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

[chalicejoker]

Hello!

[Hi, new critter friend on the network, hi! Hi!]

[helborn]

[Bob remembers that voice...]

Oh. It's you.

[He still kind of wants to eat Ryo but he's also not stupid.]

I guess this place can translate for me if it's not out loud.

[morethanashadow]

[oh!!!]

Hey Bob! Glad you could join us.

[helborn]

Oh! Hey, bird boy. At least now you can hear me better.

He's just kinda amused by this. Dunno how it happened.

[morethanashadow]

Yeah, that helps.

I think it's one of the psychic things you can pick up. Though this is one of those cases where it was clearly kind of an accident.

[flatteries]

"Him"? Who's that?

[ Especially since that scratchy voice is kind of odd. ]

[helborn]

Yeah. I'm not complaining, though.

[Casper's voice is in the background. 'But that's all you do.']

Shut up, I'm talking now.

[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.

[morethanashadow]

[Phillip snorts.]

So you are going to tell all of us when we're being idiots, or just Casper?

[helborn]

Obviously. Someone needs to keep an eye on you idiots.

[morethanashadow]

We're gonna be keeping you real busy, then.

[otomechapilot]

Hey Bobert the Raven.

Think the last time we talked like this I was a tiny pastel colored horse.

[finalizes]

[G R O W L I N G]

[levelthreehooligan]

Pinya and Fenrir's mental note of question rings through the network.

Casper?? Who's this?

[helborn]

Ah, keep your fur on.

[chalicejoker]

Yes, it's me!

[Why wouldn't this be great? Ryo is pretty sure he can take the bird in a fight. He can shapeshift, the bird cannot as far as he knows.]

You hear a lot of interesting things when it's not out loud! Lots of new words and things!

[helborn]

Probably. It's not like I kept any sort of transformation. But I guess this network got smart enough to speak raven.

[It's definitely not something Casper did. Definitely not.]

[helborn]

... Bob. The raven. I've been around.

[helborn]

Yep. There's at least five of you that need a good pecking.

[helborn]

[This is true, the bird cannot shapeshift. Or do much other than be a bird.]

I learned a lot of words and things from him. I'm not exactly a hatchling anymore, I've had time.

[otomechapilot]

Or Casper's translating in the background. We've picked up some neat tricks.

Welcome to the Network!

[helborn]

I guess. He's a little bit of a slow learner sometimes.

['According to who?', is Casper's response in the background.]

[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.

[morethanashadow]

Am I one of them? [if not then Bob hasn't been paying enough attention, clearly.]

[levelthreehooligan]

Oh! Yes, I think I saw you when Casper and I were Sparring. Pleased to make your acquaintance, Bob.