And now the Bird Word

[helborn]

[The 'voice' that shows up on the network is rough and scratchy, as if it's more croaked than anything.]

'And then you had to go off and disappear like th -'

[Casper's 'voice' responds.]

We've gone over this and - wait, we're on the network. You're on the network.

... Shit.

'Well, would you look at that? Now I can tell people how much of an idiot you're being.'

You would even if you couldn't speak.

'I mean, probably.'

... I'm sorry about him. In advance, and in general.

Comments

[helborn]

My name's Bob. ... Not the dog, I'm a raven.

[Casper in the background just goes 'He's a wolf, not a dog.']

Whatever.

[finalizes]

[G R O W L I N G]

[helborn]

Ah, keep your fur on.

[finalizes]

My wolf fur has no trouble staying on.

Unlike the trouble your feathers might develop with staying on, if you continue to call me a dog.

[helborn]

I'm just -

[There's the distinct feeling of annoyance as Casper just yells 'nope nope nope' over Bob's psychic voice.]

All right, all right, fine! Whatever...

[finalizes]

[A while later Casper will find himself with a very affectionate boyfriend cuddling him.

He didn't mean to distress him, but OTHER BOB SOMETIMES]

[helborn]

[It's fine, birdbro is just an ass.]

[flatteries]

[ Inigo briefly wonders who the dog is, considering that doesn't sound familiar to him, but then there's the growling.. There's the dog, apparently. He'll leave those two to that. ]

Can animals access the network too?

[helborn]

[Casper cuts in, because right now Bob is being an ass.]

'Apparently? I've heard a few companions on here so far.'

[flatteries]

Well, I suppose it's not that odd if they're capable of some form of speech regularly.. It makes me wonder though why some seem capable of accessing and others don't.

[helborn]

I can talk, it's just that you guys can't understand it.

'I think it might be something I'm doing? I don't know.'

[flatteries]

[ By Naga, a sassy bird. It's like Questing Country all over again... ]

Do you think perhaps he's using it through you?

[helborn]

'Possibly?'

Well, whatever. Now you guys can listen to the actual advice I have to give.

[flatteries]

[ .. Is he going to regret asking this?

Might as well ask it anyway. ]

What kind of advice?

[helborn]

Like how to avoid the stupid shit you get up to. I've seen how you guys act on some of these Jaunts.

[flatteries]

Most of us aren't that bad, you know..

[ Is he seriously going to argue this with a bird. ]

Some people just get a little.. too enthusiastic?

[helborn]

Enthusiasm is going to get you killed some day.

[flatteries]

I.. Isn't that a little too dramatic? [ Even though he does get the point, but Inigo has to give everything a positive spin. ]

So far we've mostly been fine! We all look out for each other.

[helborn]

Is it? I don't think so. But yeah, you have been. Don't think that these sorts of things won't ramp the hell up, though.

[flatteries]

[ Okay, that settles it. Getting lectured by a bird? Definitely weird.

Which means the only way Inigo can deal with it is by making lame jokes. ]

Does that mean you plan on putting your best foot forward as well?

[helborn]

Joke's on you, both of my feet are my best feet.

[flatteries]

Are all birds this.. [ He almost says "full of yourself", but he's trying to be nice here! ]

.. self-confident as you are?

[helborn]

Depends on the bird, but I'm special.

[Casper butts in.]

He's old, for a raven. I think the only reason he's still around is that he was sent by my mother. I'm pretty sure he was, at least.

[flatteries]

Why would your mother send you a raven?

[ He can't imagine his own mother doing that.. ]

[helborn]

She's a goddess. A lot of the deities send their children an animal companion.