[open] if you're the bird, whenever we pretend it's summer

[deathfindsaway]

Who: Kravitz and you!
What: Ren has so graciously gifted Kravitz a new pet, and he is very, very excited about it.
When: Backdated to January 15th
Where: Starting at Elf Camp and then around Enso's shoreline
Warnings: Should be good!

i. [closed to ren, elf camp] you and i left our troubles far behind

[The thing about this plan is that Kravitz was not informed it was even a plan.

When Ren so innocently asked him about birds he liked over a month ago at the petting zoo, Kravitz had truly thought nothing of it. He's spoken about ravens before, and Ren ends up intent on the strangest things- it would be a lot to keep track of if he tried to record everything she's ever done. So the morning it Happens, he's peacefully sleeping away in the main tent of elf camp, none the wiser for what's about to go down.

Good luck, Ren. Or really, good luck Kravitz, in holding his own shit together.]

ii. [open, enso's shores] but i still have just one more question on my mind

[He had no idea this was even going to work, but now that it has, Kravitz is intent on testing the new bird out. He can be found along the shoreline of Enso, a large black bird on his shoulder that Kravitz seems to be talking to. It, on the other hand, is looking very intently at his closed fist at his chest.]

Okay, Lieutenant Pepper, we're going to go over this again. I'm going to throw this, and you're going to bring it back, and if you do-- without swallowing it-- you can have a treat. Okay? Good.

[The arm that has the bird on it produces a rock, which he tosses underhand away from him.]

Go on! Get it, bring it back--

[Yes. He's teaching a bird to play fetch. This is exactly what's happening here.]

Comments

i

[catpiper]

[It's a good thing she has some prior experience with birds-ravens, specifically. They were Kravitz's dream all those months ago and she recalls how they seemed to perk up at the kernels of popcorn she had in her pockets.

So she's prepared, little bits and pieces of stuff in her grubby hands. It's just that birds are weird. Keeping Hot Boi quiet is a challenge and since it's a challenge, she doesn't spend a lot of time of on it. Moving Lobstar's little area in front if it is probably enough. They can chat about jailbreak plans or something-squawk at that instead!! At least her cats are being cooperative, even if they're keeping their poofy tailed distance. It's fine. She's got this. The raven won't let her pick it up and that's whatever. Animal tamer Ren isn't even gonna roll for it.

After a few practice tosses to make sure the raven likes These Treats, she takes out her slingshot, shoves a handful of crumbs into it and-

Lets it soar. The crumbs make a short path to the tent and if her aim is correct, a couple pieces should hit Kravitz's head or at the very least make it to his blanket.

Go little raven!! Go see your dad. Fly to him.]

[deathfindsaway]

[She does have the right idea- they're food motivated, for sure, even if there's no possible way it will let Ren grab her with her hands. That said, Kravitz has spent many a day ignoring Hot Boi's screaming, so he's sleeping right through the thing. What does shake him awake though is a smattering of-- dirt, perhaps? And he reaches up to idly wipe off whatever's on his face.

What he doesn't expect is a few seconds later there's bird feet on him and a beak pecking him in the cheekbone.

Kravitz shrieks, flailing his arms in the air and getting met with some screaming from the bird, sits up with a jolt. His hair is everywhere, there's still crumbs around, and he has no idea what's going on, until his eyes focus on the puffed-up raven standing on the floor of the tent. He blinks, utterly dumbfounded in his confusion.]

I-- m-my Lady, is-- are you here?

[A raven appearing must be a sign she's found him, isn't it? Maybe? Or--

It squawks at him again, and he just reaches up to brush his hair back.]

How... did you get here...?

[catpiper]

[There's screaming and somehow, despite being the creator of this terrible plan, it shocks her into hiding the slingshot behind her back. Who caused screaming?? Not her?? Probably not. It's fine.

She waits until things Settle Down before inching forward to the tent.]

Lup's still the only lady here, but I think if you talk to that thing a lot, the Raven Queen will still feel your heart.

[Sorry Krav, it's the bird not the god, but it's the thought that counts.

The closer she gets, the lower to the ground she goes, until she's slowly moving into the tent on her hands and knees. She doesn't wanna spook The Bird, but she hasn't really gotten a chance to get up close and personal with it either. It's too hard to deal with animals that aren't cats.]

But the Storyteller found this bird-they did a good job. So you have to say 'thank you' to them.

[deathfindsaway]

[He's still just deeply baffled as he hears Ren coming in, the raven hopping across the floor towards him. It's not long before it's pecking at the bits of crumbs that have fallen off the bed onto the floor, ignoring Ren as she comes closer. There's food here, so like, this weird girl can chill in it's vicinity. Kravitz blinks once or twice, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes before he can sputter out a response.]

Ren, did you spend favors on this?

[He can't be mad, nothing in him can be mad, his heart is swelling full of love how can he be mad.]

Darling, I told you you didn't have to.

[He says, still reaching for this bird because bird bird bird bird.]

[catpiper]

[No, she didn't have to, but how could she not? Out of the corner of her eye, she can see Egg and Esp peering tentatively into the tent, puffing and poofing at this loud intruder pecking around. An image only made possible because of Kravitz's contribution to her cat collective.

She stretches her fingers out to wiggle at the kitties, finding it impossible to get their attention off the shiny black bird. That's fine. Whatever.]

Does it make you happy? To see this bird again?

[Not that she needs much verbal confirmation when he's reaching for the creature like that. Get it, Uncle Krav. She's gonna sit off to the side and enjoy the show, wrapping her arms around her knees and tip, tap, tapping away with her feet.

Never mind she literally flung food and sicked the bird on him, essentially. That's fine too. It's not important how he woke up, just how he spends the day.]

Does it have a name?

[deathfindsaway]

[She's doing her best and he's proud of her. She curls up as the bird hops about, seeming to ignore the cats milling around her vicinity. Kravitz, meanwhile, is also ignoring the cats, because bird is here. He shifts in bed, causing her to hop backwards, and then stops very still before cautiously patting his lap.

It doesn't do exactly what he wants, but it does shake some of the seed up there, and she creeps closer. He gathers a bit up in his hand and drops it right in front of her, and when she seems content, he reaches down to smooth the feathers on the top of her head. He looks like he's in love.]

Well, I... I doubt these are mine, exactly. But she looks just like Lieutenant Pepper.

[Welcome, Ren, to the depths of how much of a dork Kravitz is. It's a hell of a discovery and it only cost one bird. Amazing.]

[catpiper]

[The love for his bird rivals her adoration for cats. She definitely understands this kind of dorky affection and seems to content to simply watch him work with the creature. Ravens are a little different than phoenixes.]

Lieutenant Pepper.

[That sure is a long name. A little different than Egg. It's gonna take her a few hot seconds to remember that and using her tried and true method of repeat, repeat, repeat, she says the bird's name under her breath a few times.]

It might be-

[Did he always have that seed on his person??? Just waiting for birds to show up?? She should've done this sooner.]

Lieutenant Pepper's aunt? [Pause] Lieutenant Pepper Lup?

[deathfindsaway]

[You can call her Pepper, Ren, it's fine. And listen, Taako is sleeping nearby, and we all know his pockets are a void of everything you will ever need. For now, he uses it to his convenience.]

Hmm, more like a copy, I think. Perhaps the Storyteller took to my memories for inspiration.

[She was one of his favorites anyway. He clicks his tongue a few times, mentally commanding her to come to his hand, and while that doesn't perfectly work she does hop closer and touch his finger with her beak. He barely holds in a squeal.]

Also, please inform Lup if you see her she's mine, I don't want a repeat of the owl incident.

[Aka when Hot Boi tried to set Merle's owl ablaze when he left and Kravitz resolved to get that poor thing out of camp as soon as possible.]

[catpiper]

[Did you hear that?? Taako?? Because she's leaning alllll the way across the tent, stretching her arms as far as she can to to tap, tap, tap the side of his face, right by his pointy ear. She knows he heard. Tell Lup, in case she's busy living her cat lady dreams.

And then she pulls herself back like a human slinky, bringing her legs back up to her chest and wiggling her fingers at the raven.]

I will, I will. [And then, the most important q of all-] Can I pet her? Can I do that?

ii.

[postictal]

[Tim's on his way to Denny, passing along the beach area, when he notes the presence of someone out on the sands. Kravitz's silhouette is unmistakable, but that's not what catches his attention.]

[It's the bird on his shoulder.]

[Despite himself, Tim stops, watches for half a minute, trying to fight a wave of something almost like amusement that threatens to claw up to the back of his throat.]

[He clears it instead.]

New pet?

[deathfindsaway]

[He tilts his head when Tim speaks, the bird hopping off his shoulder and sort of twittering around his feet. Kravitz looks down like one would look at a misbehaving cat.]

I told you, no more treats until you get the rock, you're learning.

[He looks up again to address Tim, a little happier than he's been in recent months.]

Yes, I... mentioned to Ren I was missing my ravens from back home, and it seems she took it upon herself. This is Lieutenant Pepper.

[Said Lieutenant Pepper is doing little hops around the beach, pecking in the ground for clams. Kravitz looks so proud.]

[postictal]

[The guy likes ravens. It would be easier to kind of resent him, if he didn't have a proven soft spot for the birds, but...well, guess that'll have to be one thing that Tim can't reasonably hold against him. What a shame.]

She does that. Gives things to people.

[It's about all she seems to do, at times.]

How's learning going?

[deathfindsaway]

[Who can hold a love of birds against anyone. They're birds and they're absolutely wonderful. Sorry, Tim, but even guys who are jerks have redeeming qualities, like their affections for large, screaming avians.]

Yes, I've... tried to give her gifts in the past, which I think spurs her on to just give me things harder.

[But Tim asks that and he kind of gazes down at Pepper, who is still trying to drag things out of the sand. She looks up at them and screams once.]

It's going, all right. She's receptive, but it's certainly difficult training one from the ground up. Back at home I didn't have to worry about teaching my ravens their tricks. But I suppose I have time now.

[postictal]

They're smart birds.

[He has a fondness for them, crows. Maybe it's the fact that they're generally regarded as bad omens, as scavengers, as heralds for death and the like, and Tim can't help but relate on some level. Maybe it's that they're easily one of the smartest creatures nature has to offer.]

[Or maybe they just represent that which he could never have, while stuck in a hospital room - back when he was allowed one with a window - and fantasizing about having a sort of freedom that he would never be allowed.]

They understand the reward system, anyway.

[deathfindsaway]

[Considering Kravitz is typically the bad omen, he fits right in with the lot of them. Sometimes it's nice, to revel in that association. To have a place, albiet a morbid one.]

Yes, they do. As long as you have something they want, and they can't find a faster way to get it from you. This one--

[He gives a pointed glance to the raven, who proceeds to hop over to him and look at his still closed fist.]

Has caught on very quickly as to where I keep her treats. But she's learning. I haven't had her here very long.

[postictal]

[He'd say - hey, guess you took his advice. But he's pretty sure that he doesn't deserve even vague credit for that, particularly when Ren was the one to ask for the damn bird in the first place.]

You gonna train her to run messages for you, or something?

[Not sure what you'd train a raven to do, but hey. What's he know.]

[deathfindsaway]

[He doesn't, frankly. He was thinking about something else to occupy his time, but this is as good as any for now, so.]

I was, actually. We have plenty of opportunities where long distance communication is limited, and I was hoping she could be of some use.

[Back home, he used his ravens for scouting- he could see through their eyes, get the lay of the land. That... isn't quite going to happen here, but that doesn't mean she can't help.]

They mimic human speech quite well, as well. Not enough to deliver a message, I think, but enough to be a possible distraction in combat.

[want_to_belong]

[There was one more new sight - that is, Prompto riding his chocobo. Now that Coco was full-grown and he was starting to train him as a mount, he was just starting to take him out for casual rides in order to gain experience, and what better than the beach for a morning stroll?

When he saw Kravitz he rode towards him curiously. There was still some sloppiness in his control - Coco was still getting used to his new role - but he made it over and pulled to a stop a few feet away.]

Hey, Kravitz! What's up? What kind of bird is that?

[deathfindsaway]

[He's not pulled out of it until Prompto speaks, looking over to the other man with a smile.]

I could ask you the same-- was it you who had these at Laurent's party?

[But the bird at his feet yells again, and he looks down at her like she's not being very polite.]

And this is a raven. My raven, er, for now. Ren... heard I was missing some familiars from home, and took it upon herself.

[want_to_belong]

Guilty as charged. Me 'n the guys got chocobo eggs so that we'd have something to ride eventually.

[Prompto had, of course, gotten his first, after Ardyn. So he had an adult now.]

So it's a raven? Cool. [He carefully slipped off the side of Coco onto the ground, walking over to squat in front of the bird.] Are they a bird of prey?

[deathfindsaway]

[He kind of knows what a chocobo is, but only because he's staring at one. But it's nice to see other bird lovers around the island, and just to placate her, he drops another few seeds for her to fish out of the sand.]

No, not especially. They're mostly scavengers. But they'll eat a wide array of items and are very easily trainable. I'm hoping to be able to get her to send messages if things get tough again, but that's going to require her learning a lot of faces and commands.

[want_to_belong]

Seriously? Must be a smart bird.

[Of course they varied in intelligence back home, too, but any of them that could be trained had to be high up on the intelligence scale.

Prompto squatted down by the bird, watching it curiously.]

Hey there. I'm Prompto. You should learn my face first.

[deathfindsaway]

[Pepper's busy at first picking out the bits of food Kravitz had dropped, but when Prompto gets close she hops back a few steps, tilting her head back and forth as she seems to survey him. Kravitz takes the time to lean over and do a stage whisper, as if Pepper could possibly understand them.]

I find it helps if you have a little something to give her. She's very food-motivated. Or occasionally something she likes to hold.

[As if to add onto this, Pepper lets out a little expectant chirp.]

[want_to_belong]

Hmm. Stuff I give to Coco is probably a bit big for her.

[But he glanced back, and did dig out a small cabbage-like leafy green. Which was about the size of the bird, so he tore off a small piece and toss it on the ground in front of himself.]

You like greens, buddy?

[deathfindsaway]

[The raven seems to be interested in anything that'll be handed to it, but looks a little wary of Prompto's fingers. After a few seconds, she'll approach and peck it off the ground.]

They're scavengers so, ah, they'll eat just about anything. Their favorites are meats and grains, but I don't think she'll complain about a gift.

[Just to punctuate that, she finishes off the bit of leaf and then caws right at Prompto. Subtle.]