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 Posted: Mon Oct 16, 2006 10:11 pm
Jojo meandered down the streets of the city, looking about as pissed off and annoyed as the man ever looked. Forever casual, laid back and relaxed, it was odd to see his blue brows bowed together behind his sunglasses.
The expression was far from fitting.
Thankfully, though, the Landlord of Shadyside Apartments wasn't in a bad mood, just deep in thought. He loped down the streets of the town, ignoring the strange looks he recieved from those he passed.
He really couldn't blame them. "I don't know why I have to walk you," he sighed, succumbing to his "duties" that weren't really his at all!
Bird walking. Like a natural scarecrow, the man carefully made his way past various shops and down a maze of sidestreets and backroads. Birds covered him like grease to a burger, and when one would fly off, another would soon take its place.
He looked ridiculous, like an escaped freakshow from the circus. But no one would stop him, they never did. Who would want to bother a crazy bird man . . . ?
One of the birds gave a squawk. Jojo stopped, glancing to his right. The glass of a building reflected the scene. Another squawk, and he lazily stepped closer. "Show off," he murmured, though no malice was found in his words.
Yes, the Peregrine Falcon that took residence upon his shoulder wanted to admire itself. The other birds - sparrows, thrushes, hummingbirds, black birds, geese and falcons - waited patiently for Jojo to continue.
The flock enjoyed their daily walks. It made them feel more human.
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Posted: Mon Oct 16, 2006 10:42 pm
Certainly odd, there's no question about that. But while most wisely kept their distance, there seemed to be atleast one who boldly approached the strange man and his feathered charges.
The oddity seemingly have piqued her interest, for one reason or another, and the blonde haired lady was soon within ear shot.
"I thought owning an endangered falcon was illegal. But then again... I figured it was illegal to own any sort of wild bird due to the migratory bird laws. I suppose you must have a license of some sort... falconry perhaps? Or maybe some sort of wildlife... conservationist?"
Even if either of those were so, it is rather weird to see someone about with so many birds. Not to mention in the open.
Despite that, the woman seemed amused, a light smirk on her face as she looked each of the feathered being over in turn.
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Posted: Tue Oct 17, 2006 6:51 am
Jojo glanced over his shoulder, not turning to face her else his wards get upset. The Peregrin was a bit of a tempermental sort, and even though Jojo was of extraordinary sort, that still didn't make the falcon's claws any less sharp.
Liscenses? Oh, yeah. Those pieces of paper that said you were approved to owning and caring for wildlife. Jojo had paper work back at the shop, though his name only showed up on it from time to time. Besides which, he thought the idea was rediculous. How could some piece of paper say "You may own this" or "you may not own that"? People would do what they needed, regardless of what a piece of paper demanded.
The joys of authority figures, he mused, but that was just the way humanity kept order.
"I never claimed to own any of these," Jojo admitted mildly, reaching a hand up to push up his sunglasses. It was the truth. None of the Birds were "his" to claim - Jojo merely catered to their wishes.
"They're merely here by their own wishes. These animals come and go when they please." A lazy smile crossed the paly mans features, before he turned back to his reflection.
The Peregrin Falcon gave spared the blonde a look, and one that wasn't entirely friendly. A grey Petrel ruffeled its wings, turning two beady eyes to peer at the woman. Strange how the animals reacted to one anothers presence.
A falcon sitting contently besides its prey? Sea birds preening thrushes? There was something strangely unnatural about the whole scene. But, stranger things have happened. . . .
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Posted: Wed Oct 18, 2006 3:26 pm
"So you're saying these birds are wild, and are just hanging around because... they feel like it?" The woman arched a single brow, "Right." Her tone indicating that she clearly doesn't believe him.
All these birds look as if they're probably trained. Her eyes met with those of the avians looking her way. The woman not missing the fact that predator and prey were sitting next to each, and preening.
"I'm rather fond of birds myself..." and she's never seen anything quite like this in her life. It seemed to violate many natural laws, and yet it was fascinating at the same time.
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Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2006 7:39 am
Jojo blinked at the woman, reading the distrust that was painted all over her face. She may not believe in him, but no one said that was requiered. She could believe what she wanted, but believing anything besides what he had told her would be wrong.
Thankfully, Jojo wasn't an argumentative type. That was Shanuh and Nikel and Kirwan's job, not his. Life was too short to bicker with people, or get caught up on being proved right. The woman would believe what she wanted to believe, no matter how honest Jojo was being.
Given, if Jojo wasn't an argumentative type, that didn't necessarily mean the Birds felt the same. Who did she think she was? Fond of birds? If she was so fond of birds, then why didn't she believe. . .?
Did she have no faith? Did she think birds were nothing more than stupid feathered beings?
Unrest permeated throughout the group, and it visibly showed. The Peregrin bobbed his head, fluffing out the crest of his head, and his wings. A happy camper? Not quite. The woman's arrogance was hurting his own, and HE didn't like it.
A questionable chirp from a chickadee, followed by a resounding cluck of a yellow-billed cuckoo. They weren't sure about this lady, she was a source to study and reckon with if need be.
Jojo glanced at the shuffling crowd on his shoulders, arms. Deciding to keep moving, just in case his feathered friends became a smidge on the anti-social side, the man gave a brief smile.
"Looks like they want me to keep moving." As he drifted past, one of the avians decided it would be good if the woman followed. A small brown and black faced Gambel's Quail suddenly jumped off Jojo's shoulder, and with a flutter of its wings, flopped ungracefully onto the blonde.
With a commanding chirp, he directed her to follow. He'd throw a fit if she didn't.
Jojo didn't seem to notice, and if he did, didn't seem at all surprised.
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Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2006 4:59 pm
Now both brows are lifted in surprise and uncertainty as the mixed flock seems to radiate its unhappiness. Don't tell her they actually understood what she was saying? There is just something very strange about this group... almost other wordly. These birds just were not behaving in the manner that birds... usually do.
Being that she studied birds, this woman would certainly know.
The quail flopping on her shoulder, brown eyes widened in surprise. "What the..." She was speechless... staring at the small pudgey bird up until it chirped. In a rather commanding way at that. Its then that she noticed that the man and his followers were departing. Looking to the quail... and then back to the man's back, she sighed. A hand lifting to scratch her head in an exasperated manner. "I must be going crazy..." muttered she, before quietly following.
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Posted: Tue Oct 24, 2006 11:41 am
The laid back guardian of the Birds continued with his window shopping. Every now and then, one of the Birds would jump off and leave with a flutter of feathers, abandoning its post in lue of something better. Occassionally, a new Bird would swoop down from a secret perch in the city, only to replace whatever avians that had left.
A walking Bird man was Jojo's part today, and though he much preferred to be lounging elsewhere wth the flock, if it was a walk they demanded then it was a walk they would recieve.
One block, two blocks, he was halfway through the third when he noticed that Blondie had kept up with him and his flock. Oh. "I'm Jojo, by the way," he greeted lazily. "Always nice to have a spot of company."
In all honesty, he didn't care whether or not the woman stayed or went. She could remove herself from the quail and go back to her own business as far as he was concerned. He doubted the Birds would throw too much of a fit, and the Quail's bruised pride would heal with time.
Strange that she'd follow by choice, but whatever. Human's were entertaining creatures, full of surprises around every bend.
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Posted: Thu Nov 02, 2006 6:40 pm
(( I don't know what happened with that last post. I remember writing something... but obviously something went wrong. xd ))
She was entertaining? Well she thought the same of him and his little following. The woman having lost herself in thought, although occasionally glancing at the Quail. It was a cute little fellow. There was no denying that.
However, as he introduced himself, she looked up and gave her name off habit, "Nikki." That being her curt reply, she didn't know what else to say. She wasn't the most social of sorts, really. But still, curiousity drove her onward.
"So tell me.. where did these birds come from? Did they just.. appear?" She expects that to be an affirmative since he already told her that they just seem to come and go as they please. But noting the obvious difference in species, many of which weren't local, she couldn't help but be skeptical about that as well.
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Posted: Fri Nov 03, 2006 6:47 am
((You know what's funny? I thought we already went through getting to know her name and she had asked Jojo if the Birds had names. =_=; Maybe I'm going crazy, because I remember specifically Jojo telling her that they eventually told them their names after they grew. This is crazy. I know we've gone through this already~! *blear*))
Nikki. Huh, typical human name, though Jojo would always put the name with a more eccentric being. The Nikki he knew was full of transgendered grace, with violet hair and emerald eyes and fair skin. A bit of a chatter box, a bit of a narcissist, but he still loved him anyway.
"These guys have been around much longer than the we have," he commented, casually shifting his hands into his pockets as he strolled. "They tend to congregate at the petstore down yonder," he flicked his chin in the direction of the shop, which caused a few of his Birds to squabble in protest. "Must like the ambience of the place."
It wasn't entirely true, but Jojo didn't feel like going into specifics. It was easier to tell it like it was. The Birds liked the shop, and it was their local perch. There wasn't much more to it than that.
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Posted: Fri Nov 03, 2006 5:55 pm
(( Yeah, I know what you mean.. its odd. o_O ))
His first sentence left her puzzled, "What do you mean they've been here longer than they have?" After all.. birds don't even live nearly as long as people, unless its like a parrot or something. This fellow made absolutely no sense to her... but then maybe he had a few screws loose. It certainly
seemed that way.
Following his gesture toward the pet shop, she lifts a brow again. A shop? Why would the birds choose such a place? How ironic, "Perhaps they're looking for a home?" she replied in a somewhat joking manner.
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Posted: Tue Nov 07, 2006 7:00 am
Jojo allowed a lazy smile to cross his features. At least this Nikki woman was catching on to the concept! Sort of. . . in a silly twist of events. Did she realize she summed up the Bird's mission statement?
Nope.
But that was all right. She'd figure it out soon enough. The concieited peregrin falcon, still sitting properly on Jojo's shoulder, turned to give Nikki a glower. Was she really that stupid?
Bah. She'd never do for him, that was for sure! And heaven help the Bird that chose her.
"Oh," Jojo drawled, giving his blonde companion a sidelong look, "I meant what I said. My counterparts and I set up the shop a few years ago, but these Birds have been present in this life much longer." Exactly how long, that was Nikel's department. He was the history buff between the four of them. He was the one who kept the records.
A little hummingbird, green and white, buzzed first around Nikki's head (disturbing the lazy quail) and then around Jojo's. Circling once, twice, three times the little bird eventually took a perch on the blue-haired man's sunglasses.
Jojo gave another grin. "Well, Nikki, you've just about hit the nail on the head. Companions are what these guys seek, though it tends to be a drawn out process. Who knows? Maybe one will find you a suitable match."
He wasn't teasing her, he was being serious despite the light in his voice. Maybe she was companion material, maybe she wasn't. It wasn't up to Jojo, or Shanuh, or the lot of them.
It was up to the Bird's. Thus far, Jojo was getting the feeling a few of them liked the blonde, but the majority had no time for her. But that was all right - it only took one. She surely didn't need a whole flock.
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Posted: Tue Nov 07, 2006 8:11 pm
At first thinking the hummingbird an insect, Nikki lazily swatted at the air until she realized her error. Followed by a soft, somewhat apologizing 'Oh'. Listening quietly to the man's words, her expression showed her disbelief... and thoughts that this man might have been dropped as a baby.
However, she suddenly looked surprised at the notion of a bird choosing her as a companion. "Wha-?" the woman pausing before allowing herself to utter the ridiculous phrase she had intended. Instead, her gaze traveled back to the quail on her shoulder. The woman looking decidedly puzzled. She was only joking after all... whoever said she wanted to take home a bird? But then.. could she rightly refuse?
Thus, she just continued to dumbly follow. A glower being sent back at the falcon.
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Posted: Fri Nov 10, 2006 8:02 am
Jojo said nothing in response to the woman's starteled surprise, his sunglassed gaze staring blankly out at the road before them. The city enveloped the pair, lifeless cars occassionally passing by, fellow pedestrians caught up in their own little worlds.
At the door to the Birdcage, of course, he stopped. "Well, kiddies, that's it for the tour today," he drawled, reaching up slowly to poke at one of the many avians that covered him.
THe flock seemed to sigh, a few chittering in complaint and sounding thoroughly displeased.
"Hey, you got here late! What can I say? I'm not walking a marathon here. I'll come back tomorrow or something, all right? Besides, you guys have wings and can fly! Why the hell do you need me to be a chauffer?"
Despite his lazy exasperation, Jojo's pale lips curved in to a grin. He wasn't really upset. He was too laid back to truly care. "Now go on, the lot of you. Food's up on the roof."
A few Bird's, with a fluttering of feathers, launched off Jojo's back and shoulders. Loose feathers and down sprinkled the surrounding area like a dusting of snow. With resignation, the peregrin falcon took his leave, along with the plethora of chickadee's, thrushes and sparrows.
Nikki's own Quail ran up and down her shoulders, back and forth, back and forth before giving a happy little cheep and scurrying off and away. Within moments, the entire flock was gone.
Except, of course, for one.
Jojo stared up at the sky, watching the flock of Bird's scatter. His expression didn't change, his position didn't budge, but he spoke to the remaining bird.
"Aren't you leaving too?" A black bird, feathers pure as ebony clung tightly to Jojo's pant leg. The crow gave a little churr, staring up first a Jojo, then looking over a Nikki.
Blue hair, blonde hair, blue hair, blonde hair.
Quite randomly, with an obnoxious screech, the bird flung himself dramatically over to to Nikki, clinging on to her pant leg.
Jojo smirked, finally turning his attention to Bird and woman. "Well you needn't be so dramatic about it. If you like her, then stay. You needn't have to let her go."
The black bird looked expectantly up at Nikki, feathers poofing out, showing off for the woman. That was right. She was now his~! Oh glorious, joyous day.
And yes, Nikki had absolutely no say in the matter.
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Posted: Fri Nov 10, 2006 2:33 pm
Nikki chuckled quietly as the quail skittered back and forth across her shoulders. The woman having grown to like the little pudgey fowl. Her gaze inclining as she watched it take off with the others.
Having thought they all left, she sighed quietly, wondering. Although she heard Jojo speaking, she wasn't paying much attention. However, when she felt something grab her pantlet, she immediately looked down. To see a pair of dark eyes looking back up at her.
Again she was surprised, but a faint smile came to her lips, amused at the black bird. "Well now, aren't you a handsome fellow." Despite her somewhat rude demeanor, Nikki truely did have a heart for animals.
She blinked again as Jojo continued to speak to the bird. What did this mean? Was he implying that this crow was to stay with her? Not that she was going to refuse, but... it was still all confusing.
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