[Children's Minds are Like Sponges]

[snakenbake.livejournal.com]

[There's a ridiculously young Big Boss in the library. He's actually reading a book rather intensely. The book is about parenting. He's actually...reading a book...about parenting. He has no clue what he's doing or supposed to be doing and he never got any training about it other than how The Boss treated him while training with her. He figured that he would try the concrete sequential approach to this rather than a more abstract approach before he runs into stoicism or any of his children again.]

Hnn...

[He's flipping through the book appearing mildly frustrated.]

((ooc: Open to any of Big Boss' many kids, adopted or blood-related...and yes, even his 'old' kids.))

Comments

[liquidouroboros.livejournal.com]

[This Liquid wandered in after finishing the pile of books he had gotten from here a few weeks beforehand--he paused upon seeing what he assumed to be Snake reading something.]

[...good lord, was that a book on parenting?]

I didn't realize you had kids, brother.

[He smirked, turning away to look through the nearest shelf.]

[snakenbake.livejournal.com]

"...Parents should behave respectfully towards their children...Parents should also insist on being treated with respect by the children..."

[He looks up from the book and then at Liquid. John's voice should be enough to clue his Son into the fact that he's sharing the space in the library with his Father. He doesn't expect to be the recipient of any sort of mutual respect, due to the life of his Son, but he also thinks that he shouldn't automatically expect the lowest from him. John's going to continue to give him the benefit of the doubt.]

[liquidouroboros.livejournal.com]

[Hold on a second...that wasn't Snake.]

You're reading a book on parenting?!

[He'll just be over here laughing himself to death.]

[snakenbake.livejournal.com]

...

[He grumbles inwardly feeling a little embarrassed at first.]

Would you rather I not? [Shit, man. At least John is trying to make an effort here. He could use all the help he can get!]

[liquidouroboros.livejournal.com]

That's hardly the point. Just...the irony is rather hilarious.

[snakenbake.livejournal.com]

[He closes the book and sighs, sounding and appearing a bit discouraged already.]

Yes, I know. I know.

[liquidouroboros.livejournal.com]

Oh, for god's sake. You're going to give up so easily?

[snakenbake.livejournal.com]

Of course not. I wouldn't even be in here if I was...

_{Thought that was obvious.}



[That doesn't mean that he isn't still a bit embarrassed, though.]

[liquidouroboros.livejournal.com]

Hmph. I won't say your effort's wasted, but evidence of all other universes seems to be against you.

[clonesoldier.livejournal.com]

[David glances into the room, his blue eyes wide with curiosity. He pushes the door and enters inside quietly. He notices his young father and saunters in closer, until he's lingering at the foot of the table. His fingers strum lightly on the wood, and then he asks in a quiet voice,]

What are you reading?

[snakenbake.livejournal.com]

[He looks up to behold his boy standing there, staring at him. John gives him a look as if he's been caught with his hand in the cookie jar. He wants to take the vague route-]

A book.

[-but he knows that's not a good thing to do. Even the book in his hands has a passage about how all children should be taught the difference between right and wrong, respect for others and their property, and respect for their elders...and to teach them the value of truth.]

[John sighs.]

_{It's a book about parenting.}

[clonesoldier.livejournal.com]

...

[David just nods slowly. He feels this man isn't going to be a threat to him, so he stalks closer and wriggles into a seat beside him. He looks down at the book, reading it in his head.]

[He kicks his feet gently back and fourth.] You seem like a good dad.

[snakenbake.livejournal.com]

...

[The words that come out of David's mouth touches his heart, but that feeling of elation doesn't even last a whole two seconds. John knows better-]

I'm trying to be.

I want things to turn out differently for you, and I know the only way to do that is to start with myself. If I don't...there's going to come a time where you'll stop forgiving me- [Then he stops himself realizing that he's talking to a very young David and he won't know what he's going on about, nor does he care to tell him; not if things are to be different.]

[clonesoldier.livejournal.com]

[David stares at John, his eyes softening a bit in confusion.]

I don't know what you could do that wouldn't make me forgive you. You seem like a nice guy. And... you're pretty cool.

[He slips his hand over the book page, reading over it leisurely.]

[snakenbake.livejournal.com]

[He just looks over to David and hesitates for a moment.]


You mean that? [Because he has to ask.]

[clonesoldier.livejournal.com]

Are you kidding?

Of course. You're Big Boss. [He wriggles a little.] Your older selves are kind of weird to get used to... _{More like a grandfather.}

But you... You seem like the right age to be my dad.

[snakenbake.livejournal.com]

I'm a few years younger than I was when you were born. That will have to do, I suppose.

[John looks at his Son and wonders if he can be a good role model for him. He must be doing something right if the boy accepts him as his Father. That makes him happier than he may appear since that happiness is tempered with worry and insecurity.]

[stoicism.livejournal.com]

[Null has tracked his commander down here and silently attempts to creep up on the older man. He hasn't had as much practice in stealth as he'd like recently; he'll take any opportunity he can to try and sneak up on Big Boss.]

[snakenbake.livejournal.com]

Hello, Frank.

[He closes his book.]

[stoicism.livejournal.com]

[Caught faster than usual -- his boots must have made more noise than he thought. Not about to let the experience deter him, he straightens out and approaches the table his commander is seated at.]

Hello, Sir.

[snakenbake.livejournal.com]

Hello. [He nods to the boy.]

You found me. I need to fine a better hiding place.

[He's sure that his humor will be lost on Frank, but he tries anyway. He knows that the boy will learn eventually...]

[stoicism.livejournal.com]

Should you attempt to conceal yourself, I will locate your position.

[The humour is definitely lost on the unintentionally creepy kid.]

[snakenbake.livejournal.com]

...Right.

I know you will, Son.

[He just smiles and shakes his head.]

[stoicism.livejournal.com]

[He takes notice of the book on the table and gestures to it, tilting his head a little as he regards his commander.]

...Is that for our next lesson?

[snakenbake.livejournal.com]

[This is the ONLY TIME he's so glad that Frank can't read so well yet.]

_{No, this one is for me.}

We will resume your lessons soon. I just have to rework my lesson plan first.