002nd Forged Devil: Ever Exploring [Accidental Voice/Action]

[curseresistant]

[Hector's feed starts off with the sound of the river, of the breeze through the trees. The sound of Hector's voice soon filters in, soft and distant, as though not directly addressing the listeners.]

Yes, I know; t'is cold indeed. But soon, when the frost melts, you can enjoy the sky as much as you like.

[In response, there's... chirping? It seems Hector is talking to a small bird.]

Now, run along. Back to your nest, to your parents. T'would be a shame if they grew worried, would it not?

[Again, chirping in response, then the fluttering of wings as the little bird departs. The sound of Hector's boots draws nearer to the journal, crunching over bits of ice; it isn't long before the feed stops entirely, Hector finally realizing that it was open.]

[Later that day, Hector can be found grabbing a few things from the grocery store and the item shop: dried meats and fruits, a tinder box, some canteens, as well as a cloth bag to hold it all in. It seems he's preparing for a hike of some sort, judging by the sort of things he's gathering.]

[It isn't until the late evening that he decides to properly head out, filling up his canteens with river water before starting on his way back out the village. What his destination is, he doesn't yet know; but he does know that he's not going to stop until he's seen a good chunk of the area around the village.]

Comments

[relictusdeus]

'twould be such a shame, indeed. [He offers in a bored drawl.]

[curseresistant]

[Really starting to regret leaving that journal there.]

Hello to you too, Isaac. [Bracing himself for the inevtiable teasing.]

[relictusdeus]

[And he is getting to it, don't you worry.]

Confiding in animals again?

[The words are tinged with a note of patronizing amusement. He could understand the appeal, though - animals did not judge.]

How freely it seems you speak with them... a pity you are a perfectly clumsy, fumbling individual with your fellow man. [He lifts a glass of wine from a table off screen, shooting a sly, knowing look over the rim.] ...Or perhaps with me alone.

[curseresistant]

[Annnnnnd there it is. The world would end if Isaac were ever, heavens forbid, not willing to poke fun at something.]

[Hector sighs softly, regarding Isaac's feed with a sort of resigned look.]

Animals are far simpler to understand than men at times. And they certainly do not tease me for being, as you say, a fumbling individual with my fellow man.

[It's really a miracle that the two of them haven't been at each other's throats yet.]

[relictusdeus]

[He helps himself to a long swallow before thinking to reply, considering how often he would speak to Abel the nights he spent alone – although it never said a word in turn.]

...don't tell me I have hurt your delicate feelings. [Come now, Hector.]

[Voice]

[mountain_sage]

Hmm...so you bond with nature as well?

[Instant respect points earned.]

[Voice]

[curseresistant]

I have always been able to communicate with the creatures of nature.

The only difference is that here, they speak to more than just myself. [A laugh.]

[Voice]

[mountain_sage]

Oh, yes, our minds have been modified so that we can understand the different languages, even those of the wilderness creatures.

So I trust you have settled in well, sir...?

[It then occurs to him that he hasn't learned the man's name yet.]

[Voice]

[curseresistant]

I... figured as such. [Another laugh.]

Hector. My name is Hector.

[Voice]

[mountain_sage]

Hector...it's a pleasure to meet you.

[He then fumbles for a conversation. He's tempted to ask about Julia, but he fears that would bring up painful memories for both of them.]

voice;

[universal_charm]

Sooooo does the bird actually talk back or is it more of a one-sided thing?

voice;

[curseresistant]

The bird does talk back, yes.

Though I do not believe that these journals are able to transmit that.

Re: voice;

[universal_charm]

Yeah, sorry, all I get are the cheeps.

Can you talk to all the animals, or just the ones with feathers?

voice;

[curseresistant]

All of them, actually, though some are much more talkative than others... like dogs, for example. They simply cannot quiet down sometimes!

[Seriously, they get excited so easily...]

Re: voice;

[universal_charm]

Heh, well, that sort of suits them doesn't it? They don't seem the type to be quite, and I bet cats are pricks.

[action]

[savarin]

[Hey, Hector, guess who's shopping too? Red is! He's roaming the shelves, a large bag of jerky and a box of something called "Giubone" in his arms. He's about to pick up some vegetables when he pauses. This guy looks familiar.]

Hey, I remember you. Guessin' ya found everythin' ya needed. How're you likin' Luceti so far?

[action]

[curseresistant]

Oh, hello again!

[Hector hasn't seen you for... what. Two months now?]

[He needs to keep tabs on people.]

Luceti is a lot more accomodating than I thought it would be. I do not have a home in the apartments, but, I find that I am surprisingly comfortable in the surrounding woods. [He smiles warmly.]

I was planning on exploring more of the wilderness today. Did you want to join me, perhaps?

[action]

[savarin]

Can't blame ya. Campin' is pretty nice now and then.

[Apartments are good, but the forest here seems pretty peaceful. A good place for someone quiet to stay, Red thinks as he shifts the packages in his arms. He's picking up some soda as well.]

Sure, I'll join ya! I got nothin' else on my to-do list for today. Lemme get Dahak loaded up and I'm set!

[action]

[curseresistant]

Dahak? [Hector's expression shifts to one of mild interest.] What is that, exactly?

[action]

[savarin]

[Oh, you're the guy he had to explain apartments to. This is going to blow Hector's poor little mind. Red grins widely, motioning to the door.]

Just step outside and see for yourself!

[Red motions to Dahak - the seven-feet-tall giant metal beast parked outside the shop, looking for all the world like a canine iron golem. Or something of that nature.]

There he is! What do ya think?

[voice]

[250mhzwabl]

[Huh. A world with at least one Disney princess, and the first person Jack has heard talking to a bird is . . . a man. Score one for trope inversion, he supposes.]

Now you have me curious. What do birds talk about besides the weather?

[voice]

[curseresistant]

Mostly that, actually.

[He laughs somewhat nervously.]

Though that one in particular was rather impatient. It simply could not wait for the spring, you see, so it wished to fly to pass the time.

[voice]

[250mhzwabl]

[Oh god, that's just . . . cute. Bizarre, but cute.]

I suppose if all else fails they can always . . . you know, migrate. Though I've never heard if animals can cross the barrier or not.

[voice]

[curseresistant]

Nor have I. It would be quite a confusing thing if animals could leave as they pleased, but we could not.

I wonder if there are others that have already observed these things?

[voice]

[250mhzwabl]

I haven't heard of anything, but I've only been here two months. [He pauses, then continues, voice slightly hesitant.] I don't suppose you could just ask some birds yourself? Seeing as you're on such friendly terms.