[Arlen glances up from where he was still whaling on the monster with all his strength and then finally stands but from it a little, letting the bloodied weapon fall to the floor]
I guess you're right. Just... you know. Getting everything out. Good to take shit out on monsters, right?
[he's quiet for a moment. That "I understand" catches him slightly off-guard but he does appreciate it and half of his mouth slides upward in a small smile. Cloud probably won't ever really understand how much the small sentiment meant to him]
Naw, I'll be okay. I could defend myself with a fucking toothpick. I'm like Rambo up in this bitch.
[ Rikku first saw the video, and rushed to where Arlen was. She didn't even hesitate or worry about getting hurt with his "weapon." She grabbed his arm, in attempt to pull him away from the messy creature. ]
Hey, bro! What has gotten into you? [ She is clearly worried, eying his weapon in distaste. ] If you need a weapon, I can let you borrow one. Or have a friend of mine make you one. Using a poor table's leg isn't nice, you know.
[Heather comes up behind him, staggering slightly from the pain of a very open, very fresh wound. The gash stretches across her right temple and is bleeding furiously. She covers it with one hand]
[he eyes the gash but realizes she's just lucky she wasn't hurt worse and if he tries to mother her she'll probably just roll her eyes anyway. He'll ignore it for now, though he pulls a handkerchief from his pocket and dabs at the gash with it. And then a glance down at the monster, which is more mush than creature now]
You think so? I'm not really sure. Still looks fine to me.
[he sounds exhausted and just all kinds of unhappy. The smile on his face contrasts starkly with his tone. He looks back, a spark of sympathy making its way onto his face]
No, I haven't. I'm sure he's okay, though. He's a tough old bastard. What we need to do is get you home. He wouldn't want you to put yourself in danger trying to find him. Trust me, I know. What he'd want is for you to be safe. And he knows you're smart. He knows you'd go home. The best thing we can do is wait for him there, okay?
[he's placed his hands on her shoulders as he was talking, and his tone is getting paternal again]
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[Cloud watches him for a moment then approaches, hoisting his sword to his shoulder and jerking his chin up in a half nod.]
Whacking it won't help anymore. I think it's dead.
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I guess you're right. Just... you know. Getting everything out. Good to take shit out on monsters, right?
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[He eyes the bloodied table leg on the floor and shakes his head a little bit.] If you're gonna be out here, you need a better weapon.
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Naw, I'll be okay. I could defend myself with a fucking toothpick. I'm like Rambo up in this bitch.
[and then a full grin follows]
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[he stands up straight and wipes some blood and sweat from his brow]
I figure you'd be used to my sailor talk by now.
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[there's a slight smile there, though he still looks just as troubled. One more glance at the creature on the ground]
How're you holding up with all this?
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[ Rikku first saw the video, and rushed to where Arlen was. She didn't even hesitate or worry about getting hurt with his "weapon." She grabbed his arm, in attempt to pull him away from the messy creature. ]
Hey, bro! What has gotten into you? [ She is clearly worried, eying his weapon in distaste. ] If you need a weapon, I can let you borrow one. Or have a friend of mine make you one. Using a poor table's leg isn't nice, you know.
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Uh... hi, Rikku.
[a slightly awkward smile]
Think it's dead yet?
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[Heather comes up behind him, staggering slightly from the pain of a very open, very fresh wound. The gash stretches across her right temple and is bleeding furiously. She covers it with one hand]
Arlen? Is that you?
[She peers around him]
I think it's dead...
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[he eyes the gash but realizes she's just lucky she wasn't hurt worse and if he tries to mother her she'll probably just roll her eyes anyway. He'll ignore it for now, though he pulls a handkerchief from his pocket and dabs at the gash with it. And then a glance down at the monster, which is more mush than creature now]
You think so? I'm not really sure. Still looks fine to me.
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Well, maybe it is still alive, then.
[She peers around him again, staring into the mush-monster's corpse before stepping back and looking him straight in the eyes]
Listen, have you seen my dad anywhere? I've been trying to get home and make sure he's okay, but I thought maybe he left to find me.
[She is confident in the fact that her father would do something so brave and reckless]
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[he sounds exhausted and just all kinds of unhappy. The smile on his face contrasts starkly with his tone. He looks back, a spark of sympathy making its way onto his face]
No, I haven't. I'm sure he's okay, though. He's a tough old bastard. What we need to do is get you home. He wouldn't want you to put yourself in danger trying to find him. Trust me, I know. What he'd want is for you to be safe. And he knows you're smart. He knows you'd go home. The best thing we can do is wait for him there, okay?
[he's placed his hands on her shoulders as he was talking, and his tone is getting paternal again]
Let's go.
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