[He nodded his head, self-aware that he was holding the chick and didn't exactly have anywhere to put her back down, not when she was sleeping. Right now, he was her heat source, and she had made quite the effort to get up two stairs. Likely, she was exhausted.]
Are you going to set all those blankets up downstairs then or somewhere up here for her to sleep in?
[He stepped close and leaned against Jack a little, and pressed a kiss against his cheek. Something soft and affectionate as he passed by to go to the closet nearby.]
I figure I'll set them up by the bed? Be the easiest thing I figure so she won't wake up alone or something.
[He almost went to hand the chick off to Gabe, but the older man was on the opposite side, and he hummed at that kiss rather than make bold moves to shove the sleeping ball of blue fluff across at Gabe. His other hand lifted to stroke across Reyes' belly before Gabe was gone to the closet.
He moved to follow almost sheepishly.]
So uh... how long until she's big enough to mind herself on stairs and such?
[He went to the top shelf of the closet, reaching up and putting a few things out f the way, stacking up a few of the smaller blankets up out of there and also pulling out what looked like a worn cat bed. Be the perfect thing to turn in to a makeshift blanket nest for a chocobo chick by the looks of it at least.
He really had hung on to it once Roxy had outgrown it.]
Month at most? She'll at least have her feet under her by then and can make the little jumps needed, be a little bigger.
[A month? He looked down at the sleeping chick and considered how difficult that month was going to be. They couldn't put her out with Roxy all the time, not with the weather being cold overnight. She would have to stay with them, and he likely couldn't pawn off duties of raising her to just Gabe.
He lingered nearby as all the bedding was pulled out, and it was clear how much Gabe had gone to lengths to keep Roxy comfortable in those young early days.]
She's not even a day old, and while she can run and walk she's still not exactly well balanced. They're sturdy birds, sure-
[Roxy had been the first he'd taken in when still small, so he might have gone above and beyond requirements to make sure she was happy. Make sure she was safe.
Be a good fit for the blue chicabo, too. Already walking towards the basement stairs, a brush of shoulders meaning for Jack to follow him.]
-But they're still vulnerable enough to need care, and she doesn't have parents or siblings, so we'll have to do in making sure she can grow strong.
They are surprisingly precocious for being so young. She does fall over a lot.
[Which was something to take in stride. She had found her feet well, but she needed time to grow and be a chick. He still thought that she would do better with Roxy at the helm, but that was on Gabe to decide as Roxy was his chocobo through and through.
He followed behind the older man, not that he was necessarily needed right now. He rubbed the back of his head as he watched Gabe set up the bedding where the older man saw fit.]
[Going down those basement stairs and, well, he was basically making up that nest right by their bed, sitting down on the mattress as he worked. Made the blanket nest in that little bed like he'd done it so many times before. Who knew how any when Roxy was still growing.
Spoke easily as he worked.]
That's why she'll be spending time outside with Roxy during the warmer parts of the day. Supervised while she's still so small, just in case, but will be coming inside once the sun starts to set. Evenings and nights inside with us.
[It was clear to him from observation that Gabe had made this kind of nest before and often, which was telling on the care and adoration he had bestowed on Roxy as a chick. She had grown up well, and he had no doubt that if they did indeed keep the blue chocobo that she would also receive the same love and care from Gabe.]
Are you supervising her between jobs and work on the farm?
[He still wasn't so certain about keeping a baby chocobo inside with them, though he could make no actual argument against it at present. They didn't have a set-up to keep her warm outside or even in another part of the house, so for now, this would have to stand.]
I'll work on setting up a heat lamp and feeding station in one of the other rooms.
I need you to help with that- this is going to be some hands on work, and it is going to take both of us.
[He gestured for Jack to set the blue chicabo in to the blanket nest then once he was done, sitting up as it was being kept there at the head of the bed. All the better for neither of them to get up in the night and trip over the little thing.
Meant his gaze was focused on Jack once again.]
Think you could use the mudroom attached to the back porch?
[This time he managed to keep his expression neutral at the request, already mulling over how this was his fault to begin with. He should have just left the egg in the woods, but there were some old habits he apparently hadn't been able to shake even after all these years. Still, he had hoped to keep distance from this, what with all the animals on property being Gabe's choice and responsibility and Jack just happened to pitch in.
This was different. He was still waiting for the other shoe to drop on the chick, and it would somehow manage to take his emotions and twist them about. This place sent those his way a lot lately.]
Who did you have helping with you Roxy?
[He moved over to the set up bedding and gently shifted and set the chick into it, waking her in the process. She peeped and nestled down in the nest of material until he rose to leave, then she was awake and following after him.]
No, stay in the bed. [He growled, stooping to gather her up and put her back to bed where she absolutely wouldn't stay if he tried to move away. Finally he grabbed one of the small soft blankets to wrap her in and took her back to his arms.] This isn't working as well as expected. You want to take her and try?
No one. It isn't as if I had anyone I could trust then.
[Not exactly true- but it wasn't as if he could tell Jack he had helped here and there. Reason why he knew Jack could help with this chick, still knew more than he did when it came to a more technical farm-kid standpoint of things.
Of course Gabriel watched, chin rested against a palm-]
Try not getting up and walking away after you put her down.
And yet you managed. Raised her up right and all that, especially since there weren't adults at the time to foster her on.
[Jack understood that he had to stay, but he was still trying for distancing, maybe a touch too rapidly. Too bad for him that the chick was already falling back asleep in his arms, tucked comfortably into a blanket.
He tried to set her down again, but she was wise to his abandonment game and woke immediately to peep at him. He visibly gritted his teeth because this was damn manipulation! He knew she didn't mean it, but there was a small sliver of panic that she was using her fluffy baby-features to keep him here when really... she was just being a perfectly normal baby.
Finally sitting down on the bed, he cuddled her in his arms until she was asleep and looked over at Gabe.]
I'll... just wait until she's been asleep a bit longer and then transfer her over.
I wasn't sleeping in those days either. With how things are now? I can't do that again Jack.
[It was that simple as far as he was concerned, knew that the time and energy wasn't the same now as it was then, wouldn't be possible and still manage some better balance that how he had been. There was no endless amount of time, doing whatever he could to keep himself busy and handling everything by himself because of it.
Gabriel let out an amused huff of breath and scooted himself close. Leaning against Jack's side a bit, head just against his as he looked down at the chick.]
It's amazing how consistent sleep messes up one's schedule, isn't it? Too bad you're in a much better mood for it.
[He wasn't going to let Reyes go back to lurking around on any given job or task or hobby twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. They kept each other in check in that way, and he wouldn't change it, not even for a chick. Okay, so their routine might have to change somewhat to accommodate the chick.
He wasn't certain how long he was going to have to wait, but he wasn't keen on being peeped at for setting the chick down. It helped to settle him as Gabe slipped in close, and he turned his head a little until the older man's rested to his then he relaxed where he sat.
His eyes flicked down to regard the chick nestled there in the blanket and his arm, and he sighed heavily.]
All the time in the world at my fingertips, dashed away by getting a full night's sleep every night. Doing you better, too.
[Just a little adjustment here and there, nothing too major other than maybe taking the chick along on small things around the property. Keeping it out of trouble, whatever it was for a while at least.
Gabriel remained like that, an arm easily rested around Jack's back to sort of half hold him like that. All the easier for them both to settle. Even nuzzling a slight bit for just a moment.]
She's a baby, doing what baby's do because she doesn't know any better. Roxy was the exact same.
Imagine that. The great Gabriel Reyes defeated by sleep again. That will never jive with your reputation.
[Jack knew that a baby animal was much more time consuming than adults. They needed constant supervision and attention when they were awake and a safe warm place when they were asleep. They needed opportunity to learn and explore, and they were always prone to getting into trouble.
He was still waiting until she had slept enough that she wouldn't easily be disturbed if he set her in the new nest. For now that meant, sitting like this with Gabe, which honestly wasn't bad at all.]
These birds imprint a lot harder than I'm used to.
[Was easy to sit like this against Jack, hand rested near his hip with that arm wrapped around him, Gabriel tucked up against his side like he belonged there. Did now a days anyway, letting out a slow breath as he let his eyes slowly slip closed.
Hummed a little.]
They're loyal with those they bond with, enough to go in to battle. Makes sense.
Don't tell anyone that, or I'll lose my carefully built gruff reputation of invincibility.
[It definitely was easy, and it wasn't even that bad adding the sleeping chick there in his arms either. He leaned his head a little more against Gabe's closing his eyes to just drink in the scene and the change to their lives. It seemed to him that Roxy and Reyes were already pretty darn attached to this little one.
He was... well, he experienced more complicated emotions on the matter. He would need time to sort it all out and get to the root of his unease, but until then, he was going to have to play nice with everyone involved.]
You act like you had one in the first place. Didn't Amari always call you a kitten?
[Hell of a difference between chasing and being chased across the globes, committing numerous acts of violence and murder. Playing the part he needed to in order to do whatever it took for one last self appointed mission, nothing left to lose.
To suddenly being here, not on opposing sides and just... taking something for themselves for once. So much of something, having moments that were more foreign than anything else after so many years.
Even when there were times he doubted so much, it was easy to sink in against Jack now, a hand rested against one of his arms and take the moment as a whole.]
People race them, use them for work like pulling things, transport, or ride them in to battle like I said. They're solid animal companions, really.
[There were plenty of differences between these lives and those lives, and he could admit that he sometimes missed the high octane, feral search for tech, answers and people. It was an adrenaline driven life, and he didn't have that nearly as much here, which was probably better for his life expectancy on the long-term.
He nodded his head as they sat there together, having overheard many of the chocobo uses while off loading the gystal greens. They sounded like the other world's horses, though perhaps they attached a bit more.]
Yeah, you've said and I overheard people at the stables talking about all they could do with them. Seem multi-purpose with less spook potential.
And yet you always got your face shoved in to your birthday cakes.
[Almost made him wonder some days, that if given the choice how hard of a decision would be be to make- to go back and finish what he knew he needed to do... or stay because he had something he wanted. To many times letting himself spiral whenever the thought came up.
Gabriel hummed a bit, letting out a huff of a breath.]
Hardier, too. Been compared against the horses here.
People should grow up and stop shoving my face into my cakes every year. It was funny once, but after that, I expect them to come up with something that less requires me to have a shower.
[Jack knew he would struggle with that decision himself, his sense of personal duty clashing with a personal want of his. He had lived with a sense of duty for more years than he could properly count these days, but this right here was some of the rare times when his head wasn't just cluttered up with ghosts of the past or the next mission.
In the end, would he make that choice for himself? He didn't know.
He glanced down to the chick sleeping in his arms, and he leaned head back to rest against the wall he was leaning against.]
Yeah, I imagine. They seem to fill the same kind of function.
You gotta admit, it was funny that Oxton got Wilhelm all hyped to do it that one time.
[All the more reason there'd been a picture taken of the before and only a rare few had the after shot of that one.
Right now? Right ow it was easier to have all of this, take it in and... exist like this, together. With each other and only things like this to worry about. As easy as it was to get restless at times, still having that need and push to do... Something. Down times like this were precious.]
You remember I had two shiners for the next day after that, right? That's how enthusiastic he had been about it.
[Jack remembered that day. He thought he had been under attack for a moment, but no, his face smashed into a birthday cake and right through to the table beneath. Everyone had a good laugh about it. That's what he got for turning forty apparently.
He nodded his head, figuring that was true. If there were horses, there wouldn't quite be the same need for these animals. And he could admit that chicks were cuter than foals anyway.]
They have these though. Helps they can get more out of females with laying anyway.
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2020-03-20 04:16 am (UTC)Are you going to set all those blankets up downstairs then or somewhere up here for her to sleep in?
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Date: 2020-03-20 04:19 am (UTC)I figure I'll set them up by the bed? Be the easiest thing I figure so she won't wake up alone or something.
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Date: 2020-03-20 04:24 am (UTC)He moved to follow almost sheepishly.]
So uh... how long until she's big enough to mind herself on stairs and such?
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Date: 2020-03-20 04:31 am (UTC)He really had hung on to it once Roxy had outgrown it.]
Month at most? She'll at least have her feet under her by then and can make the little jumps needed, be a little bigger.
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Date: 2020-03-20 04:44 am (UTC)He lingered nearby as all the bedding was pulled out, and it was clear how much Gabe had gone to lengths to keep Roxy comfortable in those young early days.]
She seems to be mobile enough as it is.
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Date: 2020-03-20 04:49 am (UTC)[Roxy had been the first he'd taken in when still small, so he might have gone above and beyond requirements to make sure she was happy. Make sure she was safe.
Be a good fit for the blue chicabo, too. Already walking towards the basement stairs, a brush of shoulders meaning for Jack to follow him.]
-But they're still vulnerable enough to need care, and she doesn't have parents or siblings, so we'll have to do in making sure she can grow strong.
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Date: 2020-03-20 04:58 am (UTC)[Which was something to take in stride. She had found her feet well, but she needed time to grow and be a chick. He still thought that she would do better with Roxy at the helm, but that was on Gabe to decide as Roxy was his chocobo through and through.
He followed behind the older man, not that he was necessarily needed right now. He rubbed the back of his head as he watched Gabe set up the bedding where the older man saw fit.]
I think Roxy is the best option for teaching her.
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Date: 2020-03-20 05:04 am (UTC)Spoke easily as he worked.]
That's why she'll be spending time outside with Roxy during the warmer parts of the day. Supervised while she's still so small, just in case, but will be coming inside once the sun starts to set. Evenings and nights inside with us.
At least until the nights are warmer.
[Seemed reasonable and doable to him.]
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Date: 2020-03-20 01:36 pm (UTC)Are you supervising her between jobs and work on the farm?
[He still wasn't so certain about keeping a baby chocobo inside with them, though he could make no actual argument against it at present. They didn't have a set-up to keep her warm outside or even in another part of the house, so for now, this would have to stand.]
I'll work on setting up a heat lamp and feeding station in one of the other rooms.
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Date: 2020-03-20 01:44 pm (UTC)[He gestured for Jack to set the blue chicabo in to the blanket nest then once he was done, sitting up as it was being kept there at the head of the bed. All the better for neither of them to get up in the night and trip over the little thing.
Meant his gaze was focused on Jack once again.]
Think you could use the mudroom attached to the back porch?
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Date: 2020-03-20 01:55 pm (UTC)This was different. He was still waiting for the other shoe to drop on the chick, and it would somehow manage to take his emotions and twist them about. This place sent those his way a lot lately.]
Who did you have helping with you Roxy?
[He moved over to the set up bedding and gently shifted and set the chick into it, waking her in the process. She peeped and nestled down in the nest of material until he rose to leave, then she was awake and following after him.]
No, stay in the bed. [He growled, stooping to gather her up and put her back to bed where she absolutely wouldn't stay if he tried to move away. Finally he grabbed one of the small soft blankets to wrap her in and took her back to his arms.] This isn't working as well as expected. You want to take her and try?
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Date: 2020-03-20 02:01 pm (UTC)[Not exactly true- but it wasn't as if he could tell Jack he had helped here and there. Reason why he knew Jack could help with this chick, still knew more than he did when it came to a more technical farm-kid standpoint of things.
Of course Gabriel watched, chin rested against a palm-]
Try not getting up and walking away after you put her down.
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Date: 2020-03-20 02:09 pm (UTC)[Jack understood that he had to stay, but he was still trying for distancing, maybe a touch too rapidly. Too bad for him that the chick was already falling back asleep in his arms, tucked comfortably into a blanket.
He tried to set her down again, but she was wise to his abandonment game and woke immediately to peep at him. He visibly gritted his teeth because this was damn manipulation! He knew she didn't mean it, but there was a small sliver of panic that she was using her fluffy baby-features to keep him here when really... she was just being a perfectly normal baby.
Finally sitting down on the bed, he cuddled her in his arms until she was asleep and looked over at Gabe.]
I'll... just wait until she's been asleep a bit longer and then transfer her over.
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Date: 2020-03-20 02:29 pm (UTC)[It was that simple as far as he was concerned, knew that the time and energy wasn't the same now as it was then, wouldn't be possible and still manage some better balance that how he had been. There was no endless amount of time, doing whatever he could to keep himself busy and handling everything by himself because of it.
Gabriel let out an amused huff of breath and scooted himself close. Leaning against Jack's side a bit, head just against his as he looked down at the chick.]
It isn't so bad, is it?
[Softly.]
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Date: 2020-03-21 04:17 am (UTC)[He wasn't going to let Reyes go back to lurking around on any given job or task or hobby twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. They kept each other in check in that way, and he wouldn't change it, not even for a chick. Okay, so their routine might have to change somewhat to accommodate the chick.
He wasn't certain how long he was going to have to wait, but he wasn't keen on being peeped at for setting the chick down. It helped to settle him as Gabe slipped in close, and he turned his head a little until the older man's rested to his then he relaxed where he sat.
His eyes flicked down to regard the chick nestled there in the blanket and his arm, and he sighed heavily.]
No, I guess not. Demanding little thing.
no subject
Date: 2020-03-21 04:25 am (UTC)[Just a little adjustment here and there, nothing too major other than maybe taking the chick along on small things around the property. Keeping it out of trouble, whatever it was for a while at least.
Gabriel remained like that, an arm easily rested around Jack's back to sort of half hold him like that. All the easier for them both to settle. Even nuzzling a slight bit for just a moment.]
She's a baby, doing what baby's do because she doesn't know any better. Roxy was the exact same.
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Date: 2020-03-21 01:37 pm (UTC)[Jack knew that a baby animal was much more time consuming than adults. They needed constant supervision and attention when they were awake and a safe warm place when they were asleep. They needed opportunity to learn and explore, and they were always prone to getting into trouble.
He was still waiting until she had slept enough that she wouldn't easily be disturbed if he set her in the new nest. For now that meant, sitting like this with Gabe, which honestly wasn't bad at all.]
These birds imprint a lot harder than I'm used to.
no subject
Date: 2020-03-21 01:43 pm (UTC)[Was easy to sit like this against Jack, hand rested near his hip with that arm wrapped around him, Gabriel tucked up against his side like he belonged there. Did now a days anyway, letting out a slow breath as he let his eyes slowly slip closed.
Hummed a little.]
They're loyal with those they bond with, enough to go in to battle. Makes sense.
no subject
Date: 2020-03-21 01:56 pm (UTC)[It definitely was easy, and it wasn't even that bad adding the sleeping chick there in his arms either. He leaned his head a little more against Gabe's closing his eyes to just drink in the scene and the change to their lives. It seemed to him that Roxy and Reyes were already pretty darn attached to this little one.
He was... well, he experienced more complicated emotions on the matter. He would need time to sort it all out and get to the root of his unease, but until then, he was going to have to play nice with everyone involved.]
Does make sense. Horses and dogs can be the same.
no subject
Date: 2020-03-21 02:36 pm (UTC)[Hell of a difference between chasing and being chased across the globes, committing numerous acts of violence and murder. Playing the part he needed to in order to do whatever it took for one last self appointed mission, nothing left to lose.
To suddenly being here, not on opposing sides and just... taking something for themselves for once. So much of something, having moments that were more foreign than anything else after so many years.
Even when there were times he doubted so much, it was easy to sink in against Jack now, a hand rested against one of his arms and take the moment as a whole.]
People race them, use them for work like pulling things, transport, or ride them in to battle like I said. They're solid animal companions, really.
no subject
Date: 2020-03-23 02:03 pm (UTC)[There were plenty of differences between these lives and those lives, and he could admit that he sometimes missed the high octane, feral search for tech, answers and people. It was an adrenaline driven life, and he didn't have that nearly as much here, which was probably better for his life expectancy on the long-term.
He nodded his head as they sat there together, having overheard many of the chocobo uses while off loading the gystal greens. They sounded like the other world's horses, though perhaps they attached a bit more.]
Yeah, you've said and I overheard people at the stables talking about all they could do with them. Seem multi-purpose with less spook potential.
no subject
Date: 2020-03-23 02:13 pm (UTC)[Almost made him wonder some days, that if given the choice how hard of a decision would be be to make- to go back and finish what he knew he needed to do... or stay because he had something he wanted. To many times letting himself spiral whenever the thought came up.
Gabriel hummed a bit, letting out a huff of a breath.]
Hardier, too. Been compared against the horses here.
no subject
Date: 2020-03-24 01:58 am (UTC)[Jack knew he would struggle with that decision himself, his sense of personal duty clashing with a personal want of his. He had lived with a sense of duty for more years than he could properly count these days, but this right here was some of the rare times when his head wasn't just cluttered up with ghosts of the past or the next mission.
In the end, would he make that choice for himself? He didn't know.
He glanced down to the chick sleeping in his arms, and he leaned head back to rest against the wall he was leaning against.]
Yeah, I imagine. They seem to fill the same kind of function.
no subject
Date: 2020-03-24 03:34 am (UTC)[All the more reason there'd been a picture taken of the before and only a rare few had the after shot of that one.
Right now? Right ow it was easier to have all of this, take it in and... exist like this, together. With each other and only things like this to worry about. As easy as it was to get restless at times, still having that need and push to do... Something. Down times like this were precious.]
Aren't horses in those worlds after all.
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Date: 2020-03-24 01:51 pm (UTC)[Jack remembered that day. He thought he had been under attack for a moment, but no, his face smashed into a birthday cake and right through to the table beneath. Everyone had a good laugh about it. That's what he got for turning forty apparently.
He nodded his head, figuring that was true. If there were horses, there wouldn't quite be the same need for these animals. And he could admit that chicks were cuter than foals anyway.]
They have these though. Helps they can get more out of females with laying anyway.
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