dreamcrystals | 1st Entry

I'm heading back in a bit. I'm just collecting a few greens. Nah, from the look of the tracks, there are more. They're just not around here.

What kind of greens? Think I should find some to see if it'll make nice, or do they eat other stuff too? Horses like carrots and apples on top of the stuff they usually eat, so maybe chocobos have different tastes, too?

Chocobos love gysahl greens and I guess some are growing in the wild since they've appeared, but they can eat other vegetables. Though, careful with hot peppers.

They don't like the spicy stuff?

[He wouldn't have even considered feeding it to them before, but now that Zidane has said not to...]

Oh no, it makes them do really weird things.

Huh. What kind of weird?

[C'mon, guy, you gotta elaborate, don't leave him hanging!]

Back home, the one I rode in one instance drilled a hole into the mountainside with its beak. And in another, it decided deep diving was a great idea. Found treasure in both places, but if you're not ready, it's like chocobo overdrive.

Alright, 'weird' was a pretty gentle way to put that, I guess. I can see how that could definitely take someone by surprise.
Wait, they have beaks? So... not like horses?

[The mental image of chocobos that he'd been conjuring for himself has been DESTROYED.]

They're only like horses in what I've learned because you can ride them and they both can pull wagons and transport cargo. Besides what they can do, nope, the appearance is way different.

Huh. I've never heard of a bird big enough to ride on. That's pretty cool, actually.

I'm bringing them to the main plaza if you wanna see it.

Hell yeah! I'm on my way, man!

[He's good to his word and shows up not long after Zidane's arrival— while they may not know one another beyond that journal exchange, it's not hard to spot the guy leading the giant bird, and Balthus heads over without hesitation.]

Whoa. These guys really sturdy enough to carry someone?

[And to the massive bird's credit, it blinks its away calmly at Balthus before shaking out its feathers a bit. Meanwhile, Zidane nods, glancing at the chocobo's legs.]

Oh yeah. Hey Boco, up for letting this guy get a short ride?

[This bird - already dubbed Boco - looks at Zidane, tilting its head, but then looks forward and 'kweh!']

Boco, huh... nice name.

[Balthus tilts his own head much in the same manner as the bird in front of him, grinning.]

Is 'kweh' a 'yes?'

Thanks~

[With some fluttering feathers, Boco soon crouches down.]

Yeah, I'd say that was a yes. Climb on.

He sure is friendly, isn't he?

[Balthus raises a hand to lightly ruffle the feathers atop the chocobo's head before he carefully mounts. In practice, it really isn't all that different from getting on a horse, at least so far.]

Anything I need to know about steering or anything? Or is he just gonna go wherever he wants?

[The latter seems... likely, if Zidane found this guy in the wild. Either way, Balthus lightly pats the side of the chocobo's neck. All animals like that, right?]

Hehe, he can be. Treat him right and he's your best friend.

[Boco appreciates the headpats and turns his head back a bit to watch Balthus get on his back. Once mounted up, he shifts his wings slightly to make them more comfortable.]

Light nudges will make him go and if you gotta stop him, pull his feathers, but not too hard they come out. He's pretty good at figuring out when to jump, but a harder nudge will get the message across.

[Zidane steps back and Boco stands up, fluttering his wings.]

Sounds good to me. Shouldn't be that hard.

[Never mind that his experience with riding any kind of mount is fairly minimal, but he knows enough— and despite being a big guy, he does know how to keep his strength in check.]

Alright, Boco! Let's go for a spin, huh?

[The bird gives another little 'kweh' in agreement before Balthus gives him a nudge and another pat on the neck. With another flutter of his wings, he's off; they disappear from the town square moments later, but Zidane will hear some pretty enthusiastic shouting off in the distance even once they're out of sight.

All told, it isn't a long ride, but Balthus is grinning from ear-to-ear when they come back into the square from the other side, Boco slowing to a stop in front of Zidane and giving Balthus the opportunity to dismount. He dusts his hands together after his feet hit the ground.]

Man, you weren't kidding! You need a hand with these guys in the future, I wouldn't mind helpin' out, especially if they've all got personalities like this one.

Nah, you got this~

[Stepping back, Zidane's just going to watch cause the moment that 'kweh!' sounds, they're off.]

[At the sound of cheering, he's pretty sure Boco's doing a pretty good job showing off just how a chocobo handles. He'd raced off so fast too, and h he probably wouldn't slow down until Balthus gave a tug at his feathers. And it looks like he's got that part down when they return.]

[Once dismounted, Boco comes nosing over to Zidane, kweh-ing and tilting his head. Yeah, he earned it - Zidane takes a green from his pouch and gives it to the big bird.]

I can't say all chocobos we'll see around will be as friendly as Boco is, but sure!

[Idly, Balthus reaches up to scratch the spot behind where he's pretty sure Boco's ears are.

It's hard to tell on birds.]

Nice! Even if they've got bad attitudes, I bet they'd be fun anyway. I can respect a bird that's a little scrappy.

[Kindred spirits and all, though Balthus himself is almost pathologically friendly.]

I should let you get back to whatever you and this guy were gonna do, but thanks for giving me the chance to take him for a spin. You guys need help with anything now?

Oh, like the challenge? I can respect that.

[Besides, a scrappy chocobo would make a better fighting companion.]

You're welcome. We're gonna get a few rounds so he gets to know Reverein too so we got this. Thanks for the offer though.

Hell yeah! Life's no fun if you aren't overcoming hurdles every now and then. Love a good challenge, in or out of the ring.

[He's a hard man to get down, it would seem— Balthus is all enthusiasm. For now, however, he raises a hand to offer a wave.]

In that case, though, have a good time! I'll see you both around.

Oh 'the ring', huh?

[It sounded like he was a soldier earlier, but maybe he's both.]

Sure, see ya!

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