retrospec | (no subject)

(no subject)

[he can't believe it's easier to confess things to the internet than talking about them irl but. well. thanks fucking speech bubbles.]

know most of us are in that not my memories not me state so this'll probably be an unpopular question.

i need to get back more memories. seem to only get them while dying but i promised not to do that anymore. no drugs either.

[although given his memories, they'd probably help]

i've got five people i need to know more about. and a freakish reindeer. might be a raccoon. whatever. don't give me shit.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Repayment for all the times you crashed on the boat.

[Just saying. You owe him.

They finally pull into the zoo parking lot and Zoro manages to find a good spot. It's close to closing–they've got maybe an hour or two–but that's fine. Zoro gets out, smacking Baren on the arm.]

Come on. Let's go watch animals poop.

Oh yeah, did you get that back?

[Since it fucking descended from the sky.

He legitimately forgot to ask. But at the smack on his arm, he opens his eyes and exits the car. Aaaand also immediately pulls out a packet of cigarettes to light and smoke. Not for his nerves, but in case of Rogue Thought Bubbles.]

It was trashed. Beyond saving. Insurance is gonna get back to me.

[He... seems less upset over it? If anything, he's at least glad for the closure. At least he has an answer to one thing in his life.

He gets them both tickets but holds Baren's out of reach before they enter, giving him a flat look.]

Put it out. There're kids.

[Don't give kids second-hand smoke, jerk.]

[He obviously doesn't want to do that.

But.]

So we go the path less traveled.

[I can't close my eyes to not see your thoughts here, Z.

Or I could. Fighting a bear might upset the kids too, though.

But provided that there are not small children lingering around the entrance he does blow a stream of smoke upward so it does make his own thoughts hazy.]

[Yeah. A bit too late. He gets the gist of the first one. That, combined with the overdramatic statement, only make him roll his eyes.]

Then don't close your eyes. It's not like they're gonna stop anyway.

[Even if I want them to.

He sighs in aggravation and leads the way in, all but shoving his ticket at the employee.]

Pick an animal.

[ . . . . stupid.

At least Baren does put out the cigarette, huffing an annoyed breath as he shoves his hands in his pockets and follows. His sleeves are probably still way too long on his arms, which doesn't make sense for Fall?

But y'know. Sweater paws.

Regardless he'll look around to the different signs and - against all odds, perk up strictly because he likes animals more than people and]

Elephants! I bet they're smarter than you.

You think everything's smarter than me.

[It's good to see him like that. He walks over to the map, finds the elephants and nods.]

Looks like they're up there.

[He says, pointing in the wrong direction. He got it right on the map?? Where did he go so wrong??]

["Like that" - probably means not moping, right? Baren figures that it was probably getting annoying and that's all Zoro means. He watches Zoro manage to completely fuck up directions again and -

There's a brief noise that sounds like half a laugh.

Before he reaches out to grab Zoro by the collar again and move to drag him in the right direction.]

Try over here, stupid.

Did you know that elephants remember old watering holes over decades? [Fun animal facts with Baren....] They're already smarter than you there.

They also get freaked out by mice. Elephants 1, Zoro 1.

[CAN'T BEAT HIM, TRUNK MONSTER

Half a laugh is refreshing. Zoro thinks he can do better. Somehow.]

Didn't know you related so much with elephants. That mean you're decades old too?

[At least 500 years?

Baren shrugs, his thoughts answering where he doesn't want to. Instead he's turning his head at every new noise from the animals that they pass by. He walks closer to the edge of the path because he wants to see as many animals as possible. Loser. He's been here a thousand times and still...]

I don't really get what connection you're trying to make -

Oh, hey, look Z - flamingos...!!

[yeah remember how he said he didn't think coming to the zoo would help him]

Oh. Hey.

[He gives them a look over for a bit, not nearly as entranced as Baren. Then he stops, feigns surprise and points at Baren.]

Whoa. One escaped.

Edited 2017-09-10 21:15 (UTC)

I'm a peacock, get it right.

[At least he acknowledges that though.... and he looks back over to the flamingos. He reaches up to his hair in thought, the bells ring under his fingertips before he glances back over to Zoro and grins.]

You should get me a feather for my hair before we leave.

[why zoro]

Maybe you're both. Don't be so close-minded.

[He grins back, shoving his hands in his pockets and leans forward, as if that'll let him see the flamingos any better. The request for a feather is noted and filed away. He needs to consider what type. And if he'll break any laws to get it.

Could be good stress relief.]

Why are half of them missing legs?

[is it really a proper husbands date if they don't almost get arrested for something they want to do

and baren just looks over to zoro and stares]

... same reason why you're missing half a brain, I guess.

[Idiot.

That's the fondest thought bubble though.

Terrible.

Baren will move so that they can keep walking though, because the elephants await. Even if there's definitely giraffes on the way there.]

[SURE YOU WERE MR. ZOOBOOKS BEFORE. Zoro scowls as Baren moves on and trails after him, peeking and poking at the animals they pass by.

When they get to the giraffe enclosure, he stops.]

Hey, wait. [forcibly stops baren by holding onto his arm.] Why is it bending like that? You think it's sick?

[The giraffe's just drinking in that weird giraffe way.]

Have I never taken you to the zoo sober....

[Because the giraffe is definitely just drinking water - though Baren doesn't mind pausing to look at it. He reaches out a sweater paw to try to get its attention. Does Baren's animal magnetism apply to giant creatures too....]

Just refueling, Z.

[come heeeere, giraffe giraffe, baren wants to say hi]

Shut up. I don't have time to spend reading weird facts like you.

[Only slightly annoyed. More embarrassed. Even more dulled by his surprise when the giraffe actually notices the paw sleeve and... comes over.

To nibble on it.]

How the hell do you do that?

[Baren doesn't seem to mind, though he does try to slip the sleeve away, folding it up with giraffe spit and all so he can properly reach up to pet its nose.]

Hey.

[As for the question... he shrugs.]

I dunno. They just come to me.

[disney princess....]

You gonna get them to sing with you?

[disney princess...

Still. He's more relaxed than he's been in days. Should have taken him here earlier. Idiot.

Thankfully, he's pretty sure Baren's full attention is on the giraffe.]

... Is it soft?

Giraffes probably have a fair singing voice.

[Easy commentary, and then he'll pause before taking his other hand, letting it peak out from the sweater paws scars and all to each for Zoro's and lift it up, easing it onto the giraffe's nose as Baren pulls his first hand away.]

Here.

[And Baren just gives an easy-going instruction to the giraffe, not that it's guaranteed to understand:] Z's cool.

What should we name him?

[He probably already has a name, Baren.]

Vivian the Eviscerator.

[He is 100% serious. The giraffe doesn't seem to mind either the name or Zoro petting it.

It's soft... Cute... I bet she's a good kicker.]

[what the actual fuck

it's so dumb and vaguely endearing when Baren ends up reading the thought bubble on accident and

he can't help the way that a laugh bubbles out of him, clutching his stomach as he cracks up]

The Eviscerator...! Fuck, get her to co-star in your next blockbuster.

[That'd be sick. He keeps petting Vivian. Leans in a bit closer to ask:]

You wanna be in a movie?

[Baren lets his arms rest on the railing even as he tilts his head, amused.]

Bet she'd be a big hit. Like those movies with the golden retriever, but better.

[he whips his head around.]

We could beat Free Willy.