✘ ᴛʜᴇ boy least likely to。proportionedApril 29 2011, 20:21:41 UTC
[ The first thing Ariadne did when she woke up this morning was check the network since, invariably, this seems the easiest way to determine whether or not there's a curse around. And surely enough, there'd be proof of it all over (moreso from the vantage point of her bedroom window, looking out at the cathedral and the square beyond). There was, of course, no other explanation for it. Six birds, all quetzals of various sizes and brightness of plumage, all tethered to her wrist by way of rough butcher-type twine like an unruly squadron of balloons. Unlike other, perhaps more unfortunate people, Ariadne's birds are connected by long lead lines which means they're not literally in her hair. On the flip side, this gives them more or less run of any room that they're in so Ariadne has taken to picking up a lot of the slack with her hand, giving the birds a few feet at best.
There is one particular bird, however, that seems partial to her and has a penchant for trying to perch on Ariadne's arm. It gives a discontent flap of its wings but remains silent as Ariadne shushes the rest of them -- with a modicum of success. ]
Six, [ she eventually tells Arthur. ] All quetzals. [ a beat. ] I'm pretty sure two of them are trying to kill each other. Or breed.
✘ ᴛʜᴇ boy least likely to。specificsApril 29 2011, 20:56:47 UTC
[ Pancake barks, well it's more like a yip all things considered, but he seems genuinely conflicted over how comfortable it is to remain where he is or to go tearing off down the hall toward the not-so-melodious din over yonder. Arthur himself considers venturing forth and then thinks better of it both for his sake and, really, not wanting to incite any protectiveness he hasn't already.
Besides, six is...a lot and Arthur, not being sure of the size of said birds, has some misgivings concerning how the odds are stacked should Round One Unofficial Pancake Versus Quetzal end up starting anyway. Said corgi climbs out of his arms only to walk to the end of the couch and walk back to him, which Arthur feels as Pancake nudges against his elbow. He blinks sightlessly at the reply however, brow arched. ]
I guess the bright side is if it's the first, that's two less birds to listen to all day and if it's the second, then they're not going to be around long enough for it to matter.
✘ ᴛʜᴇ boy least likely to。shiftsApril 29 2011, 21:08:25 UTC
[ The knob jiggles as Eames fiddles with the front door's lock, and it takes some time before it gives out under the turn of the key. What Eames isn't expecting to open the door to, though, is a cacophony of animals - between the singing birds and the occasionally yipping dog. Pancake turns his tiny head to look at him, though he isn't old enough yet to go jumping off furniture so he mostly ends up just pressing his ears back in frustration and confusion. Eames closes the door slowly behind him, brows raising upward toward his hairline, lips parting. ]
Bugger. Not you, too.
[ He's seen enough of the misgivings around the City today. It's no wonder the place isn't covered in bird feces as much as it is the occasional down feather. ]
✘ ᴛʜᴇ boy least likely to。proportionedApril 29 2011, 21:16:40 UTC
[ All but one of Ariadne's birds erupt in chorus as Eames' entrance, which doesn't help in settling the whole to chase to not to chase debate going on in poor Pancake's head. The dog has a hard enough time with the stimulus that the apartment's three human occupants provide, now with a half dozen birds to add to the din, he's having what one might consider a puppy dog crisis of faith. Ariadne pinches her brow for a minute, the lone quiet bird looking quizzical on her extended forearm before trying to then hop its way (unsuccessfully) to her shoulder. ]
The birds don't go away if they die. Which means I'll still be stuck toting around six of them anyway, only two of them will be dead. [ She looks at Eames, her expression decidedly yes, me too. ]
Six of one, half a dozen of the other. [ A pause and she has to amend. ] No pun intended.
✘ ᴛʜᴇ boy least likely to。specificsApril 29 2011, 21:30:42 UTC
You could close one up in one room, depending on how long the lines are attached, keeps them from killing each other and breeding, whichever.
[ All in all Arthur is not a full on advocate of Dead Bird toting if at all avoidable, for Ariadne's sake though six of them in here at all - suffice to say he's probably going to try cleaning blind next, which is not going to go well at all but even Pancake cannot completely divest Arthur of his cabin fever. His head turns toward Eames again, not knowing that Pancake mimics the direction, two paws bearing down on Arthur's thigh like a perch. ]
✘ ᴛʜᴇ boy least likely to。shiftsApril 29 2011, 21:35:43 UTC
Out.
[ Obviously. Still, Eames studies the birds, approaching one of the more aloof ones that has perched on top of the curtain rod, reaching up to tuck a finger underneath its belly. It nibbles at his nail, first, before climbing on, and he brings it down to eye-level. He uses the thumb and forefinger of his other hand to pinch just behind the bird's head, rubbing deep into the feathers as its eyes fall shut and its beak opens, puffing up in contentment.
Then it swings its head around and bites him, so Eames lets that particular endeavor go, letting it fly back up to the rod. ]
We could lock them up in the bathroom - it would be easier to clean, afterward, assuming this will be like all the other curses.
✘ ᴛʜᴇ boy least likely to。proportionedApril 29 2011, 21:43:02 UTC
[ Ariadne rolls her eyes at Eames' answer because really what was the point of answering at all at that rate. She chalks it up to that prolonged state of pigtail pulling that Ariadne had found both Arthur and Eames in when she'd first met them; she only hopes that Arthur's too busy being preoccupied with Pancake to try his hand with any proper bickering.
Her own exasperation tempers, though, once one of her birds decides to use Eames' hand as a bird feeder. Ariadne's pretty sure the amount of amusement she gleans from this makes her a bad person, but she doesn't really care. Turning to look over her shoulder, towards the bathroom, she makes an indecisive sound. ] There are worse fates than being stuck in the hallway all day.
[ Turning back she raises a dubious eyebrow at Arthur and asks in an accusing tone of voice: ] Are you going to insist on cleaning tomorrow?
✘ ᴛʜᴇ boy least likely to。specificsApril 29 2011, 21:50:35 UTC
[ Eames' response gets a pause and then a decidedly unreadable expression, a lack thereof, and then it doesn't matter because Arthur's face turns toward the sound of Ariadne's voice, duly redirected. He knows that he and Eames aren't on very decent terms at all, and no wonder, but he's not sure where all the lines of restriction rest anymore, even the ones he has drawn in the sand himself.
In his lap, Pancake finally gives up considering the birds and settles in for what appears to be a nap; he's young enough that napping is most of what he does anyway still, an absent sort of muffled noise against Arthur's forearm. ]
No. [ Yes......but no Arthur can not so literally see how that would go more directions considered bad than good. It doesn't help him with the Trapped problem, but then, if he spills a tank of bleach then the apartment won't be livable even as a trap. He amends: ] Not really. [ But it would be nice if he could, all the same. ]
✘ ᴛʜᴇ boy least likely to。shiftsApril 29 2011, 21:55:33 UTC
Reasonable of you both, really.
[ Eames approaches, trying his hand again at the bird on Ariadne's arm. This one, it appears, is much nicer, and climbs onto his hand with little argument. Eames sits himself on the arm of the couch, allowing the bird to hop from his finger to his chest, climbing its way up to his shoulder to press against his neck and start nibbling at his ear, and then further up to the hair behind the shell of it. ]
I'll clean it as soon as they disappear. [ He's not just doing this to be nice, either, he'd just prefer to shower in a place not covered in the gifts left behind from their feathered friends. ] It shouldn't take too long to do, considering the size of it.
✘ ᴛʜᴇ boy least likely to。proportionedApril 29 2011, 22:03:02 UTC
[ Ariadne presses down the smirk that is fighting to climb its way onto her face despite her best efforts. There's something beautifully comedic and surreal and (dare she even think the word) almost domestic about looking at Arthur and Eames perched on the respective ends on the couch. Arthur with his dozing corgi and Eames with his newly-acquired, brightly plumed fashion accessory. Her mind, with all its vision and all its half-imagined dreams, could build entire cities clever enough to trick another person's brain -- but never, never could it have ever thought to dream up something like this.
She's surprised how easily the exchange went but she doesn't have any reason to second guess it, so she doesn't. Ariadne lifts a hand and rubs the obedient little queztal on the back of its neck, where the downy mohawk begins to taper away to smoother, slicker back feathers. ] You have any newspaper or something like it? I could always put some down. Make your life a little easier tomorrow.
✘ ᴛʜᴇ boy least likely to。specificsApril 29 2011, 22:16:01 UTC
[ To all of this Arthur says nothing, pointedly not turning his head this time when Eames settles onto the opposite side - even on the arm, Arthur can tell, it being true that in his blindness everything else is sharper, louder, colder or warmer, so on and so forth. He thinks that this entire set-up is ridiculous, that whatever the unreality of it, the likelihood of all of them having the same natural dream is so impossible he doesn't know what to perceive it as. His silence isn't jarring - often being quiet or along those lines having not as much to say (not going out, not finding anything new as far as understanding the City, etc) or in the case of Eames, just deciding not to.
Absently, he rubs Pancake behind his ears, which seems to please him. ]
✘ ᴛʜᴇ boy least likely to。shiftsApril 29 2011, 22:27:30 UTC
Not exactly that, no. [ He never did set up any mailing system to get a paper, if the City even runs one (which could go either way, as far as the set-up this place has). ] We can line it with the trash bags, for now.
[ He dips down a bit to allow Ariadne better access to his shoulder and, consequently, the bird. ]
Have we any plans for today? I'll assume you'll not want to go out with the birds.
✘ ᴛʜᴇ boy least likely to。proportionedApril 29 2011, 22:44:49 UTC
[ The question gets Ariadne to look immediately at Arthur, her hand pausing mid-stroke which makes the bird's head twitch curiously in question. They both know that Arthur, in the state that he's in, isn't really allowed to have plans. At least not plans that have anything to do with what happens outside the four walls of the apartment and even then that list of options is dwindled further by what Ariadne and Eames will allow him getting away with. She watches for a reaction (or the distinct lack of one) and then looks back at Eames with a shrug, telling him: ]
No, letting them out will just make them more restless. I don't want to push my luck. [ A pause as she resumes rubbing the little bird with her finger. It twists its head around and pecks at her knuckles, though it's not unpleasant so she doesn't mind. It's a meditative sort of gesture. ] Though the shop I designed last time I was here opens tomorrow. I was planning on going.
[ Her last statements also something of a question mark. To see if Eames is curious enough to come along. ]
✘ ᴛʜᴇ boy least likely to。shiftsApril 29 2011, 22:56:59 UTC
[ ooc: i'm not an asshole! haku told me to skip since she went to go take a nap but that arthur was being ~quiet as the grave~ ]
Ah- [ He pauses, thinking back to the general announcements done over the network, and consequently the store that is slotted to open tomorrow. ] Cinna's, was it? Or someone else?
[ Regardless, he's curious to see it - he can't remember Ariadne's partaking in any design plans. ]
I'll pop on by with you, then. [ His eyes move from her to Arthur, then, a pointed message to Ariadne- what about him? ]
✘ ᴛʜᴇ boy least likely to。proportionedApril 29 2011, 23:12:26 UTC
[ ooc; lkajsdfk i'd never think you were an asshole, bb. though haku + naps = otp in my book, so i'm glad she's resting! ]
[ Ariadne's response is immediate: a widening of her eyes, a lifting of her eyebrows, as if to say silently damned if I know. It was a toss up between giving Arthur the opportunity to relieve some of that cabin fever or ruffling his already well-ruffled sensibilities when it came to dealing with his handicap when others would watching. In Ariadne's mind there was no harm in leading Arthur around by the arm for a few hours, let him get a little evening fresh air. But that also meant going to further lengths if Arthur wanted to get proper dressed, having to field questions or at least stares wondering how Arthur had lost his sight in the first place. ] Cinna, that's right, [ she confirms, her voice straightforward in the all the ways her face isn't at the moment.
Probably the most tactful thing would be to have a sidebar, maybe later in the bathroom while Ariadne went about laying down trashbags. But Ariadne very rarely choses the tactful route, instead opting to turn to Arthur instead and ask him straight-up: ] Do you want to come?
✘ ᴛʜᴇ boy least likely to。specificsApril 30 2011, 01:32:00 UTC
[ ooc; ojlksdjklfed lmfejsdlkjolek;fds ]
[ Given the artful pausing, Arthur vaguely collects the gist of what's going on, the unspoken conversation, or it's just his paranoia actually working for him to some extent; either or. Option actually handed to him however, he shakes his head. He'll use his time here and while the itch to be outside at all is there, it's still in a losing battle against Arthur's immediate and utter revulsion to being seen with a vulnerability like this. No. No thank you. ]
No thanks. [ It sounds a little like but thanks for asking.
Keeping it succinct, simple, he smiles slightly when Pancake decides to wake up after his two minute nap only to turn in a full circle on his lap, and then again before nosing into his hand and licking it cheerfully. He doesn't remember wanting a dog but apparently the predisposition over two decades old stuck even without the concrete memories to tack it down.
Cinna's shop though. Arthur meant to drop by before all this happened, but he'll deal with that later, perhaps call Cinna himself even before that, though not today. ]
There is one particular bird, however, that seems partial to her and has a penchant for trying to perch on Ariadne's arm. It gives a discontent flap of its wings but remains silent as Ariadne shushes the rest of them -- with a modicum of success. ]
Six, [ she eventually tells Arthur. ] All quetzals. [ a beat. ] I'm pretty sure two of them are trying to kill each other. Or breed.
Reply
Besides, six is...a lot and Arthur, not being sure of the size of said birds, has some misgivings concerning how the odds are stacked should Round One Unofficial Pancake Versus Quetzal end up starting anyway. Said corgi climbs out of his arms only to walk to the end of the couch and walk back to him, which Arthur feels as Pancake nudges against his elbow. He blinks sightlessly at the reply however, brow arched. ]
I guess the bright side is if it's the first, that's two less birds to listen to all day and if it's the second, then they're not going to be around long enough for it to matter.
Reply
Bugger. Not you, too.
[ He's seen enough of the misgivings around the City today. It's no wonder the place isn't covered in bird feces as much as it is the occasional down feather. ]
Reply
The birds don't go away if they die. Which means I'll still be stuck toting around six of them anyway, only two of them will be dead. [ She looks at Eames, her expression decidedly yes, me too. ]
Six of one, half a dozen of the other. [ A pause and she has to amend. ] No pun intended.
Reply
[ All in all Arthur is not a full on advocate of Dead Bird toting if at all avoidable, for Ariadne's sake though six of them in here at all - suffice to say he's probably going to try cleaning blind next, which is not going to go well at all but even Pancake cannot completely divest Arthur of his cabin fever. His head turns toward Eames again, not knowing that Pancake mimics the direction, two paws bearing down on Arthur's thigh like a perch. ]
Where did you go?
Reply
[ Obviously. Still, Eames studies the birds, approaching one of the more aloof ones that has perched on top of the curtain rod, reaching up to tuck a finger underneath its belly. It nibbles at his nail, first, before climbing on, and he brings it down to eye-level. He uses the thumb and forefinger of his other hand to pinch just behind the bird's head, rubbing deep into the feathers as its eyes fall shut and its beak opens, puffing up in contentment.
Then it swings its head around and bites him, so Eames lets that particular endeavor go, letting it fly back up to the rod. ]
We could lock them up in the bathroom - it would be easier to clean, afterward, assuming this will be like all the other curses.
Reply
Her own exasperation tempers, though, once one of her birds decides to use Eames' hand as a bird feeder. Ariadne's pretty sure the amount of amusement she gleans from this makes her a bad person, but she doesn't really care. Turning to look over her shoulder, towards the bathroom, she makes an indecisive sound. ] There are worse fates than being stuck in the hallway all day.
[ Turning back she raises a dubious eyebrow at Arthur and asks in an accusing tone of voice: ] Are you going to insist on cleaning tomorrow?
Reply
In his lap, Pancake finally gives up considering the birds and settles in for what appears to be a nap; he's young enough that napping is most of what he does anyway still, an absent sort of muffled noise against Arthur's forearm. ]
No. [ Yes......but no Arthur can not so literally see how that would go more directions considered bad than good. It doesn't help him with the Trapped problem, but then, if he spills a tank of bleach then the apartment won't be livable even as a trap. He amends: ] Not really. [ But it would be nice if he could, all the same. ]
Reply
[ Eames approaches, trying his hand again at the bird on Ariadne's arm. This one, it appears, is much nicer, and climbs onto his hand with little argument. Eames sits himself on the arm of the couch, allowing the bird to hop from his finger to his chest, climbing its way up to his shoulder to press against his neck and start nibbling at his ear, and then further up to the hair behind the shell of it. ]
I'll clean it as soon as they disappear. [ He's not just doing this to be nice, either, he'd just prefer to shower in a place not covered in the gifts left behind from their feathered friends. ] It shouldn't take too long to do, considering the size of it.
Reply
She's surprised how easily the exchange went but she doesn't have any reason to second guess it, so she doesn't. Ariadne lifts a hand and rubs the obedient little queztal on the back of its neck, where the downy mohawk begins to taper away to smoother, slicker back feathers. ] You have any newspaper or something like it? I could always put some down. Make your life a little easier tomorrow.
Reply
Absently, he rubs Pancake behind his ears, which seems to please him. ]
Reply
[ He dips down a bit to allow Ariadne better access to his shoulder and, consequently, the bird. ]
Have we any plans for today? I'll assume you'll not want to go out with the birds.
Reply
No, letting them out will just make them more restless. I don't want to push my luck. [ A pause as she resumes rubbing the little bird with her finger. It twists its head around and pecks at her knuckles, though it's not unpleasant so she doesn't mind. It's a meditative sort of gesture. ] Though the shop I designed last time I was here opens tomorrow. I was planning on going.
[ Her last statements also something of a question mark. To see if Eames is curious enough to come along. ]
Reply
Ah- [ He pauses, thinking back to the general announcements done over the network, and consequently the store that is slotted to open tomorrow. ] Cinna's, was it? Or someone else?
[ Regardless, he's curious to see it - he can't remember Ariadne's partaking in any design plans. ]
I'll pop on by with you, then. [ His eyes move from her to Arthur, then, a pointed message to Ariadne- what about him? ]
Reply
[ Ariadne's response is immediate: a widening of her eyes, a lifting of her eyebrows, as if to say silently damned if I know. It was a toss up between giving Arthur the opportunity to relieve some of that cabin fever or ruffling his already well-ruffled sensibilities when it came to dealing with his handicap when others would watching. In Ariadne's mind there was no harm in leading Arthur around by the arm for a few hours, let him get a little evening fresh air. But that also meant going to further lengths if Arthur wanted to get proper dressed, having to field questions or at least stares wondering how Arthur had lost his sight in the first place. ] Cinna, that's right, [ she confirms, her voice straightforward in the all the ways her face isn't at the moment.
Probably the most tactful thing would be to have a sidebar, maybe later in the bathroom while Ariadne went about laying down trashbags. But Ariadne very rarely choses the tactful route, instead opting to turn to Arthur instead and ask him straight-up: ] Do you want to come?
Reply
[ Given the artful pausing, Arthur vaguely collects the gist of what's going on, the unspoken conversation, or it's just his paranoia actually working for him to some extent; either or. Option actually handed to him however, he shakes his head. He'll use his time here and while the itch to be outside at all is there, it's still in a losing battle against Arthur's immediate and utter revulsion to being seen with a vulnerability like this. No. No thank you. ]
No thanks. [ It sounds a little like but thanks for asking.
Keeping it succinct, simple, he smiles slightly when Pancake decides to wake up after his two minute nap only to turn in a full circle on his lap, and then again before nosing into his hand and licking it cheerfully. He doesn't remember wanting a dog but apparently the predisposition over two decades old stuck even without the concrete memories to tack it down.
Cinna's shop though. Arthur meant to drop by before all this happened, but he'll deal with that later, perhaps call Cinna himself even before that, though not today. ]
Reply
Leave a comment