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And so what was going to be a short walk became something that went on for hours.
You see.. Manitoba practically BEGGED Mike to even let him be around Scott,He barely barged into his request. And who wouldn’t? Scott tried BLACKMAILING him for his disorder,It was only fair. There was just only one condition,to not let Mike front whenever HE’S around. Which is fine by the Aussie anyways. It does get a bit weird since Manitoba only appears occasionally,so fronting for hours gets a bit funky and feel unreal. But he did it all for a reason anyways.
That ginger haired farm boy he barely got to talk to. Only time it was a direct conversation was in all stars where he grabbed him by the shirt. (Geez,talk about taking it too fast.) Manitoba barely heard about Scott besides Mike calling him psychotic,But his little interactions and observations of the boy made him intrigued. Seeing how far Scott made it into both seasons they both were on was..Impressive. It was only so lucky when the cast members you were mainly around decided to hang out,so you even HAD the chance to get in contact with Scott. (It’s even shocking he has a phone..It’s a really old one. Like a Nokia or something..)
So,The “Hat loving dork” and “Freckle-face” decided to meet up at some type of pasture. Manitoba was the one who suggested it since he vividly remembered it from their childhood. What was originally going to be 10 something minutes,was hours of strolling. Endless non-sensical chattering about the game or their previous lives. Scott tried keeping it brief at first,despite them not being IN the competition anymore,Why? Probably some type of mentality that he doesn’t NEED friends,He’s grown up with his parents and sister and whoever else is in his family on a farm anyways surrounded by animals. But overtime he’d spill. Honestly a nice change of pace for the Aussie chit-chatting with him,Makes him feel like he isn’t on that god awful show again.
It wasn’t exactly peaceful. Peaceful enough to feel safe,but not enough to be quiet. At least for a while before the two heard softer steps through the grass. How far did they go? Shouldn’t be their first thought right now. As Manitoba seemed skeptical,Scott seemed to recognise the “foot-steps” or.. hoof-steps.
“Calm down dork,It’s nothing dangerous.”
Scott sneered as he nudged Manitoba out of his alarmed state,snapping the Aussie out of the funk. Scott turned around and Manitoba followed the gesture to spot a flock of sheep,Surprisingly there’s no type of Shepherd with them.
“Ah,Whew! Just a buncha’ sheep. We’ll be right.”
Manitoba sighed in relief as he wiped sweat off his forehead before a small smirk grew on his face.
“Now,where were we?”
He’d turn to the taller boy next to him,only to see him frozen in place and.. oddly mesmerised by what they both saw. Considering Scott was a farm boy,he’s definitely dealt with Sheep before. But he didn’t expect this type of reaction to a wave of nostalgia,he assumed? Could be wrong,how would he know? A bit went by in pure silence followed with a very confused boy in a hat.
“Kookaburra? ‘Ellooo?”
He’d wave his hand in front of Scott to get him to snap out of whatever hypnosis trick those sheep put on him. It seemed to work as Scott blinked rapidly before looking at Manitoba,a bit dazed off.
“Huh. What?”
The expression Scott put on was the usual bitter one he gave everyone,a total shift from what he just saw.
“You were zoned out over there,mate. What,Nostalgia hit ya’?”
He’d ask playfully,placing a hand on his hip as he tilted his head. Scott only just realised that he was staring at the flock for a bit too long. Which wouldn’t be a problem if it weren’t for him seeming all “starry-eyed” towards them.
“Tch,None of your business,Dora the explorer!”
He’d scoff,Glaring at Manitoba. “Dora the explorer?” That’s a new one,..yeesh. He’d turn back to the sheep,literally doing nothing but standing around and eating the grass they were walking on. Staring once again as the Aussie seemed to stare AT Scott. Which unlike last time;seemed a bit more focused. He’d hold his breath for a bit.
“You won’t tell anyone about what I’m going to try and do.”
What Scott spat out didn’t seem like a plea,more so a demand..even a threat almost. Manitoba’s face shifted into a mix of offense but also confusion. Was he going to attack the sheep and eat their raw meat or something?
“Yeesh,Alright! It isn’t that hot in Sydney,Don’t chuck a wobbly.”
He raised his hands up,trying to signal that he’s an innocent man! He is I tell you!
Scott glared at him for a bit now before nodding and what seems to be him approaching the sheep closest to him. Manitoba quietly followed,curious on what the ginger was trying to do. Scott seemed focused;not in the way that he was planning his next move,but in the way he seemed to KNOW his next move. Manitoba seemed to prepare for the worst,knowing the more so brute nature of the farm boy. The guy was a bit dense in all stars and after that whole attack can’t even hear the word “shark” without a chill running down his spine,sure. But he still has his skills either he got from on the farm or from his Papi.. He had to admit one thing,the way Scott called his dad “Papi” was cute. Scott was always the one to call him a dork,but he never seemed to talk about his own traits. But that wasn’t a negative thing to the Aussie,it was charming in it’s own way,somehow.
To the surprise of Manitoba,Scott didn’t jump on the sheep and end it right then and there. But instead kneeled down carefully to an approximate of the sheep’s height,Biding his time as he hummed in a monotone,quietly. It was all a bit too unfamiliar to Manitoba. After a while of keeping his eye on the guy in ROTI and the few times they got to talk,in and outside of the game;This wasn’t anything he heard from anyone talk about Scott. From Zoey he’d hear that he’s cruel,From Courtney that he’s a rat,And so on that were lodged in the back of the headspace. Although not admitting it publicly,He enjoyed Scott’s company.
What seemed to take a few minutes Scott lend out his hand towards the flock,Or whichever sheep was closest to him. And Manitoba on the other hand looked like a clueless dog.
“..What’re you tryna do?”
“QUIIEET.”
Scott half whispered with his teeth grit. It was already embarassing enough to do this with someone,but one of Multiple Mike’s alters. He’s just hoping Mike himself can’t see this,or however it works. Scott doesn’t understand how that whole thing works,but he’s .. trying? I guess. Manitoba exhaled in frustration with the sudden hostility,pursing his lips.
It didn’t take too long until a sheep started sniffing Scott’s hand. Didn’t take long before.. Scott started petting the sheep. Well that was a twist.
Knowing how ruthless Scott can be and the badmouthing he’s received from a good amount of the cast,Made him seem like a threat. But here he was,Petting a sheep. Manitoba just gazed,surprised. Before snapping back in reality as he kneeled to Scott’s height to sit down.
Scott seemed gentle whilst scratching the sheep’s chin,Using slower and steadier movements than the sharp ones he’d use to talk to someone. The ginger even started cooing quietly ,spewing loving nonsense only he could really understand.
It made Manitoba’s heart stop for a second.
Did Cupid try to lasso him up?
Did it win?
Now that he takes a closer look at who he’s been chatting with for the past hours,he’s noticed more than before. Stuff he found.. unique.
Freckles all over his body,Most noticeably on his cheeks and shoulders. Each varying a different shade from one another. His skin seemed grubby,as if an attempt to wipe off dirt was made. Even his clothes seemed to have remains of dirt and grass and whatnot. Even some stubble started to grow around his chin and his upper lips. Very small but he caught on..But why was he noticing this now? Manitoba was one of the - if not most observant between the other alters in the headspace,but all of this was a first timer.
Cupid you dirty bird.
After what took a bit,Scott finally let go of the sheep as it followed the rest of its herd. Letting out a nasally chuckle to himself as he watched. He took a deep breath before looking back at Manitoba,who followed his lead on standing. Trying to wipe off the total fool he made of himself in front of the guy. Embarrassment creeping up on him. Did Manitoba help with that?
“Hah! Looks like ya’ gone soft on’ em,Cute of ya.”
He chuckled,grinning..Was he flirting? But one thing for sure we got an answer to our previous question.. No,No he did NOT help.
“Tch- Zip it Diego the Dirt Digger.”
He’d snap back,pouting whilst turning his head. His face heated up due to the embarrassment he made of himself.
“Ayy I’m just stirrin’ ya! Don’t be like that!”
He’d laugh off as Scott crossed his arms,Rolling his eyes.
“But don’t worry Kookaburra,This is between us ‘n us only.”
He nodded.
“..Whatever. Let’s just continue this before the suns down.”
The ginger wouldn’t admit it,but he appreciated the secret being kept.
He appreciated this whole thing,actually.