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Post by Kristofor on May 17, 2024 4:55:19 GMT -6
Spurned on by the interest in said 'glass', Kristofor stows the item away again, beneath the baby bird, explaining he doesn't quite remember 'who' gave him the orb. The handler's expression pinches a bit. "Its not the present gossip when I head out into town but fair few months back, that cat was making quite a stir and several humans came here, towing said orb. Whatever spell Master had cast on the estate, whatever makes it change, that orb makes it unstable. Changes every few...yep, there it goes." The darkness pressing in on the two of them lifts with the previously heard 'slurping' sound happening again, and a strong western sunlight heats their heads and shoulders. Like high noon on the beach. Looking down, his sneakers are sinking into sandy dirt. A slight pull in order to free his feet, and the whole yard is a sandy outcropping. He hears water rushing in the background. The baby bird squeaks? before ducking back into the folds of his sling, suddenly fearful again. Surprises. 15
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Post by Kristofor on May 17, 2024 5:03:29 GMT -6
Why hadn't their master complained on the unstableness of his estate when people were coming in, he has to ask. The answer seems a bit...scripted, or he might be reading a bit too closely. The city isn't supposed to know theres even been an enchantment cast on the estate. Magic is rare and expensive to come across. Those who have it are another stepping stone in society to those who do not. But those who run the City don't want magic everywhere. Ah. It makes sense now to keep this quiet. 'I will not tell, but that cat shouldn't have done this.' He gestures at the orb. Which, now that he no longer hears a slurping sound, must be changing its form or something. 'Different?' he asks the sling. The sounds of scraping claw on glass, the tap tap of a pecking beak. A pippeep of something. He doesn't expect the baby bird to be able to communicate something like that to him. 16
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Post by Kristofor on May 17, 2024 5:09:29 GMT -6
The handler declines knowing further, they aren't paid to ask questions. Taking their hat off, pushing bleached blonde locks back off a sweating forehead before replacing the straw accessory. Beckons them to follow out ot the stables for a drink. The heat will dehydrate them faster if they stay put. A nod; he'd rather not be standing by the gate constantly. Stables aren't that far off from the gate really. Only a handful of strides...if he figureatively held those strides in both hands. "With th't around, I dont' doubt the weather will change again." Kristofor gratefully takes a waterskin, Draining half of it. A few caps of water are put out. "I saw your baby bird there. Probably is getting thirsty, warmin' up against you and that. Let 'em out on the table, its plenty big." Why not. Carefully, the fox removes the big footed baby bird from out of his sling, and inspects the orb. Yes, it was fogging up, slowly. Water! Until a few drops are dripped experimentally on its beak, the baby bird hadn't had the 'switch' go off internally on thirst. How it was! 17
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Post by Kristofor on May 17, 2024 5:14:11 GMT -6
'What is this bird? I was sold an owl egg, but this is not an owl.' the fox looks puzzled while watching the baby bird stumble forward to start gulping cap after cap of water. Dipping and bobbing its head to drink. Like watching Cabernet, really. The handler watches the fluffy chick for a few minutes, taking note of the stiff looking feather quills tight to its skull and the fluffy long tail, along with the big feet. Slightly hooked beak, but looked like a fluffball. "Thats a chiryma, friend. Really far course from an owl." They go on to explain that chiryma have been a staple of this city's animal population for a long time, although he hadn't seen this 'breed' in a long time. They really hook into someone's emotional state, and are very difficult to catch off guard, once adults of course. This one's just hatched? A nod. yes, just hatched. The 'slurping sound' starts up again, like hearing a bath draining. 18
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Post by Kristofor on May 17, 2024 5:18:59 GMT -6
The overhang, which was driftwood just now...is no longer. Its like the outcropping of a cave's sheer cliff. "Whoa friend, don't go looking over the edge now. It'll pass, I think." The handler cries out, their hand grabbing Kristofor's satchel strap as he tries to lean out from his sitting place to see if the floor really does end. And ...thats a drop all right. "The month of the binder is dedicated for dragons; and they like caves. So once you get under any sort of roof, it goes cave mode." Ah. So thats why nothing looked different from the outside. Had to actually get under cover. A billowing of air rockets up from the floor just outside of the outcropping, like an updraft in a giant canyon. And also why they keep several thick planks of wood handy to make a faux bridge to the 'main yard'. Repointe aren't fond of heights, he should remember that. The baby bird is too busy finishing its final cap of water to notice the change around them, but the fox's slight bristle of surprise and mild discomfort isnt' missed. 19
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Post by Kristofor on May 17, 2024 5:23:50 GMT -6
They go on to ask on Suffolk and his state. Oh, this was the one who had given him Suffolk's egg, right? Kristofor explains that Suffolk was old enough to grow a massive set of antlers, although they still seemed to be growing. A big smile blooms. That he was definitely gonna take after Bristol. Was Bristol his sire? He's encouraged to bring Suffolk back for a visit to meet his parents again. Seems rather keen to see the grown state of the egg they'd passed on to him, on masters orders of course. The updraft angles just enough on its second coming to ruffle Kristofor's fur, sending the blonde strands goign EVERYWHERE. 'I'm sorry...shedding.' And it just never stays put. Just one drag through across the slightly thinner fur on his forearm and his hand has several light strands. Letting them drift away on the wind as it seems ot pull back in. Nah nah, it was fine, jsut a surprise. The repointe shed at this time of year too. So shedding, even for baby birds, is totally normal. Once its bigger of course. 20
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Post by Kristofor on May 18, 2024 3:24:51 GMT -6
As if on cue now, the 'bath draining' slurping sound starts up again, and the world shifts while Kristofor braces himself with the table. Its greening over as he speaks, the nooks and crannies between the wood coming alive with bits of moss, a scent of pumpkin and apple pies wafting through the air like a beckoning siren... oooh his nose is tempt- "Whoawhoawhoa, chill friend. House's playing a trick on you." Kristofor blinks, pulled into reality again. The handler's smile is worried now, a gloved hand on his arm. Its a bit tight. A grunt of disomfort and they realize whats happened, releasing him. "Sorry, sorry. Don't know me own strength." Kristofor gives them a look, massaging his upper arm. "Nobody on this estate can bake a pie. Its the one dessert nobody has succeeded on. I speak from experience and tasting them all." 'Wait, really. Nobody can bake a pie. Its... really easy.' A shrug. Pulled from the olfactory illusion himself, he can see the aforementioned chiryma sniff the air experimentally, but blocks its way off the table. 21
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Post by Kristofor on May 18, 2024 3:31:01 GMT -6
They grin; its so stupid; but thats the one skill the masters staff has no experience on, or failed drastically. Outside of the shade of the returned roof, he can see the leaning weight of several loaded apple trees, the fruit so delectable and heavy that it pulls the tree closer to the ground, such strength of trunk it possesses. "And thats why if you ever smell pie around here, the house is looking to play another trick." Huh. Well good ot know where not to buy a pie from then. Wind picks up, carrying the scent of pumpkins, apples and more pie, twirling around them like some sort of olfactory being. Snif snifffff... oh that does smell good. "They could be still warm, I smell hints of ginger apple snaps." Puzzled, they both smell the air. The clear tempting.... "I just smell pie. Think the house tailors its scent individually. Seriously, don't move. I think its gonna change-" Slurrrrrrp Peep! No longer is the chiryma enamored with the caps on the table, all empty now, but the table must be changing because it runs and bumps beaklong into his back. 22
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Post by Kristofor on May 18, 2024 3:37:22 GMT -6
Ow. The fox turns around, gathering the frightened baby bird into his palms as the table is literally icing over before their eyes, freezing the caps in place, and such. Snow is falling just outside of the overhang, which holds a warm candlelight glow from floating candles above their heads, melting arm length stalagtites. Bits of light can be seen here or there in the gloom of the falling snow; were they lanterns in the barren trees? Again, running into an outstretched arm from the estate's repointe handler. "Just....just hold tight. Somethign ain't right here." Gone is their hunky dory excitement over meeting the fox again, but a serious silence. Eyes scanning the outer ring... Until they seize a thick disc of ice, was that once a stool? and frisbee throws it out of noplace, forcing the fox to duck and cover his ears to his skull, pulling the chiryma to his chest. Something crashes along with the disc, and a scream of impatience, yelling something Kristofor can't hear, retreating faint footsteps. PIPEEPPEEPPEEPPEEP! Panicked peeps can be heard with the chill to its feet. 23
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Post by Kristofor on May 18, 2024 3:42:11 GMT -6
He's told not to mind that, theres an intruder who seems to completely be bypassing the gate and the house magic is just happy to start messing with them as much as throwing things to get them to leave. Next time would be something more serious then a disc of ice. Uh... "don't worry about it. Is that stupid orb filled out yet?" Oh, he's still got that on him, don't he. Digging the orb out of his satchel, the scraped surface has a few peck attempts but it just glided off, a little brush of brown color against its fogged appearance. Theres a bit right at the top that hasn't filled out yet. Well at least its almost finished. -slurrrping sounds commence Once more, an updraft of wind ruffles their bodies, as the earth splits apart with no change of look at all, just poof, and he's in a cave situation again. "Is this the normal month now?" Mmm... the handler thinks for a few then nods. Binder month is proper month. And the orb appears finally full. "Thank light." they both think out loud. The fox stows his orb, his chiryma and such into his satchel. 24
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Post by Kristofor on May 18, 2024 3:47:48 GMT -6
Two thick wooden boards land on the ground before him, slightly adjusted by the handler like this is a completely normal part of their day. He's escorted across with the guarantee he won't fall, or will be grabbed. These boards are guaranteed to take the weight of an entire two repointe carriage, the repointe pulling and the carriage goers. Would he come back soon? They want to meet Suffolk again. He makes no promises as sometimes work does interfere but yes, he would try to come back and visit in the futrre and bring the repointe with him. The chiryma's no chopped liver in the situation, it sighs against his chest, settling down to rest at last. Dark and warm like an egg but hear fox heart. Fox heart quiet and good. Picking his way out of the mansion grounds, whatever breath he felt himself holding can be released once across those boards. Nope, he's no fan of heights either. Cliff heights. Outside he meets the cat who he hadn't quite- 'you' he growls, the edge of his muzzle lifting to show teeth. 'Warn someone before you give something like this'. Brandishing the orb. Which is swiped from him and examined. "It gave you something to do, right?" The bared teeth show a little less because...yes, thats right. It DID give him something to do. "Payments in the post." 25 -fin +5 chiryma, +1 Kristofor
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