Likely on his way to exitvoid . . .

[oyakodon]

As unpleasant as this place sounds, you know I have no objections; on the contrary, I'm certain Bon needs me there more than ever at this point.

Besides, what other chance will I have to watch humanity up close? From what I've heard, I doubt I'll be the most unusual creature on this strange little island, so I'll be able to learn a great deal that I would never be capable of back home. There are quite a few benefits, aren't there?

And really, Bon's hair must be an absolute mess by now.

Comments

[oyakodon]

[ Oh dear. Yes, he does loom, no matter how accidental it may be. To try and cut less of an imposing figure he kneels down, folding his wings in close to his back. ]

Hello there. Don't worry, I will not harm you.

[muet]

[ Reassured by his actions and composure, Nill stood a little straighter. The wings lifted on her back as she gathered her strength to try again.

'Hello'.

She mouths. This time a little more confident about her silent salutation. ]

[oyakodon]

[ He notices the wings with curious surprise, tilting his head. ]

Oh, my -- those are some very lovely wings you have there, young lady. May I have a look at them?

[hiwa]

Hey, don't go touching her! [OH SURPRISE!!! Somewhere there is an au where Hiwa and Nill know each other AND HE DOESN'T LIKE HOW CLOSE YOU ARE TO HER you giant pouf!]

[muet]

[ Ah.

Nill touches Hiwa's shoulder gently.

H-He seems to be a nice, fluffy giant pouf though...? ]

[oyakodon]

[ Oh.

Oh, there are two feathered bitties here, right now, right before his eyes. He is absolutely tickled pink. Easing back on his haunches, he beams at the both of them and resists the urge to scoop the pair up and settle to roost here and now. ]

My goodness, you are a very good protector, aren't you! ♥ Fear not, I will keep my distance!

[hiwa]

[He spares a glance back at Nill, very obviously saying I don't trust anybody who's taller than me before glowering at the giant tengu.]

What's wrong with you? You sound like somebody's weird uncle.

[muet]

[ I-I don't think he can help it...

Feathers ruffle. ]

[oyakodon]

[ He clearly doesn't get the "weird uncle" comment, simply continuing to try and stay as small and unimposing as possible, wings folded in tight. ]

Forgive me, I don't often have the opportunity to encounter children. [ Particularly one with wings and one that will grow up to create him someday. ] I merely wished to say hello!

[hiwa]

[He squeezes his hands into fists and then reaches out and closes one (gingerly) around Nill's fingers.] Well, she doesn't hate you, so I guess you don't have to go away yet if you don't want to.

[muet]

[ Nill smiles, gently squeezing Hiwa's hand, glad that he was lightening up a little toward the very fluffy stranger.

She gestures to the "weird uncle" with a slight nod.

Stay. ]

[oyakodon]

Well, then I suppose I will stay.

[ He remains where he is, shifting to sit on the floor so he can stay at least close to eye level with the pair. He does finally allow his wings to relax, mostly because they're getting a wee bit cramped; they spread out behind him to keep from adding to his bulk, relaxing against the ground. ]

Thank you both for being so kind as to speak with me.

[hiwa]

Weird. [Hiwa repeats, and turns to look at Nill, ignoring Utsubushi and talking like he couldn't hear them.] This guy is made up out of leftover pieces of other souls and stuck together to make a single person. He's kind of like a robot. [A beat.] I don't know why they made him so big, though.

[muet]

[ Nill pauses, digesting his words. In her world it was possible to stick pieces of people and other parts together...but the soul? That wasn't something you could sew together, let alone touch.

He seemed much more livelier than a robot and had a personality.

Her hand is twined around Hiwa's but she directs her question to the stranger. Mouthing a single word.

'Name?' ]

[oyakodon]

[ Well, it's not an entirely inaccurate explanation, though he really has no idea what a "robot" is. He watches Nill closely so he can make out what she mouths to him, cocking his head to one side. ]

My name is Utsubushi. A man named Bonten created me -- and he made me big so I would be able to carry people when we need to go places.

[ His wings lift and expand to show their full span, which is indeed quite impressive. ]

You see?

[hiwa]

So basically you're a fat packmule? [Hiwa's own wings rustle in response. It's not like he felt vaguely inadequate or anything! His wings were perfectly in proportion to the rest of his body!!! This Utsubushi guy wasn't cute OR interesting. Really, the only reason Nill was interested was because she'd never seen anything like him before. Like a clown or something.] That Bonten guy must be fat and lazy.

[muet]

[ Clowns were frightening. Utsubushi was certainly more pleasant. He didn't look as scary and he was simply big.

Nill was kind of in awe.

Her wings fluffed up, but it her small wings could do little in comparison. She had come to accept them but it was still disappointing that she couldn't fly. ]

[oyakodon]

Fat pa-?!

[ He offers Hiwa a vaguely sour look, crossing his arms over his chest. ]

I can tell you that he was awfully bratty when he was a child...

[ That's muttered under his breath more than anything else. At least Nill is pleasant company! He cranes his head to peer at her with a smile, relaxing his own wings once again. ]

Your wings are very lovely, young lady! I think they're the perfect size. Far better than mine!

[hiwa]

Of course her wings are perfect! [HE SNAPS! feeling defensive.] She's leagues above somebody like you. [Careful to not crush her delicate handbones, Hiwa squeezes her palm. This Utsubushi is too friendly -- he's like a stupid version of Byakuroku, and that automatically rankles him.]

[muet]

[ Feathers ruffle and Nill hides behind Hiwa, embarrassed by such compliments when she clearly thought differently about the matter.

She didn't think this was a topic she could win.

Y-You two are being silly! ]

[oyakodon]

[ Children can be awfully complicated, can't they? Not that Hiwa is too different from Bonten, honestly; he's just a younger, more petulant version of him. (Which sure says a lot about Bonten.) Deciding not to dignify the bratty display with a response, he tilts his head at Nill instead. ]

Perhaps it would be easier if I were smaller?

[ And a moment later, with a misting puff of smoke, he is indeed just that. Still quite large for a bird - most would have trouble supporting the condor-like creature on their arm - but no longer the seven feet of size they were dealing with before. ]

[hiwa]

Showoff. [Hiwa is not impressed.]

You're still just an annoying, fat bird. [He hunches his shoulders and looks away, folding his wings close to his back in irritation.

And then to Nill,] You can probably pet him if you want.

[muet]

[ Oh.

Yes, that was most definitely less scary.

She still wasn't quite sure why Hiwa had his feathers all up in a bunch about this matter. Utsubushi seemed perfectly kind and thoughtful. Those weren't qualities that normally were considered irritating.

A-Ah...was it really ok...to...? ]