chikaidestroyer | ∞ 104: Five years gone [voice/action]

[Forwarded to afternoon of Sunday, November 4]

[voice]

As we have entered the sixth cycle year for Luceti, there are new calendars available for the upcoming year. Copies may be picked up at the library or the Welcome Center. Thank you.

[Right before the journal stops recording, there's the sound of loud banging against a far off window, followed by said window shattering.]

[action]

[Albert stares at his broken window. Or, more precisely, he stares beyond the broken window at the huge eyes peering at him from outside. Then there's the flutter of equally-huge wings and a resounding thump on the roof.

He hurries out of his room and into the spare room, quickly setting up the ladder and climbing up onto the roof.

And out there, standing there as patiently as can be, is a somewhat familiar giant owl, hunched over as to not look as imposing as it would at its full 12 feet of height. It is dressed with a big turquoise ribbon around its neck, which holds an envelope in place.]

...No.

[Three minutes later, after getting the owl to allow him to remove the envelope, Albert sits on his roof reading the enclosed letter.

A shame that you are still trapped in this world, my boy; we are still working away on solving this issue! Here is a gift in commemoration to when you first started contributing to the Organization. I had a feeling you would like it!

- With sympathy, Sir Catherine]

Bil.

[Above him, the giant owl clacks its beak almost understandingly at his exasperation.]

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[Still a little tired out from the draft, Raine had been napping right through the entire commotion. It is only a little while later when she emerges, the sun already having made a significant decline.

... Seeing that particular door open is always enough to give her pause. But of course, if it's open, there are only a couple of reasons for it. And the familiar ladder set up.

She's never hesitated before when it came to climbing up; she doesn't sense any reason to do so now.]

[Albert stands carefully on the roof with the owl, for once not talking with people over the journal; the owl has his full attention at the moment. He sighs at the owl as it preens, dusting at his hair as tufts of feathers slip out.]

You won't be able to stay here, you realize. [He frowns up at the owl as he speaks to it.] Perhaps the forest, if there are some particularly large trees, but you will most likely need to live in the mountains.

[... Not alone? But it didn't sound like he was talking to Caesar, or even one of the smaller owls.

... And then her head reaches the top of the ladder, and she simply stares for a moment.]

... You must be joking.

[The voice from behind has Albert turn his head, though he knows who it is without having to look directly at her.]

...Hello Raine. Meet our newest New Feather.

Then I take it that one of Rune's relatives didn't have a growth spurt. [She finishes climbing all the way up, though takes a better look at the owl. And yes, she's joking, as she attempts to place the owl mentally.]

I could argue that it is one of Rune's relatives, regardless of growth, but ... that does not change the fact that it is here, on the roof. [His brow twitches when the owl cleans its wing disinterestedly.]

You, and owls... [She shakes her head a little.] But surely there's a reason why it's here all of a sudden.

[He sighs.] It's a gift for me. From Bil.

How... thoughtful of him.

[Wait. Bil. Giant owl. There's the connection.] This is that owl?

It's been a few years, but it seems to be. [And the owl had tried to get his attention, which seemed to add credence to the belief. His eyes go back up to the bird as it shifts on the rooftop.] He apparently thought I would like it.

It's certainly a... unique gift. What are you going to do with him? He's not exactly the indoor type.

Keeping the owl fed so it won't attack domesticated animals or livestock is my priority. Figuring out where it will stay where it won't disturb anyone is another concern; the mountains seem to be the best place, considering there are now horse stables out east of the forest. [The horses being so close by could entice the owl to attack.] ...But if it has similar intelligence to Rune, this should be ... manageable.

You seem to have a way with them. Hopefully he won't try to perch in your hair, or else you'll have a bigger problem.

I would think it would be your problem instead, seeing as I would probably be unconscious due to many broken bones and you will likely be forced to act. [Oh, dark humor.]

You're only so lucky to have a live-in nurse. [Wryly. Despite not being able to do something about that arm. A still pressing concern.] Does your gift have a name yet?

I have not thought of one, no. Perhaps I will wait to see if it decides to react to a name, like Rune. [...Just as long as the giant owl doesn't start reacting to 'Rune,' too.] Honestly, I am surprised it is still here and not off flying around.

It could just be well trained. Or, do you think it recognizes you from back then? There probably aren't many places where it would have stayed.

It seems more likely it recognizes me than it is just following training of some kind, considering the broken window.

A source of comfort in an unfamiliar territory. I wonder if they have any sort of books for this in the library.

[He makes no reaction to that comment, though inwardly he does not like the implication of being a source of comfort to a bird.]

You are welcome to look.

[At long last, the owl seems to have decided it needs to perch elsewhere, and it spreads its wings to flutter back down to the backyard. This leads to Albert having to brace himself a little so he doesn't fall off of roof with the sudden gusts. The owl turns its head to look at them before picking at its feathers.]

I'll look when I - whoa!

[Albert isn't the only one affected by those gusts, though she crouches down for a moment to hold on to the raised skylight until the bird is safely on the ground, then just shakes her head.]

... I'll take a look when I go to research some other topics.

[He sighs faintly, rubbing at his left arm and frowning at the bird as it obliviously cleans itself.]

Very well. Take care climbing back down.

[He'll just ... stare at the bird a little longer.]

[She hadn't meant to leave, but it was chilly and she wasn't too prepared for standing out on the roof for too long.] I'll be fine. Will you be up here for a while yet?

[With the giant owl no longer on the roof, staying up there would only lead to potentially catching a cold. With one last wry look over at the owl, he replies.]

No. I should tend to the glass left in my room then deal with the bird awhile longer.

These windows have been broken far too often lately. [She shakes her head.] Still I imagine you both have some 'bonding' time ahead of you. I can take care of the glass, if you like.

[action]

chikaidestroyer - 2012-12-26 02:16 (UTC) - Expand

wise_maiden - 2012-12-26 13:51 (UTC) - Expand