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]

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?

[aerialassault]

[Headscratch. Cliff had to think about that one.]

Aah-- it was't terrible, but it wasn't exactly the first thing I'd choose to do on a Saturday night either.

[ahappylie]

I'll be sure to tell him that only Saturday mornings are allowed then.

[aerialassault]

[Cliff sighed, defeated.]

Whatever. So long as he remembers his manners, things'll be cool. And, if a carrot gives him incentive to remember, that's even better.