melodiesoflife | I'll Face Myself - Mordecai Benmont Jiminy

Characters: Barkeep and OPEN
Where: Palitutu's Laboratory
When: February 27, daytime
Summary: Shadow encounter. He'll invite anyone he knows and be open to help, but at least it's not awful.
Warnings: None, Mordecai does not have a lot of terrible secrets.

[Mordecai would call himself a patient man. Running a saloon in one of the most lawless plants in the system required a patient owner to keep trouble out and happy customers in. But when it comes to world-saving, we-might-die-if-I-don't-do-this sort of situations, he may as well run off and do everything on his own.

But you know. Shadow and inner demons and all that. It sounds like something best done with backup.

Despite everyone meeting long before the designated time, he turns to the Moogles at the Black Crystal interface with a huff.]

Finally! Thought we'd never be done before dinner. Now how's this supposed to work? You press that doo-hickey and I get to talk to a symbolic version of myself? [They respond with nods.] Got it.

[He looks back at the Heroes gathered with him.]

Everyone ready?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Ramza frowned at the Shadow Barkeep's assessment. Yes, Barkeep did prefer to fill any and all silence with friendly chatter. It was part of the reason they got along so well as roommates, with Ramza being more naturally reserved in speech.]

Most of us Heroes are inclined not to talk of our innermost conflicts. Barkeep's example has encouraged us to speak more freely to avoid trouble. Surely you cannot think it wrong?

[Yes, much of Barkeep's advice involved the frequency and fervor with which one should pursue courtship, but Ramza had his loyalties, and he took them very seriously. Barkeep would've made a fine Orator back on Ivalice, and Ramza would suffer no one, not even a version of the man himself, to malign those skills.]

[While Barkeep does try to assure her he doesn't have anything to hide, she has a feeling it's a white lie. When the Shadow does arrive, she crosses her arms.]

Hmm...so you're saying Barkeep spends too much time on people's problems? Is it because it's easier to solve those than to deal on you own?

[The Barkeep not muscling in on other people's lives and problems wouldn't seem like Barkeep. Of course, Sparks never thought of why he was like that.]

...I mean, maybe? Sounds like a stretch to me.

[Sparks might not be the best person to have around when dissecting feelings.]

Well, what are your problems, barkeep? Do you know, I do not know.

[It is Kenshin's way to weigh any words carefully, so he allows the Barkeep to have a moment to do so himself. None of them wish to speak for him, after all. But eventually, Kenshin turns to the Barkeep.]

Though there is a time to act on one's own challenges, one cannot understand himself without understanding those around him. Those who seek that understanding are people of great value. You are one such, Barkeep. This one sees many whose awareness of themselves would be poorer without your counsel.

[He turns a hand upward in gentle invitation.]

But part of that is seeking to understanding you in turn. If you have things you wish to speak about, it is this one's hope that you know there are those in whom you can confide. All gathered here with you count themselves such. Of that, this one is sure.

Who doesn't have problems? [The question is directed primarily at Tazendra, though he does look at each of the others afterwards.] Mine ain't as bad as some of yours, of course, but...like...

[He holds his hands out as if he were about to hold an invisible long object between them. True, the life of a simple small business owner and mayor doesn't attract scandal, but he wouldn't say that it was stress-free.]

You really wanna hear how I'm runnin' outta stock or that I'm stayin' up late dealin' with the paperwork that comes with managin' town? Heck, sure, say I do like helpin' you folks out 'cause it gives me somethin' to do, anythin' wrong with that?

That's called stickin' your nose where it don't belong. But I guess anythin' can count for an adventure since Harriet never lets you have your own fun.

[Everything else in the room is forgotten. The Barkeep sharply swivels on his heal and jabs and accusatory finger at his Shadow.]

You keep her outta this.

Why? The only reason why you don't go on adventures anymore is 'cause of her. Kinda sad life's more borin' after marriage, considerin' how much you write about romance. Do you even write after the weddin'? [The Shadow holds a finger to its chin in mock contemplation.

The Barkeep clenches a fist. He is this close to slapping his double right there.]

[Ramza steps forward to put a hand on Barkeep's shoulder, in case he needs to hold him back when the Shadow mentions ~~mom~~ Harriet.]

That is not fair. There are many ways to go on an adventure. Not all of them are far-off or grand, but they are no less important. Life with Mrs. Harriet is a romance of its own.

[Could his roommate's Shadow not see the importance of the work he did to keep the peace and create a welcome environment for the people around him? Surely he must know how deep Barkeep's love for his wife ran, so much so that he could not even bear to attack a doppleganger of her with a faux sword.]

[Sparks winced a bit a the Shadow's last comment. These Shadow things know how to get right to the sore spots.]

I mean, she's also kinda busy doin' her Troubleshooter thing... Guess she see a lotta adventure herself...

[Sparks this isn't helping]

Uh, well, ya probably got more than enough adventure on this stupid rock anyway.

... Cuz she's...not... here...

[He sputters quietly.]

I'm gonna shut up now.

Sometimes being that ear that's willing to listen and the anchor for many people is adventure in itself. This Troubleshooter job your wife does sounds like it involves long periods of traveling so having a place to come back to all warm and loved is the best gift she could ever have.

Life after marriage doesn't have to be boring. Though if you don't mind me asking, is there a reason why your wife wouldn't let you go on adventures or is it you never brought this up with her? If it's for your own safety, I can understand that.

[Sparks Nevada gets a good old stinkeye. The urge to protest that no, he does not feel restricted by his marriage at all and the Shadow is a big fat liar is strong, but speaking that would result in a messy fight. Thankfully, Saori's question gets hims to answer that first.]

Yeah, it's mostly that. 'Bout 95% of the reason goin' by current estimates. [He made it up on the spot.] Used to go on all sortsa adventures with my buddies when I was young, which worried my wife's head off back when she wasn't my wife and we were datin', which is why we compromised by me not gettin' into trouble or lettin' trouble in my place while she's off workin'.

Which is, like, all the time.

[Another stinkeye. Shadow Mordecai is not helping.]

Harriet's a worrier, alright? I don't wanna send her to an early grave, that's all.

[Ramza frowns. He has seen the two of them together, and they obviously love one another. Is that not enough for the Shadow?]

Do you...resent her for worrying so much? For making you worry about her because of her concern for you?

Perhaps, when you return home, you may speak to her about this matter. I cannot imagine marrying a man who would ask me not to adventure.

Or, perhaps you could adventure together! Then she would have less reason to worry, as she could protect you as you protect her!

[Which seemed like a grand plan.]

Naw, I don't hate her. Can't, she's my wife. [Regular Mordecai rolls his shoulders back. Shadow Mordecai narrows his eyes.] It ain't...look, when we first met, I accompanied her on plenty of adventures. Almost died in the process. Don't that make sense? Now that she's workin' for months at a time and comin' home late, she doesn't want anythin' else stressin' her out.

[When Tazendra makes her suggestion, his rigid posture falls, and he looks at a discolored spot on the floor.]

If you're talkin' about helpin' her with work...well, they don't always need the Force Galactic. Even I can't fix computer problems if I don't know what to do. And when she's home, you see, all I want to do is help her relax. I don't...

[He turns to look at his Shadow.]

I don't think we have time for that no more.

I'll Face Myself - Mordecai Benmont Jiminy

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