[And then he relaxes, eyes bright with amusement. That's the bad news, but he thinks it's important to set that boundary before any hopes get too high up.

Then he reaches up to shove at Zoro's face almost playfully, just as he snorts and grins.]

Don't worry, you'll get yourself sorted out soon. Firsts are always a pain in the ass.

I do look good on paper, don't I?

[The reality is much worse, but he's flattered nonetheless.]

[There was the answer.]

As if. Half the time you look homeless. [The shove back is delayed, but still comes. He moves past Baren.] Jeez... why did I agree to follow a conceited guy like you, anyway...

[rhetorical, joking–or an attempt at it. there's plenty of reasons why. He points between the dishes, looking back at Baren.] So which one's yours?

The one that looks like it can feed two elephants - are you kidding? Of course meat mountain is yours, stupid.

[He'll still grab his own plate and move to the table, shrugging as he goes.

Already he's re-evaluating. No more flirting with Z until he gets over whatever this weird infatuation is. Maybe it's because he lost his promise with that one girl? Is he looking for someone to fill that void? Maybe he's lonely....

Baren experiments with the idea of making him a Tinder.]

Anyway, I dunno. Could always follow Toasty. All he'd ask is for you to chug protein and do three hundred back handsprings everyday. [ . . . ] I feel like after knowing you as long as I have I should know what working out actually looks like, but I like my idea better.

[He's already shoving meat in his face. At least one third of the stuff is gone. He is definitely eating with his mouth full.]

You're not supposed to answer, idiot. It's one of those... [he can't remember the word rhetorical so he just decides... fuck it.] ... Whatever.

Toshi's a good guy but but I don't trust him enough for it.

Yeah.

[A long, long, long pause as Baren seems to just stare at a wall, unimpressed and expression blank.]

He's annoying as fuck.

[And then he'll keep eating.]

[well that's enough to make zoro stop eating.]

What'd he do?