maskormenacelogs | i can show you the woooooorld~

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i can show you the woooooorld~

Who: Kotetsu T. Kaburagi, Barnaby Brooks Jr., and Armin Arlert
Where: On a boat at some marina in Heropa
When: September 5
What: Armin wanted to see some wild dolphins. Kotetsu has taken it upon himself to make that happen. (Barnaby is the one who actually makes this happen)
Warnings: Possible PTSD and child-soldier things for Armin? Idk. Will update if necessary.

[Let it be known that Kotetsu T. Kaburagi has the best partner in the world. Not only had Barnaby been able to find a dolphin-watching tour in Heropa on (extremely) short notice, but he'd also found one that would offer the next tour free if no dolphins were spotted on this particular outing.

It definitely makes Kotetsu a little less nervous about this outing--true to form, he'd sort of jumped into this whole thing without thinking it through, but as the time for it approached, he found himself realizing he hasn't really...done this kind of thing since Kaede was four. After all, there was a difference between going somewhere with a friend, and taking a kid somewhere, as an adult. At the least, he won't make a fool of himself by not having found any tours by the time Friday rolled around, or the tour ending with no dolphins to show for it.

He's offered to get snacks for the others (Barnaby had politely refused, of course, which elicited some grumbling about how he ought to live a little, sheesh, though without further argument), but by the time he gets to the front of the line, he ends up just...staring blankly at everything, frozen by indecision at the realization he has no idea what kind of things Armin likes. Sure, none of these things probably existed in his awful walled world of people-eating monsters and children sent off to slaughter, but he's been here long enough that he's probably developed some preferences, right? Kotetsu doesn't want to screw up by getting something the kid hates.

After a minute or two of deadeyeing the various snacks (and the people behind him muttering testily at him to hurry it up, old man), he ends up just...getting one of everything, because that's totally an excellent use of his registration funds. So he walks back to his seat, a bag full of everything from chips to yogurt-covered pretzels, and dumps it out over the table they're sitting at, looking stupidly proud of himself. There's no way he could go wrong now.]

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[Watching Kotetsu agonize over the snack bar has been... interesting. There were a few times Armin was sure that Kotetsu would give up the fight and return empty-handed, and he definitely muttered a "he's not actually going to--" but no. No. Kotetsu returned with EVERY FOOD.]

That's a lot of food... [Armin is actually a bit intimidated by the pile of food. He's lived in Heropa long enough (cumulatively) to be used to all of the brightly colored packages, the strange smells and so on, for the most part. But occasionally the abundance of it still surprises him.

Adults are always trying to feed him and take him places. Armin never knows how to be grateful for it, properly, because he finds it a little bizarre to be treated like a child. He was very independent even when he was little, and doesn't handle being fussed over very well. Still, he understands the generosity of the gesture for what it is, and smiles.] Thank you.

[He very gingerly picks out a candy bar and a bag of chips, and very slowly pulls open the packaging of the candy bar to take a bite of one corner.]

I really hope we get to see some dolphins. I saw a killer whale in Nonah when I first arrived, at the zoo, and I've gone to the aquarium a few times, both here and in Miami, but... animals should be in the wild, you know? I don't like seeing things in cages.

[It takes a lot of willpower for Barnaby to resist the urge to roll his eyes at Kotetsu. While one can hardly fault the man's generosity, Barnaby still thinks he could have avoided clogging up the snack bar line if he'd just one one simple thing.]

If you had that much trouble deciding, you could have asked us what we wanted, you know.

[And anyway, no one needs to be putting that much junk into their bodies. But, as Kotetsu's guest, it's possible Armin might feel obligated to eat everything.

...Well, whatever. The food is already bought and paid for, so it's not like they can take it back. Barnaby unfolds his arms and looks over at Armin with a pleasantly polite expression.]

Yes, I've heard dolphins don't fare well in captivity. You'll probably get more out of the experience by seeing them in their natural habitat anyway.

[That's absolutely 100% true, and Kotetsu at least has the good grace to look a bit sheepish about the absurdity he's just committed, but true to form he also starts making an excuse immediately.]

W-well, uh....I just thought, y'know, having choices is good, right?? And! We definitely won't get hungry!

[RIGHT so dolphins. He's actually not sure how to address the captivity thing at all, given the whole...walled world issue, so he skips right over it, snapping his fingers and pointing at his partner with a grin.]

You don't gotta worry 'bout not seeing any, though, 'cause Bunny found us a tour where they let you come back free if you don't see any! Pretty cool, huh??

[Nudging partnerchan with an elbow a couple times, because he is dumb and obnoxious sometimes.]

[Armin blinks at Barnaby for a moment. Bunny? It's not the first time Kotetsu's said the name but it's the first time Armin's connected the name with the person and... wow. Barnaby does seem not like the kind of guy who'd be up for pet names. In fact, he doesn't seem like the kind of person who'd put up with a lot. He wonders, then, why he'd put up with Kotetsu. Maybe he likes Kotetsu's personality? In spite of being constantly bewildered by him, Armin likes Kotetsu. Or maybe Kotetsu's his type in some other way? Maybe Kotetsu has skills Barnaby appreciates?

--Dolphins. They're here to see beautiful sea creatures. Ultimately much more interesting and much more his business than whatever's going on with his host and his artner.]

Still, I hope we'll see some!

[Armin takes another nibbling bite of the chocolate.]

It's hard to believe that I dreamed of seeing the ocean my whole life, to turning up here more than once, and now I'm going to go on a boat and everything. [He smiles a little.] Does the tour start soon?

Edited 2014-09-23 09:20 (UTC)

[Barnaby just has this long-suffering expression as Kotetsu nudges him in the side. Clearly, this is someone who has put up with such obnoxiousness for awhile now.

Keen to move onto other things, Barnaby glances at his watch in response to Armin's question.]

It's scheduled to start any minute now--

[And sure enough, the boat gives a small lurch as it comes to life. Within a few moments, the docks begin to grow smaller as they pull away.]

[At this point in their relationship, that long-suffering expression is pretty much hilarious. That shit-eating grin takes a couple more levels in obnoxiousness and he nudges him one more time just for the heck of it before his attention goes back to Armin as the boat gets moving.]

--Looks like that answers that. You wanna go out onto the deck later or just hang out here?

Hmm...

[Armin just watches them and thinks, there are probably a lot of different ways people show that they care about one another. It makes him a little bit happy, a little bit sad, and a little bit confused.

Kotetsu is letting him into this part of his life, and he doesn't even know what kind of person Armin is. He know Armin's led a troubled life thus far, and probably feels protective of him for it. Armin's grateful, but he doesn't quite feel worthy of it either. From the very beginning, Kotetsu's been nicer to Armin than he knows how to handle. Adults in his world aren't nice.

And nice people, who offer their friendship and support, can sometimes be the worst people in the world.

The last bit of chocolate melts on his tongue, sticky, and the texture becomes unpleasant to him. He looks out the window a moment, and takes a water bottle from the table, opening it and sipping.]

Let's see how it is on the deck. I haven't seen the shore from the water before.

[Armin pockets a bag of pretzels in his hoodie, and makes his way outside. He immediately runs out to the railing, all semblance of his previous nervousness gone.]

Look at that! It's so beautiful!

[Aaaaaaaand he's crying.

Happy crying, at least.]

[Barnaby decides to follow after Armin, although he forgoes taking any snacks with him. As soon as he steps outside, the wind blows at his hair, and he's forced to push his curls out of his face. To be honest, he can't remember the last time he was on a boat for fun. Sternbild was by the ocean, so surely he'd done something like this as a boy.

Right?

When he notices Armin crying, though, he sets aside those thoughts and looks at him with a hint of concern in his green eyes.]

Are you all right?

[Kotetsu chuckles gently at Armin's enthusiasm as he runs past them to the railing, following behind him at a more leisurely pace alongside his partner.

Barnaby's the first one to notice the tears, Kotetsu leaning out against the railing, letting the wind blow through his hair and just...giving himself over to the moment, not thinking about anything. He blinks when he hears his partner ask that, though, and he looks over. Armin's crying...but it's not like the time when they first met. He doesn't have that same fragile, frightened look to him as before, as if breathing the wrong way at him could shatter him into a million pieces. A hand finds its place atop Armin's blond mop, ruffling gently with an equally soft smile.]

It is pretty cool, huh??

[He tries to catch his partner's eye, then, hoping to communicate wordlessly that it's probably best not to ask. Kotetsu knows very little about Armin, and only the very basics about his world, but everything he does know is absolutely horrific. And he hasn't forgotten the somewhat brittle look Armin had given him when greeting him upon his return, when he'd mentioned having gone home for awhile too, and was adjusting to the change. This tour is, ultimately, meant to be a distraction from all of that, and whatever's bringing tears to Armin's eyes is assuredly related to his own world.]

I'm okay. [Armin is still crying, but a smile lights up his face.] It's just so amazing! Pictures and videos don't do it justice! Even having lived here for awhile, sometimes I can't believe how beautiful the ocean is. I couldn't dream of something as beautiful as this.

[And that's assuring in its own way, too. The little mundane things - smartphones, coffee, sealed plastic bags of pretzels. Armin feels assured he could not be having some hallucination provided by his dying brain in his last moments, because he could never imagine half of the things he's seen here. Sometimes the complexity of it seems needless and burdensome, and other times, it leaves him awe.

Armin isn't startled this time when Kotetsu's hand comes down in his hair, though that does turn a little of his happiness into a tiny ache of nostalgia. But here and now is still good, and he feels safe with Kotetsu and Barnaby, and beyond delighted at being out in the fresh air on the sea.]

[Barnaby meets Kotetsu's gaze and wordlessly folds his arms over his chest. He, too, is vaguely aware of some of the more unsavory aspects of the boy's world, but Barnaby isn't one to just assume things are okay when he knows from personal experience how even seemingly innocuous things can trigger memories that send a person's mind spiraling into a pit of despair.

But he sees no reason for further inquiries, so he hangs back and gazes out at the water. After a moment, though, he asks:]

Is everyone wearing proper sunscreen?

[He grins a little. Kotetsu's lived near the water for a large portion of his life, so it's not quite so much a novelty for him, but Armin's genuine enthusiasm is nothing short of endearing.]

And it stretches out aaaaaall the way to Europe, too, it's pretty crazy, innit?

[...Of course, that grin turns a shade sheepish at Barnaby's question.]

A-aa, it's not...that hot...is it...?

[In other words, he forgot.]

[Armin can't help but laugh at Kotetsu's nervousness.] I always apply it before I go out these days - when I first came, I think I was sunburned for three weeks straight, always visiting the beach.

[Armin rubs at his arm absently. All signs of that have faded, now.] Though it wouldn't be too bad to get all of those freckles back...! [He begins digging through the shoulder bag he always keeps on his person, pulling out a tube of sunblock.] You probably don't even need this high a SPF... you wore some, didn't you Barnaby?

[He answers with a light smile for Armin's sake.] Of course I did. [You don't get skin as flawless as his without taking proper care of it, after all.

Which makes Kotetsu's answer all the more embarrassing.]

Whether it's hot or not has nothing to do with whether you'll get burned. It's a good thing Armin brought something along, or else you'd be sorry later. [Honestly...]

[He huffs, puffing out a cheek a little as he points at the some fluffy clouds overhead.]

I just meant, it's kinda cloudy and stuff, and I don't burn that easy anyway.

[Buuuut he takes the sunblock anyway because he doesn't want to get the full lecture this time, siiiiiighing as he applies it to his arms, neck, and face.]

Happy now?

[Armin takes the bottle from Kotetsu once he's done. It's pretty clear he's trying not to laugh out loud at his behavior.] Thank you. With the hole in the ozone layer, we all need to be cautious of UV rays regardless of the weather.

[He walks back over to the railing, looking out over the sea.] Hey, it looks like there must be a school of fish over there! All those birds! I wonder if there are dolphins there, too?

Yes, you would do well to remember that UV rays can harm you even if the sun isn't out. [Armin isn't even from this world and he remembered to bring sunscreen. What's your excuse, Kotetsu? :|

He looks over at Armin, then shifts his attention to the nearby flock of birds.]

Maybe. I'm not sure what time dolphins usually feed.

It's not that big a deal...

[Said in a slightly nasally whine, because Kotetsu is such a child about things sometimes.]

There could be! Pretty sure the captain guy usually makes announcements about that kinda thing over the PA...

[And riiiight on cue, there's the and if you direct your attention to the starboard side sounding out over the ship, as a spray of water comes out from a blowhole and a few gray shapes can be seen swimming about under the surface.]

Speak of the devils, huh??

When people fuss like that, it's only because you matter to them. [Armin chides gently. That expression is soon distracted as Armin spins around to look out at the dolphins, immediately raising his phone to snap pictures with it.] Wow! Wow, look at that! They're so fast! Their skin looks like rubber!

[He's misting up again. Yeah. He's a happy-crier.]

["It's only because you matter to them", Armin says. Well, he isn't wrong in this case, but the comment still makes Barnaby feel a little too embarrassed to meet Kotetsu's gaze. Thankfully, the dolphins prove to be an effective distraction for everyone.]

Yes, they're very energetic, aren't they.

[Bunny's not the only one feeling a little embarrassed at that moment. For Kotetsu's part, he looks a bit the part of a scolded child, a slight flush dusting his cheeks as he huffs and mumbles something like 'yeah, yeaaaaah...' as he leans against the railing.]

They feel pretty rubbery, too.

[...]

Nnnnnot that you should try to touch 'em. That's, definitely, more an aquarium thing to do.

[.....Look he feels obligated to mention this just in case. He kind of doubts Armin can swim, and jumping into the ocean from a ship is not high up on his list of experiences he's keen on repeating.]

I read there are places in Hawaii you can swim with dolphins. It's supposed to be good for you, psychologically. But I don't like zoos and aquariums. Living things deserve to be free! Look at how happy they are!

[Armin is overwhelmed with joy, snapping pictures with his phone.]

Zoos and aquariums have their place, but I agree that it's better to see dolphins in their natural habitat.

[Having pulled out his own phone, Barnaby actually snaps a few pictures for himself. But instead of keeping his attention solely on the dolphins, he turns to catch Armin and Kotetsu in the frame, grabbing a photo of them as well. He doesn't really know Armin, but the happiness in his eyes while he and Kotetsu watch the dolphins makes for a nice candid shot.

While he's at it, he can't help but zoom in on Kotetsu, with his windswept hair and casual lean against the railing. Without saying a word, he takes the picture and lowers his phone in order to double check all the shots.]

Huh, that so? Didn't know that kinda thing was good for you. You're a pretty smart kid, y'know!!

[Still generally avoiding the topic of captivity, because he'd rather not shove his foot in his mouth somewhere and ruin Armin's enjoyment.

Kotetsu's mostly content to just watch the dolphins rather than photograph them, but it does give him an idea around the time that first group of dolphin moves on.]

Hey, we should all take a picture together while we're out here! One of those, uh, what-do-you-call-'ems. Selfers?

[#still hip]

[Armin grins. His face is probably going to be sore by the time this outing is done. What will he do.]

Do you mean a selfie? Sure!

[He... kind of wants to ask Kotetsu if he knows how to do that. But doesn't want to be impolite.]

["Selfers". Oh brother...]

All right.

[Upon agreeing, he moves in closer. Rather than leaving it to his partner, part of him is tempted to just take the shot himself. Since it's Kotetsu's idea, though, Barnaby decides to indulge him.]

[Kotetsu scoots in close to the two blonds, slinging one arm across their shoulders, and...actually turning the phone around like one might with a disposable Kodak camera.]

Say dolphins!

[Does his phone not have a front-facing camera? Wow. Wow. Again Armin doesn't want to be rude, after all Kotetsu has lived in this sort of world a lot longer, so he just smiles and poses.]

Dolphins!

...[Barnaby just politely smiles. He is too cool for your dad shenanigans, Kotetsu.]

[Party Pooper Brooks Jr.

Kotetsu turns the phone back around to look at the picture--it actually turned out pretty well, even though he totally did it wrong (it does, indeed, have a front-facing camera), and grins as he shows it to the others.]

Soooo, should we go back in or stick around here a bit longer?

[There is still that mountain of junkfood to be properly attacked. `_`]

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i can show you the woooooorld~

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wow i'm so late sorryyyy

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