☆ scratch one bogey! ☆

Krystal wasn’t close with Falco. Oh, she was enough to be able to function perfectly well with him on missions, of course, but, even after a year spent living and working together, the avian hadn’t allowed much beyond the surface to be seen of him. There was always a lingering curiosity, but her patience kept it at bay.

Anything from Falco was on his terms. Understanding this, she respected his boundaries. Which was why him coming to her now and opening up to her, about himself even, left her quite surprised. He trusted her enough to be self-reflective and express an insecurity. To be perfectly honest, the vixen was touched by that.

Her cup was lifted for a brief sip, a contemplative hum filling the silence. He was proud, but he also wouldn’t appreciate anything but honesty. That’s what he came here for. He’d receive nothing less. Cup lowered back down, she spoke, “Well, something to keep in mind with Slippy is his perspective. I understand there’s been a longstanding sort of ‘rivalry’ between you two; while we both know it isn’t malicious, that would be something he’d speak from, I’d imagine.”

Eyes lifted from her cup. “To answer your question directly, I don’t think so.” A smile, now. “While you can be standoffish and sometimes a bit abrasive, I know that you genuinely care and I trust you completely. Nothing about you has ever gotten in the way of that, nor will it. I’m more than happy to call you my teammate. I’m certain Slippy feels the same way. We all do.”

She could have gone into more detail, like how she suspected his arrogance and sometimes grumpy attitude might be defense mechanisms for other possible insecurities, but that might be probing too deeply. Leaving it at this was satisfactory.

He raised a brow at the whole ‘rival’ comment, but now that he thought about it, Falco did find himself bickering with Slippy from time to time. Hell, a good chunk of the time. And it’s not like there was any sort of apology considering his grumpiness, always striving to be the know-it-all. Despite Krystal’s charismatic nature that served as a stark contrast, it’s any wonder to how the Star Fox team managed to keep this old buzzard on board for so long.

“Huh. That’s... that’s good tah’ hear, I s’pose.”

“After being such a punk the whole time, it means a whole lot when someone says they can trust you, y’know?” Especially after how many times he’s chosen to fly solo? The fact that someone can give the level of trust -- even in the midst of separation -- it went to show... maybe his co-pilots really do care about him. And as for the other way around, they’re the only family he’s got.

Again, not that he’d openly admit it. But the fact must have been obvious by now otherwise Falco would already be out the door.

“Err, thanks. Like, I mean it this time.” Hard to tell from his typically dulled expressions. “I felt that I was gonna stick around with the team for awhile longer instead of just flyin’ off, so I figured I’d make sure everyone got used to me.” He followed that up with a huff, while his words became a bit muttered. “And, um, I’m sorry for all those other times I ruffled your feathers, if I did. Kinda. Okay, for real I’m sorry.”

“Why and how could I ever sneak into a place like this?     I seriously don’t remember how I got here!”

She really felt uneasy about the whole situation, Ally just wanted answers, and this bird was certainty not helping. 

“E-Either I was on an acid trip or someone drugged me here.”

“I dunno. Whatever it is, I’d say you’re a real pro.” Of all the people who could have happened across the supposed stowaway, whether it was the easygoing Slippy or humble Peppy, it just had to be jerkass Falco.

He sneered at her remark, but maybe there was room to at least give the benefit of the doubt.

//internal giddiness because there exists an earthworm jim rp blog

　Guns a blazing, huh. That sounded about right. In the literal sense, space travel and guns were both fairly new to him (and a display of skill on Falco’s part now, making it look too easy). Robin was still listening, but the thought crossed his mind again. Where else would he be able to learn about these things, if not here? He’d like to think that they’d eventually come up in a book or two, but nothing was like seeing it for himself, truly a great thing.

　Well, he could probably exclude any of Star Wolf’s plans from that feeling. The story soon took an interesting turn… A temporarily alliance? Well, considering the state of things now, that had turned out for the better (quite unlike the one Robin remembered being involved in). Anyway, he gave it some thought. Had they ran off without a trace, perhaps?

　“The entire universe?” Gods, that was one situation— very desperate. He wanted to ask, but not quite soon. Yet, even after that ordeal, apparently it was back to an older agenda, or something similar (perhaps not so strange after all). “Of course. Otherwise, well… they’d go out of business, to say the least. I suppose a change of heart isn’t so easy, all considered.”

“Right.”

“I think with the whole Lylat System gettin’ destroyed n’ stuff, they won’t have much else to shoot.” The cynicism was strong with this one. It’s mainly because of Falco’s personal distaste for Wolf and his ruffian friends who think they’re all hot shots (barring himself, of course), so Robin was right on that one; having a change of heart isn’t always guaranteed, and rogue space dwellers such as themselves were considered the lowest of the low.

Even Lombardi himself took a long time warming up to others, and it didn’t help that Cornerian law officials pinned him as a public menace back in his rebel phase. Begrudgingly, he sort of knew why Star Wolf would feel disinclined to follow Fox’s ideals to begin with.

“I literally don’t know.     That’s why I’m asking you.”

And yet she’s completely calm with a talking falcon.

“Oh I get it, we got a lil’ smart aleck on board.” He folded his wings, looking mighty unimpressed on the contrary.

　“Is that so…” Oddness aside, overcooked noodles seemed way more comforting.

　“I can hardly imagine it.” This tournament had broadened his horizons, almost more than anything else had. The concept of the Lylat System was familiar now, as were other things: the universe had countless worlds, moons, and suns, to name a few. To think some were able to traverse its impossible distances… Even then, that failed to describe everything. Truly foreign. And yet, just by hearing about war, Robin realized, there was hardly any difference then, no matter of time and space. Baggage was one word for it: times of extreme stress for even the most level-headed, enough for anyone’s composure to… to be no longer (rarely for the better). But whatever the details of those wars, he had no doubt about that. Wanting more than to join the tournament? Could anyone rest easy after all?

　“Though, if he’s to target this place, or do something worse… that sounds like quite the grudge.” Messy business indeed. Regardless, they should keep an eye on Star Wolf’s latest threat (perhaps our pilot was already doing so, despite what it seemed like). For now, Robin’s curiosity was piqued, and there was no undoing it… well, not that he’d be overly nosy with Falco, and it couldn’t hurt to use the net for additional information, eventually. Wait, come to think of it… he placed a hand on his chin. 

　“Wolf’s never visited, has he?” An overly proper term, probably. But the idea was allowed, right? “I don’t recall ever having seen him here. Maybe he’s not the type.”

“Nope. He stopped showin’ his face around the tourney scene right when it ended.” Falco idly began twirling his blaster around, casually directing it at random objects within the room. Of course, not that he’d outright pull the trigger or anything -- this gun has been through quite a lot and used exclusively in combat, Star Wolf included. 

And nothing like recounting intense dog fights where his tail feathers were almost fried to a crisp. It brought a wry smirk to the rugged pilot’s face, who quite enjoyed the literal thrill of it all. Hence why he didn’t hesitate to accept the latest invitation for the Smash Tournament, and with many faces like Robin’s, that gave him more of an incentive to show off, as always.  “Any visit’s gonna start with guns a blazing than any ole’ hello. That’s just how he is.”

@illtaketheskies appears!

“…Where the hell am I.”

“Aboard the Great Fox, pal.”

It was more than enough to put a warm, genuinely pleased smile on the vixen’s face. “You’re welcome,” she said, as she grabbed herself another cup from the cupboard. “I’m glad you like it.”

The cup heated up and filled with tea from the pot now held securely in her hands, Krystal tilted her head towards the table as an invitation to sit with her as she made herself comfortable. Ears were perked and alert, her full attention being paid to him. “What’s on your mind?”

“Uh, right, right. Almost forgot that I was buggin’ ya to begin with.” Except... not really; he was just trying to think of how to formulate his thoughts, since it’s already known he’s not really the best at it. Falco took Krystal’s cue and shifted over to the table, then giving a brief glare at his cup of tea as if trying to look for an answer through it.

“... is it really that difficult tryin’ to work with me? I mean, I’m gettin’ the feeling that I’m a lil’ too irritable. Slippy kinda thinks so.”

　For someone as cool headed as Falco (or so it seemed), what could be the trouble? He’d expected something trivial, to be honest, and now… who knew, maybe that was right. With that carefree attitude, it wasn’t completely obvious. Robin thought back.

　“Wolf O'Donnell? Indeed. I’ve heard about him quite a few times, from other fighters as well.” For heroes and, well, dangerous mercenaries alike, attending this tournament was a feat in itself. No controversy could deny that. Thus, appearing here even just once— it was enough to leave behind a mark. But Robin knew better, there was much more untold (and to be told). As for what he’d missed out on, or couldn’t experience, there were always stories. Another grand source of knowledge also lied within his device on the table… A nerd, indeed. But, aside from not minding it at all, he began to infer some ideas.

　“Whatever he said, I don’t doubt that it’s unpleasant.” Having read about said leader’s profile (and of many other challengers) for the last roster, Robin had more than just instances to judge by. Official information stuck out, it always seemed. And so…

　“Some kind of threat or complaint, is it?” Maybe he was trying to get back in.

“Yeah. Somethin’ like that.”

“Not so much on the complaint -- he can crash the place whenever -- but s’ just some lamebrain warning. Star Wolf’s held the biggest vendetta ever since the Lylat Wars and they ain’t stopping anytime soon. Basically, I think he wants a lil’ more than joining the tournament... ” To say the least, Falco carried a ton of baggage on him. It’s probably what happens when one is the former leader of an intergalactic biker gang -- you sign yourself for a life of trouble.

Now that he minded it personally, but Robin and the others shouldn’t need to bear with Wolf’s bloodthirsty vengeance, or the other members for that matter. Just kick his furry hide and be done with it.

　　It’s no storm, at least. Robin threw back his hood and sighed, distracted by only the simplest of troubles. And luckily so. A rectangular object at his side, he continued along, prepared to find a place to sit. But a voice would tell him otherwise (one familiar enough). Turning around, it stopped him place.

　　“—- Falco?” Who was completely right, considering that he’d walked in a few moments ago, very alone. But surprise didn’t linger. With a smile, he approached and took a seat, placing his laptop on the table. A book, everyone calls it… Of course, the tactician knew the general term by now. 

　　“Sure seems that way… On the contrary, the library’s oddly busy.” Today’s weather was a bit harsh, it appeared (bad enough to not extend his own training, at least). But perhaps it’d clear up soon. As usual, Robin opted for the quiet indoors. Powering on his device, he glanced in the ace pilot’s direction, failing to hide a look of curiosity. It was likely none of this business, but…

　　“Something bothering you?” Such was a habit.

“Well lookit that.”

“Whole cast’s turned into a bunch of nerds? Guess I’ll be the odd one out then.” Nothing like a cracking a joke or two, even if Falco’s usually fell flat given his overall snarky nature. That’s the shtick his fellow co-pilots have grown used to after how many years of flying with this buzzard, but to give him credit, he’s gotten better in recent days. Now the only people who ever actually got a fistful of words really had to have been insufferable. Robin obviously didn’t fit the bill (and quite fortunately so).

Speaking of whom, he had asked about the previously grim look upon Falco’s face, and the latter figured it didn’t hurt to let slip a few beans. The whole issue was treated as some petty threat than actually something to be concerned over.

“Falco!” Cherish turn her body as she was the blue feather bird. She wasn’t sure what was going on, but she was a little happy to see him “I didn’t know, I’m not from here so how was I supposed to know” she said. Cherish was on high alert.

“Whatever, we just gotta get you to the bunker. Damn hooligans won’t miss a single shot if they’re around.” He motioned for her to follow him towards one corner that led onto another street in the capital. If one could observe their surroundings, all sorts of burn marks were left on buildings and infrastructure alike -- the signs of previous hostilities.