-TWIRLS GUN-
"... Ahaaha.. About that..." Vash scratched his neck even more, before dropping the free hand to his side, straightening up some and looking... totally out of place. The situation wasn't dire or serious- just... slightly humiliating to admit.
"They... Really wanted to come out and play." And Eriks was making sure to keep most of the attacks averted, even though the twins could obviously take care of themselves. "Will the Big Brothers play with them?" Naaah, he wasn't mocking- it was an honest question, or as honest as things like that could get. Really, the Stampede wasn't sure if he should feel scolded or not; the twins being on the battlefield wasn't something he exactly liked (then again, after Zazie, one had to accept all kids didn't mind bombs, and so long as they didn't get hurt--), but... he, himself needed to be out in the action. Which was selfish, sure, but that was that.
And Cloud got a glance, eyes opened enough for the blue to escape through, underneath the matted-with-smoke-and-blood blond-black strands of hair. It was drooped, like his shoulders; and, man, did he feel old. Even though he was really only 30-ish in human years. Kind of pathetic.
... And these were things to think about in the middle of a warzone. Really.