenever he visited Souji.

Getting on Saizou's good side was important.]

[ahappylie]

[Souji patted Cliff's chest with a sympathetic smile.]

With time, I'm sure he'll become used to you.

[aerialassault]

[Cliff cast him a flustered, embarrassed grin.]

I hope so. It won't be fun if he doesn't!

[ahappylie]

Well, it would be fun for him. He'd get exercise chasing you.

[aerialassault]

I was thinking 'bout fun for everyone-- its not fun to always be running from him, yanno.

[ahappylie]

Well, it's funny to watch you run from him.

I didn't think such a big man could run so fast from something so little.

[aerialassault]

Well, I don't really like being charged by a friend's pet?

[It was the principle of the matter. Were Saizou just another wild animal, Cliff wouldn't hesitate to punt if he charged-- but, this was a pet, and his partner's beloved pet from home. He didn't want to risk hurting the little guy just by acting on instinct.]

[ahappylie]

Oh, alright.

[He'll try to make Saizou behave a little better.

Souji took a few steps back and then went to the table to clean up parts of his paper mess.]

I can always take him outside when you come over, if that's better.

[aerialassault]

[With a shake of his head, Cliff returned to sweeping.]

Nah. You don't have to. I wanna try to get along with the little guy-- it's important.

[ahappylie]

[He laughed a little, watching Cliff with curiosity.]

You may be one of the only people I've ever met who actually wanted to befriend him.

[aerialassault]

[Cliff chuckled along as well, amused that his reason wasn't more obvious.]

Well, being with you means being with him, right? We can't have things rough with Saizou and I if we wanna keep doing this for as long as we can.

[ahappylie]

[Souji suddenly saw Cliff's logic and he laughed, settling back on his haunches.]

Was it so terrible when he chased you that one time?