[Video] First Chapter

[heretic_hamlet]

[Surprisingly, his first appearance on the screen comes compliments of a streetside public terminal... but if the presence of those two man-sized, flightless birds beside him- one yellow-feathered, the other red- was any indication, then maybe an indoor terminal wasn't the best option.]

I... know not how many of you are familiar with Chocobos, but this past Christmas Saeng Seong had decided to make a gift of my old companions from my homeland. Try as I might, I could not find such space in my room as to shelter them...

[As he speaks, the red one takes it upon itself to preen his cowlick down against his scalp. ...It springs back into its usual position seconds later, to the bird's irritation.]

...and ordinarily they would be content to make themselves scarce, but I fear they've a need for a bit more help than I can provide.

[The yellow one nudges something closer below the frame, and Ramza breaks the red one's further efforts to smooth his hair as he stoops over to pick it up... when he returns to frame, his arms are full with a single enormous egg, which he'd already swaddled in a blanket.]

...Persephone was gravid when she'd arrived, and the winter's chill leaves little hope for nesting. But nor can I hope to house-- [All three of them peer offscreen in tandem.] --four eggs on my own. To rear one is no small task to take and no small favor to ask, I know, but if any of you could offer to adopt them, we would be indebted to you.

((OOC: Here it is! Check out the announcement or info post for more details! And if you don't want to be entered into the drawing, that's fine too; I'm sure these birds could use help in any number of ways... ))

Comments

[Video]

[topgun_textiles]

[He didn't know animals came through. All he got was his awesome bike and was loving the hell out of it, but this...seemed tricky. But that's not on Kanji's mind right now.]

...Didja just swaddle a giant egg?

[Video]

[heretic_hamlet]

[Well, in hindsight, it was probably a little silly-looking...]

And the others as well. I cannot just leave them to freeze in the meantime...

[Video]

[blazeoflife]

[Oooh man, Junpei can't help replying to this!]

Holy crap, dude, those birds--Chocobo things are huge! Do you ride on them or something?!

[They looked a lot like that one animal in Feudal Fantasy... what was it called again? Argh! It was on the tip of his tongue!]

But so, you need someone to help take care of em? I can try!

[... So says the city boy who's only dealt with dogs and cats. And Shadows.]

[Video]

[heretic_hamlet]

[To Ramza, that seems like a question with a particularly self-evident answer... but not everyone came from a world with such things, right?]

To say the least. Countless times these two had bore me off to battle on their backs.

[The red one takes heed of his words enough to puff out her chest behind him as Ramza sets the egg aside... the yellow Chocobo quickly crouches down and takes it under wing as Ramza returns his attentions to the screen.]

I thank you. But I must warn you... they can be a challenge. And very strong.

[video]

[ofwesternwinds]

[Whoa... those birds were huge, that's for sure. He's taken care of horses in the past, but birds? That's another story. And those eggs...]

You've got four of those?

[It's hard to hide the look of astonishment on the boy's face. Ramza very clearly had his hands full with that one egg as it is - that much he could tell.]

[video]

[heretic_hamlet]

Four, yes. It's a bit more than I would have expected from a first clutch...

[...Persephone raises her head in an overly-dramatic display of mild indignation and struts off-frame.]

They're not the first I've had to shelter, but I've little means to do so now.

[Then again, ask Ramza what he thinks of horses and he'd probably say 'strange-looking'...]

[Video]

[absolutepower]

[One thing Jack wasn't expecting to see today was a couple of big birds fawning over a familiar face. Then again, he hadn't expected to be attacked by giant snowmen either. He still can't help but look rather surprised by the sight, even so.]

Huh... You didn't tell me you had giant chickens back on your world!

[They certainly seemed... affectionate though.]

I take it there's no such thing as a ranch around these parts then?

[Video]

[heretic_hamlet]

You didn't tell me you hadn't any.

[Though the way most people have been responding so far, he was starting to think that may have been the norm for other worlds...]

None that I have seen. None that could house these two, anyway...

[video]

[ofsongandstrings]

I've helped a few breeders in my world, and if you are in need of blankets and such, I can provide.

[There's a kweh in the background.]

...Mayhaps we should petition the appropriate parties for a stable of sorts.

[video]

[heretic_hamlet]

[Finally, someone else who seems like they have some familiarity with it!]

These two and their eggs are well enough for now, but... you have the right of it. There must be some lot in Saeng Seong we could use to fashion a proper home for them.

[But the familiar sounds in the background don't escape his notice... nor of his two companions, apparently just as puzzled by the chocobo noises coming from the bright screen.]

You have one, as well?

[video]

[littlewhitelies]

[O-oh dear. Maybe she's never seen anything quite like these giant birds, but there is something undeniably cute about them. Evidenced in how M'gann's jaw hangs open for a second before she speaks.]

"Th-there's going to be four more of those here?"

[Actually, space concern takes a backseat to wondering if they're friendly, and if she can scratch them behind the feather-crests. They certainly LOOK the part, with all that affectionate grooming.

Though after a second, M'gann does manage to remember the right priorities.]

"Do you think...Would it help to have a place for them to stay, if needed? Like, a big place they could all be at together!"

[video]

[heretic_hamlet]

Four more, and these two trouble me enough.

[Though he laughed dryly it earned him another leer from the red bird, and a more indignant tug against his cowlick... but it was soon turned mellow with a rub of his palm the back of the head. Come on, now, Persephone; it was just a good-natured jape, no hard feelings.

But his focus quickly returns to M'Gann.]

Of course... They're now nested in bush behind the guest housing, but I would sooner see a roof over their heads; and we've barely room indoors for these two there, to say naught of their chicks once they're grown...

video; later than hella

[reassigned]

Oh my Hera, they're so cute...!

[Big, but cute- and it's obvious they're pretty loyal if the way the red one is preening after Ramza is any indication. It takes her a moment to catch the name though, and when she does, she holds back a titter and asks-]

...wait. Persephone? Is the other one Hades then?

[Gosh, she really hopes so. That aside, Ramza was asking for help, and well...]

I um... don't know much about birds, but I can help you with the eggs until they hatch. I've got plenty of experience with those.

[Dragon and Griffin eggs in particular.]

...do you need more material to make a nest for them?

[She's not giving up any of her fabric, but she will definitely go out and buy some he can use.]

[video]

[heretic_hamlet]

Ah, no, his name is Boco. He'd been named long before he came to my care--

[But Ramza is nearly crowded out of the frame due to two beaky feathery faces shoving themselves up against the terminal because OH MY GOD THAT HUMAN HAS FEATHERED WINGS, MINDS BLOWN. He gently nudges them aside so he can keep speaking.]

--and the other, one of my squad had named. For her love of pomegranates, if I recall. [And of course the aforementioned switches her sight to Ramza at hearing the P-word, but- realizing its mention only in passing- goes back to looking at the nice girl with the bird wings.]

They seem content with their nest, but I-- we would not turn down a helping hand with the eggs. From the looks of it, you've even gained their trust at first glance!

video

[uncouthhatcher]

[-- Egg!! Egg! Gold whistles lowly at the size of it - Chocobo, huh? Wonder if it's just birds that lay eggs in this kid's world... - and thinks.

... Well, they could knock out that wall, probably... Eh. He'd have to talk about it with Silver. Not that things weren't already starting to get crowded with three new Pokémon around. It'd have to go anyway.]

That's one big egg you've got, kid, and you have four of them? Man. Yeah, that'd suck big time to take care of on your own... Anyway, back home I'm what they call The Hatcher [so proud and grinning about it; it's obviously a title worth something to him] so I know a thing or two about eggs.

[Even if they, uh, might not be the same...]

Anyway, that aside, I've got a partner that can keep those eggs warm for ya if y'wanna borrow him. Until you get them adopted off and all.

[Video]

[heretic_hamlet]

[The oddly-casual way of speaking was one thing, but calling Ramza 'kid?!' come on, Gold, Ramza's at least five years your senior...!

But it was an interesting proposition, and a lofty claim all the same. Ramza was interested.]

I doubt the parents would let any other animal near the nest until their eggs have left their care...

[A bit of a leer from the red one reinforced the fact.]

...but I would hear of your deeds. You've reared monsters, then?

video;

[humility]

I don't know much about birds... [especially Chobobos] ...but maybe I could make something to keep them warm? Blankets or something of the like, their size?

[Video]

[heretic_hamlet]

I woul-- we would welcome aught and all you wish to offer in aid. I am sure Persephone wouldn't mind a little more warmth and color for her feathers or nest. [She echoed the sentiment with an aloof "kweh" and immediately went back to her self-important preening.]

Have we met? I am Ramza. Ramza Beoulve.

I'm tagging very slowly right now so assume she'll be interested if we get to drawing before then

[shadowsgambit]

[Birds. Giant birds.

Well. That was better than giant bugs by a mile. Maybe, she even thought with a smirk before hitting the reply button, maybe they'd eat any giant bugs that find their way in.]

Can't say I've ever seen anything like them. At least, not that size.

righto!

[heretic_hamlet]

You would not be the first to say it--

[Whoops, looks like the birds had the same initial response as Ramza did. Heads lowered, Red and yellow feathers puffed up, and a few growling trills came out at the horned woman on the screen, before Ramza sternly tugged them in close, speaking at a whisper]

Soft, now! She is a friend!

[...they just sort of sulked aside afterward, humbled and confused.]

...You must pardon them, Fortuna. We had faced our share of foes who bore such horns.

video;

[capturespecialist]

So we weren't the only people to get friends from home...

[If there's eggs mentioned, then it's likely Gold's already gotten to it. It never hurts to offer help though, so that's what Crystal's all about.]

If you need any extra space, my unit's pretty big and I don't live with anyone else. [Building 3's rooms are... spacious, to say the least. It's not like she's using the extra bedroom anyway too.] My team and I won't bother them or you either, and Archy could probably help keep them warm.

[...Oh, yeah, and -- she always feels better doing this introduction thing even if her name's already on up and seeable:] I'm Crystal, by the way.

[Video]

[heretic_hamlet]

Count yourselves fortunate, Crystal. I am Ramza. Ramza Beoulve.

[There's a chance Ramza might have met a 'hatching expert' a couple conversations ago, but he's certainly not going to call it quits when so many people are offering their help.

The thought of a warm apartment was a tempting one to consider, but...]

...Certainly suited to one or more of the chicks, but I know not how the parents would fare for it...

[Wait, didn't she mention something else?]

And what of this team you mentioned? I thought you said you live alone?

Video;

[sweettalker]

[The first thing that catches her attention is the bird, of course, and then the name- Persephone. Hades' wife. Interesting name choice. More to the point is the fact that the post had her focus.

Those are some adorable looking animals, though she's not entirely sure if she could take care of one on her own...]

Chocobos? Do they all get that large?

Video;

[heretic_hamlet]

Most do, in time. We would often yoke them as beasts of burden in Ivalice. These two are war mounts, so they're of hardier stock.

[Persephone gave an irritated little tug of Ramza's hair. Who are you calling 'hardier'?! But Ramza fended her off and sated her with a scratch under her chin.]

The chicks are far smaller, of course.

Video; (All my characters +are interested, but Charlie is the one who'd respond because fffff)

[not_really_charlie]

...Chocobos? [As in... Holy smokes.] Me.

[Video]

[heretic_hamlet]

Chocobos, for true.

[The intensity in her reply DID leave him curious...]

You've heard of them, have you?