IC Inbox: cerealia

[shacklebreaker]

"You've reached Simon Blackquill. Leave a message if you are so inclined -- but be brief."

[ AUDIO | VIDEO | TEXT ]

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Text. -> Action.

[shacklebreaker]

That will suit me.

[And Blackquill will be there long before their appointed time, because any excuse to spend quality time with Taka is as good as any.

... Though Taka's nowhere to be seen from where Blackquill is sitting on a bench, waiting patiently. If Rei looks up, though, she might make out the distant silhouette of a hawk circling overhead.]

[faithfulflame]

[Rei arrives a few minutes before the appointed time, and isn't at all surprised to see Simon there, sitting down, Or Taka wheeling in the sky.

She herself approaches with two huge crows on her shoulders, standing sentinel as she walks. They shift slightly when she raises a hand in greeting, their own heads bobbing in what might be a curtsy]

Good afternoon, Simon-san. I hope we didn't have you waiting too terribly long. I had to finish up at the office.

[shacklebreaker]

[Has anyone seen Blackquill get to his feet so fast? Because as soon as he spots Rei, he does, although it's not her he's excited to see.]

Not at all. [He offers Rei a little formal bow of the head, which is as much restraint as he can muster before he steps closer to look at the two crows.]

What magnificent creatures... Wherever did you find them?

[faithfulflame]

[Well having a big, tall samurai wannabe in her personal space is a little bit weird, but he seems so excited. Holding out her hands, she smiles awkwardly and the two birds hop down her arm to rest on her wrists. Dark eyes glitter with intelligence as they take him in.]

I asked for them through ViViD. They're my two oldest friends. Phobos and Deimos. Corvus Japonensis, Japanese Jungle Crows. I thought you might be interested in knowing there are other birds in the colony.

[shacklebreaker]

Named after the moons of Mars, or after the horses of Ares from Greek mythology?

[His close association with a space centre back home means Blackquill knows a thing or two about astrology. It's interesting she should pick such names for them instead of Japanese names, though.

He extends an arm, as if reaching to touch Phobos, but hesitates and looks towards Rei. They might be wary of strangers, after all.]

May I?

[faithfulflame]

Are not Mars and Ares one and the same in Rome? I didn't name them. They told me their names when I was a child.

[Psychic birds, a psychic child. And Simon might find the two birds craning towards him. Chirping cheerfully, they look up, expectant.]

They like you already, so of course. They're fond of people, and...I get a sense that they know you're interested in birds.

[shacklebreaker]

Certainly they are, just as Athena of Greece and Minerva of Rome are the same. But I speak of the planet as distinct from the god.

[He'll give them both headscritches, not even bothering to hide his delight. Few things make Blackquill happy, but at least birds are one of the few exceptions. He won't call Taka down just yet, though; he wants to be sure they're familiar with him before he risks scaring them with a bird of prey.]

You said they told you their names? I hope you were speaking metaphorically.

[faithfulflame]

I know what you meant, but in this case? It's both. The moons were named for Mars's horses.

[Headscritches are absolutely appreciated. They nuzzled against his fingers, clearly pleased to be the subject of attention. Rei too, seems quite happy with this, since Simon is not someone she's ever seen smile.]

I mean it in a literal sense. Or did you forget that I am not exactly normal? I've always had a psychic link to them, and we can share feelings and impressions.