Ready, Set, KWEH! | Bartz and Cloud
“I know, I know, you’re eager to get out, just give me a minute to put on your harness, boy," Bartz complained while he was trying to do just that to Boko who seemd very excited by the prospect of finally getting some fresh air again and thus refused to hold still for even a second. The last weeks of basic training had left him with hardly any time to spare for the chocobo. So it was understandable both were happy about the idea of a chocobo race which Bartz learned about thanks to a poster he had seen on a stroll through town.
When he was finally able to equip the bird properly he placed his foot in the stirrup and swung himself onto the saddle. It had been quite some time so he took a momemnt to enjoy the feeling of seat beneath him. Following a cheerful “Yip!" from the man’s side the bird started to amble forward and they headed at a slow pace towards where the race was announced to begin. While he didn’t have many occasions to get into town Bartz still got the impression the streets were much more lively today than usual. For that reason he would have had a hard time getting along on the back of his chocobo if Boko wouldn’t have been squawking with excitement all the time causing people to move and sometimes jump out of his way. But as it was he got lucky and soon found what seemed to be the starting point where an excited person came already towards him and after a short conversation - he seemed as eager to find participants as both Bartz and Boko were to be such - he led them next to two other people. He dismounted and shook hands with both of them. They introduced themselves as Sarah and Wedge and the riders wished each other good luck. The hree of them chatted for a while and talked about their respective birds when the man from before - Bartz took him to be an organizer - led another person towards them, a man with with somewhat remarkable blonde hair who he felt he had met before, or seen at least but he couldn’t say where or when. With a smile Bartz approached the other man and introduced himself: “Hi, the name’s Bartz and it seems I’m going to be your mortal enemy today.”
A smile came across Cloud's face as he heard the words come out of Bartz's mouth. Mortal enemy eh? Pretty confident kid, he might be good at this, thought Cloud while looking at his opponent's chocobo and then looking around. His eyes moved left and right in search of where his own chocobo would be, and then the blonde opened his eyes wide. Darn! I was told to join this race and everyone has their own personal chocobo and I have nothing at the moment, he told himself getting nervous.
"Hey there Spiky, no worries we've got quite the beauty for ye" said the man who had first invited Cloud to the race. Behind him was a chocobo that looked eager to begin the race just like the others he previously saw. The ravager wasn't sure how to react to the villager's random invitation and chocobo, but he accepted them and got on the chocobo. "Uhh, thanks! I didn't know people were supposed to bring personal chocobos." Cloud explained to the villager as he made his way next to Bartz.
The villager laughed and just smiled at Cloud, "No worries youngster, just have fun!" he said. The blonde nodded and looked back at Bartz. "So, mortal enemy you say? We'll just have to see about that" he responded to the other's previous words. Although Cloud wasn't familiar with the chocobo, we wasn't as worried as others might believe, he's gotten used to riding new chocobos on various missions, so this wouldn't be too different. He then patted the chocobo and neared its head. "Let's do this boy, show them what you've got" he told the golden bird.
"Oh and goodluck!" Cloud quickly said to Bartz before focusing on the race alone."
