|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2008 3:09 am
"I see..." Tousled mumbles, slightly subdued as she thinks back. Actually, didn't she hear something about that? One of those weird minders who seems to think that just because you haven't begun to fledge yet means that you can't understand a word they're saying... Not that she had understood much back then, more then that this grown-up, too, talked about her as if there was something wrong with her, and blamed it on someone called "that person". Then again, she has been compared with Moult or mentioned alongside him for most of her life, so it's possible that she gets her memories mixed up a bit.
Her beaming smile returns when the old bird offers his kind words and nips at her ear tuft, and she preens him back, temporarily at a lack of words due to her chest feeling a few sizes too small for her heart right now. She opens her beak with a mischievous glint in her eyes, but clacks it shut when she notices how weary the old Ghost is looking. Suddenly remembering that he is actually going through convalescence right now, she quickly calms down as her giddy excitement is tempered by worry. She had almost gotten used to the sight, but the poor old watcher does still look a frightful mess and probably needs a lot more rest to heal properly.
For a moment, she almost feels bad for letting him tell her his story and bring up all those sad and stressful memories, but she can't really bring herself to genuinely regret it.
"Oh... Anything!" She replies, bobbing her head earnestly.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2008 6:16 am
"I would like to... commission you. As a Crafter." The old male tilts his head, searching for the words with a mind gone somewhat fuzzy. "Although I admit I have little to trade." He chuckles a bit self-consciously, glancing off into the deeper woods beyond the medic shelter while he considers. Moult has never worn anything decorative in his life-- his Elite days burned a certain stark practicality in him that never really faded, but he is a different Sentinel now. It feels like it's time to start living, and something from Tousled would be a comfortable way to start.
"A pendant or necklace, I think-- the design wholly yours. The storm taught me a lesson that I would like to remember; that life is balance, and pain-- no matter how deep-- will eventually give way to happiness." His eyes half-closed, Moult turns back to Tousled with a look of deep affection. "Would you do that for me?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jaeger Erdarastrix Vice Captain
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2008 12:34 pm
Tousled straightens up a little and subconsciously puffs her fluffy chest out proudly, returning Moult's affectionate gaze with just as much warmth.
"I... I would be honored." Realising how official she sounds, the little Deep Woods settles back down with a slightly self-conscious giggle and nods at the old watcher. "I'd love to, Moult. I'd love to. In fact," she continues with increasing excitement. "I think I already have something... It's not finished yet, of course, but with a few tweaks, oh, it will be perfect!"
A surge of inspiration, almost as strong as the one that had made her begin her work on the unfinished masterpiece that lay hidden in her little pouch, ignites her and makes mischief sparkle in her eyes again. "But," she says, tilting her head to the side in mock pensiveness, "What do we do about payment? Hmmm..."
For Moult, she would gladly work for free - especially after everything that has happened today - even part with her masterpiece, which is exactly what she intends to do, but she really can't help but indulge her playfulness right now.
"Well, I guess for the sort of job that I have in mind, I really couldn't settle for anything less than everything you have." She shrugs. "Oh well, it seems there's no other way: I'll just have to adopt you. How's that? Fair price?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2008 8:57 am
That produces a laugh-- a real, deep belly-laugh, and the first since Tousled came to visit. It hurts to move so much of himself, but it's in a good and healing way. ...Hopefully. As he trails off into a quiet chuckle, the ghost male shakes his head. "Oh, my dear-- I think you'll have the worst of this deal." He leans closer, winking conspiratorily. "I'm a lot of work, you see. I must be preened regularly. I make an enormous mess wherever I roost and I talk constantly. And feathers, feathers everywhere!" He beams. "Oh, yes-- and I have to be fed four times a day. Sometimes five! It's a big responsibility... I'm just not sure you're ready for it."
Nodding sagely, Moult hems and haws for a moment, apparently deep in thought. "I may have a solution," he finally says, his tone a bit more drowsy than it had been previously. "I suppose I'll have to adopt you, instead. Yes, I think that will work out much better." And with that, Moult fluffs up as much as he can, settles down into a resting position, and closes his eyes. To all outward appearances, the ghost male has abruptly gone to sleep.
Save for the tiny glimmering slit of one barely-opened eye, peering to catch Tousled's reaction.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jaeger Erdarastrix Vice Captain
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2008 6:27 pm
Tousled has watched Moult's eruption of mirth with some worry but much delight, and was eventually pulled into it herself. Still giggling, she has nodded happily to all his claims of being a difficult pet to care for, but simmered down a bit when his tiredness started to become apparent again. She knows that the wounded old bird needs to sleep, and that she shouldn't keep him awake much longer, but of course she knows that he is not really sleeping yet.
She lets the pleasant wave of happy warmth pass through her little body, fluffing every feather in its wake, and then leans in to give Moult a very, very gentle preening, not bothering to hide the warm affection in her eyes and voice as she whispers softly:
"Yes, I think I can work with that. It's a deal. Now you get some sleep and get better soon, and I'll start working on that necklace. I'll come back and start fitting you for it later." She hesitates for a moment, mumbling uncertainly to herself, "I hope you'll like it..."
But now she knows exactly how to finish her masterpiece, and even if Moult would find it too gaudy or uncomfortable or anything like that, it doesn't really matter. In that case, she'll just keep it to herself, like she had meant to from the beginning, and think up something else to give to the genial old bird. In either case, it will be one of her finest pieces ever - maybe not as much because of its design, as for what it will henceforth always represent to her:
Family.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Feb 19, 2008 8:48 am
Moult's slightly open eye now closes with relief. Despite all their affectionate talk, he hadn't been certain that Tousled would take to the idea-- and he's still not certain that she realizes he wasn't really joking. But they'll deal with that issue when (and if) it comes up; until that point, Moult will treat Tousled as though she had been hatched in his own nest. The Watcher sighs a contented, exhausted sigh, and nods without opening his eyes again.
Will he like it? "I will," Moult replies in a confident rasp. Tousled could rip the head off a Mus and put it on a string, and he'd wear the resulting 'jewelry' with pride. "And I promise, I'll be much better the next time you come to visit." He intends to stop fighting Lichen-- or, at least, to try.
"Tousled...?" Sleepily, his eyes open slightly to take one last look at the ruffled little female. A slow smile slides over his face before rapidly-approaching sleep washes it away. "Thank you," he mumbles, and less than a minute later Moult is whistling softly, bruised beak tucked into the few patchy feathers on his chest, fast asleep.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jaeger Erdarastrix Vice Captain
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Feb 19, 2008 12:37 pm
"Silly old bird," Tousled whispers quietly, hearing on Moult's heavy breathing that he has finally surrendered to sleep, but giving him a careful final preen anyway. "You're welcome. And thank you."
She stays for a little while, as if to retain the feeling of confidentiality and comfort that has settled over the shelter for a while. Yet when she finally flies off through the dark woods and sets her course towards her own dear willow, that warm sensation stays with her. Fairly sure that there is no one around to see her, the little Deep Woods makes a loop in the air - not making any sounds at all, but still somehow managing to express a strong and joyful excitement. For a brief moment, she almost looks graceful.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
