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[He isn't expecting her to grab his wrist. For a moment Dante has to catch is balance--"Whoa!"--but then he's following after her, glancing around to see if any of the staff is there.]

Do you even know any of the people that work here? Or are we just sneaking in?

[Not that he cares either way. The stable door is open, after all; there's nothing to just keep them from walking right on in.

There's a definitive smell that hits him as they walk into the stables--it's not quite a horsey smell, but it's close enough. Dante takes a glance around, noting how many stalls there are. The ones right next to the door are empty, but it seems like the next stall down has an occupant, a yellow chocobo that gives a small "wark!" of happiness when it sees them. it's not a fully-grown chocobo, its head on about the same level as Dante and Yuuko's.

Dante can't help but think back to Founder's Day and the baby chocobo that had been there.]

I'd better not get bitten again by one of these little monsters.

[ She snorts. ] If I knew anyone, you wouldn't even be here.

[ For someone who was pretty pumped about seeing chocobos earlier, Yuuko's looking less than enthusiastic when they enter the stables. She stalks behind Dante, clinging to the back of his shirt as she looks around. The wark gives her a startle and she clings tighter. Animals are cute, but it's what they think of her that's the problem... ]

A chocobo bit you too? What did you do?

So you're just using me. Good to know.

[Not that he looks bothered by this in the slightest.

Still, her behavior once they get inside the stable actually makes him quirk an eyebrow, trying to twist his head enough to see what she's doing behind him. Wasn't this her idea? Why's she clinging onto the back of his shirt like she's scared?]

What did I do to make it bite me? Nothing. What did I do when it bit me? Cussed like a sailor and yanked my hand out of its pointy little beak.

Are you scared of them now? They're penned up, you know. It can't get you.

[ She has no friends that'll skip school with her let her have this.

The chocobo tilts its head in curiosity but Yuuko stays in place, peeking from behind Dante like she's wary of what it will do next. ]

I'm not scared! I think animals are cute! It's just that... animals don't like me that much. A chocobo pulled me by the hair once— [ The chocobo warks again, and Yuuko yelps. ] It's not... mad at me, is it?

[Okay, that's... actually kind of funny, in an almost endearing sort of way. How the hell did he get roped into this, again? This isn't his usual sort of gig.]

It's not mad. I think it's happy. That sounded like a happy noise to me.

[It wants to make friends, obviously! Dante glances around, trying to see if there's anything they might be able to offer it. Unfortunately, he's not exactly familiar with stables, so he's got no idea where the staff might keep extra treats or grains.]

Look, let's give it a try. Pull your hair back so that it can't get at it, and we'll see if it'll let you pet it. Okay?

[ Warks aren't a sound she associates with happiness, but she'll try. She takes a few hairties from her pocket and gathers her hair into a high ponytail. ]

If if bites my fingers, you'll take responsibility.

[ So that's done, but she's still using him like a human shield. ]

Yeah, yeah, sure. Let's get closer, so you can reach.

[And he's taking a step closer to the chocobo, whether she's following or not. Your shield is moving, Yuuko!

Once he's close enough, Dante's trying to look at the chocobo closely. He's heard something about horses not being able to see directly in front of them; maybe chocobos are the same? Maybe they should try petting it from the side...?]

Try patting it on the neck. I'll keep him busy up front so you don't have to worry.

[And just like that, Dante's reaching out to try and pat the chocobo where its head meets its neck, keeping its focus more on him. Please don't bite him, little chocobo...]

[ Thanks for cooperating, Dante. If he hadn't moved, they'd have been stuck there forever...

Okay. Yuuko eyes the chocobo with extreme caution. She won't let it grab her hair, she's determined but who's to say it won't happen again? Her red eyes seem to glare daggers at the chocobo as she approaches from the side. A hand tentatively hovers in the air, testing the waters and hoping the chocobo doesn't jolt.

It doesn't.

In fact, it attempts to nuzzle against Dante's cheek. Yuuko's startled by this, of course, squeaking and stepping aside as yellow feathers ruffle and flap in enthusiasm. She hasn't realized this yet, though. ]

Dante!

[ IT'S NOT EATING HIM IS IT ]

Whoa!

[He's not expecting the sudden attempt at nuzzling up against him. Dante takes a step back himself in surprise, looking down at the chocobo as it goes for the next best target and rubs the front of its head against his chest. Then he's looking at Yuuko, just as startled as she is.]

I guess it's friendly.

Come on, your turn. Just be confident. I'm pretty sure you'll be all right.

[And just to be sure, he's going to reach out for the chocobo's neck again, patting it gingerly as it nuzzles against him. Gooooood birdie.]

[ You can't just tell a girl with zero self-esteem to be confident!! Gosh!!!

Yuuko laughs sheepishly, wondering if it's even worth it to try. She had wanted to feed the chocobos too, but this setback was proving that to be rather difficult. (She's also making a mountain out of a molehill, but eh.) ]

I'm pretty sure it likes only you! Ahaha...

[ But she reaches out. And touches its neck. It's soft... Almost like cotton. ]

[The chocobo pulls its face back from Dante, stretching its neck upwards as Yuuko's hand brushes against the downy feathers of its neck. It lets out a cheerful "kweh!" as it turns its attention to her, flapping its wings up slightly. Dante blinks, his attention immediately going to Yuuko to see how she's doing, but the chocobo seems only to be pleased at getting attention from the both of them, swaying back and forth on its feet.]

Hey, I didn't make it dance.

[And is it... whistling through its beak? It might be!]

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