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]

[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.

[chalicejoker]

Learned some words Hajime says I can't say!

[Because the baby shouldn't swear.]

Some of them from Hajime, too!

[And he says an Undead swear word that doesn't translate well but suggests a very particular way of removing an annoying person's arm from its socket.]

[helborn]

... Huh. Yeah, troll has some of those kinds of words, too. They're uh. Keen on the violence.

[chalicejoker]

Hajime says that language is from people very keen on violence! But not Troll. Undead! Not used-to-be-corpses Undead! But just can't die Undead!

[There's a pause.]

Hajime says that's a very important difference.

[helborn]

Yeah, I figured. Kid here deals with the used-to-be-corpses undead a lot.

[chalicejoker]

Hajime gets real mad if you think he's one of those!

...that's why he's always sure to point out difference.

[helborn]

Huh. Yeah. Weird, but whatever. Other worlds call stuff weird things.

[chalicejoker]

What's normal on one world not normal on others!

[helborn]

Yeah, I know. Still weird to me though.

[chalicejoker]

Weird can be different and fun!

[helborn]

It can be, I guess? Kid says I have no sense of fun. He's wrong, but that's what he says.

[chalicejoker]

Fun is important! Super important! I tell Hajime it's important all the time!

[helborn]

It isn't when you've got shit to do.

[chalicejoker]

Need to step back, make time for fun! Very important.

[helborn]

Not when you have a lot of stuff to do.