recolle | [Open] Another moving castle knockoff

[Open] Another moving castle knockoff

WHO: Ren & YOU
WHERE: All around Recolle
WHEN: April 4-12
WHAT: A very large, very strange bird accosts people, sometimes with mail.
WARNINGS: Nope!

It starts with a flame possessing his truck and escalates pretty quickly from there.

Honestly, he was already reckless to begin with, so it's not like terribly much changed for him personality-wise—although it does mean he's significantly less alarmed about feathers and wings and more excited about the possibilities. Come on, it's wings. What person hasn't dreamed of flying under their own volition?

He'll take care of the spirit eventually, and things will go back to the relative normal. Really, if this is all that temporal storm was about, it's less of a problem than he thought it would be.

[A]

The first indication that he's nearby might be a shadow from above, or a few black feathers falling. But before anyone gets the chance to really glance up or figure out what's going on, he's already landed in a flurry of gigantic wings, apparently not bothered by the thought of causing any disruptions. Where before he was at least slightly inclined to not make a ruckus and draw attention to himself, now he simply doesn't care. It's not like anyone is going to remember it; it's only right that he enjoys himself while he can.

Of course, he's a little awkward at first, and he may be liable to bump into someone as he tries to slow himself once he's on the ground. An unfortunate few might even be used as landing cushions from particularly unplanned descents. At least he'll probably apologize for those ones.

[B]

Flying takes a lot of energy, though, so he can't just fly around all day, unfortunately. Sometimes he perches himself on the edge of a roof just to watch people go by, whether they're people he knows or complete strangers. The city never really stops moving, even with Retrospec's nonsense—or perhaps because of it.

A large dark bird-man watching you from above definitely isn't creepy at all. Or maybe he's the one being watched and doesn't realize?

[C]

At some point he decides why not, and picks up a few pieces of mail. It's something to do, and a reason to fly around the city for a bit while also feeling productive—freedom is nice and all, but doing a bunch of nothing doesn't really suit him.

So he's off with a package or a parcel of letters, using his phone to help him pinpoint addresses.

"Hey," he calls casually just before landing next to whoever happens to be nearby, as if he hasn't just fallen out of the sky to hold a piece of mail in someone's personal space. The near-serious look on his face probably doesn't help. "I'm looking for this person."

[D]

Sometimes the mail tries to swirl around him and keep him in one place, or even bite him. That is the last mistake the mail will ever know, because it's swiftly sliced into pieces with a red, sputtering laser sword.

Hopefully that wasn't yours...

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Fuck--!

[Hux curses somewhat loudly as he tries to stop the coffee he's holding from spilling all over himself. Somewhat difficult when a large creature with giant wings lands just a few feet away from him-- and is that Ren Lowe?! Ugh, of course it is. He's always here to ruin his day.

And is this another power of his or what?? Sprouting wings-- you know what, Hux doesn't want to know.

He takes a sip of his coffee that he managed not to spill, somewhat wishing that it was alcohol instead right now.]

5/10. [Hux says suddenly, perhaps stupidly. He probably should just turn the other way and leave, but why pass up the chance of being an asshole?] Points off for that landing.

[Ren lets out an annoyed grunt as he glances at the redhead, straightening out and stretching the new muscles to get a better feel for them.]

Like you could do any better the same day you got wings.

[Casually, Ren snatches the coffee out of Armitage's hand and takes a sip to see what flavor he's got. In addition to being curious if the other man drinks it as bitter as his soul apparently is, Ren is a bit thirsty from his flight.]

[The coffee is indeed bitter, just like his soul.

But Hux splutters before glaring at the man, clearly irritated that once again, Ren snatched something from him.]

Can you go one encounter without stealing something from me?! [He was really enjoying that coffee you winged asshole!! This is why he's suffering, because of people like Ren.]

[Bah. Not that Ren won't drink it—he takes a deeper drink partly to spite the redhead—but he tends to prefer at least some flavor. How plain.]

I'll stop taking your things when you stop deserving it.

[That said, he holds the cup out to Armitage again, fixing him with a dull but somehow judgmental stare.]

Get something better next time.

[He snatches his cup before giving Ren the stink eye. Better to give him that sort of expression when he has his coffee safely back in his hands. Hux continues to give him that look for a few more seconds before taking a small drink out of his coffee.]

Of course. [He raises his arm and points in a direction behind Ren.] I think the bird feeder is that way, you can't miss it.

[Ren cants his head not unlike a bird, even though it's something he usually does when he's curious about something.]

A sense of humor? You're full of surprises, Professor.

[He really can't be offended by the remark. Even in his current state he's aware of how ridiculous the situation is. He's just also making the most of it.]

You should try it, being a bird. It might give you some perspective.

[Ren you're not helping with the bird look here.]

I have a great sense of humor, you just don't often appreciate it. [Granted, he hasn't joked all that much around Ren, but that's entirely his fault for being creepy!!]

No, that's okay. I prefer my feet on the ground. But you go right ahead and join your flock, I think I see them in the sky now.

Forgive me for not noticing in the two times we've spoken.

[Though Ren has to admit it's an improvement from... his previous incarnation, the one in Recolle.

Instead of leaving like Armitage would obviously prefer, he takes a step closer, his attention clearly honing in on the redhead. Thankfully his upbeat mood makes his statements a little less ominous than usual, but... then again, they could be creepy in another way for it.]

In a hurry to make me leave? I already told you you're not getting rid of me.

[Hux instantly makes a face, although he's also trying to hide his discomfort from being around Ren. The guy only has to breathe near him to come off as creepy.

Still, he stays his ground even when Ren steps closer.]

Have I not been clear that I'd rather avoid seeing your face if possible? Right now, there's a perfect opportunity for you to leave me alone. You have wings, just go and make a nest elsewhere.

Maybe you'll get used to me faster if I stay for a while.

[Foolproof plan. There's no way this can go wrong. For Ren. ... probably.

He clearly has no intentions of moving away, and it goes without saying that he's likely to follow the redhead if he tries to leave himself.]

What are you up to, anyway?

That sounds like a terrible idea.

[0/10 plan, try again.]

What?! I'm not telling you! [It's none of Ren's business! The stalker would probably just follow him around!] Do you really have nothing better to do?!

[Ren's not even meeting the low expectations he set for him.]

Most likely.

[But he's choosing to spend his time with you. Isn't that nice?]

But I suppose you don't have to tell me. I'll figure it out myself. [He folds his arms, his wings settling against his back to take up the least amount of space. For now.]

[Hux can't believe this. The nerve of this bird-brained idiot...! He stares at him, silently fuming for a moment, and greatly considering tossing his remaining coffee at the creeper's face.]

I do have an errand to run. [With that, he begins to walk away from him.]

[Ren follows as was probably expected, calmly walking alongside Hux as if they were business partners or something of the sort. His curiosity isn't exactly restrained at the moment, so he makes a guess at what that errand might be.]

Something for the university? [Despite himself, he does actually want to know more about the other man and what kind of person he is. You know, aside from being an asshole.]

[Unfortunately for Ren, he's not going to learn much about Hux besides the things he's already known ie. being an asshole.]

No, I just remembered that I need to go to the local pet store.

[He gives a look at Ren.]

I doubt they make bird cages large enough, but there should be some feed I can get. Low quality, preferably.

[Lowering his eyelids, Ren stares at the other man with an expression that is certainly not a pout. Soon enough, however, there's a mischievous glint in his eye and a gradual curl of his lips as he makes a decision.]

I'm flattered you're taking such an interest in birds because of me. I'll show you what it's like, since you're so invested.

[Without any further warning, the taller man hooks his arms around Hux's middle from behind and bends at the knees, his gigantic wings folding out before a single great flap sends them into the sky. He's confident enough in his flying skills and strength to be able to take on a passenger, even if that passenger might not be the most cooperative.

Say goodbye to the ground for now, Armitage.]

What--

[And before Hux can finish the rest of his sentence, he quickly finds himself in the air as the ground below becomes smaller and smaller by the second. As any respectful individual in his position, Hux lets out a rather loud shriek.]

LET ME GO YOU DIM WITTED, OVERGROWN BIRD!!

[oh god the ground is so far away now.]

D-don't let me go!!

[Ren has definitely got a firm grip on Hux, at least. He actually lets out a laugh at the panicked reaction, clearly in his element now that they're soaring over the city.]

I won't, don't worry. You should appreciate the view.

I APPRECIATE NOTHING!!

[He can get a view like this just going on an airplane or something thank you very much!! A large bird is not necessary!!

Hux's grip on Ren tightens as he tries to prevent himself from passing out or do something that's equally as bad.]

[He doesn't seem to mind the tightening, and his own arms remain steady where they are as they glide along.]

I'm not going to drop you. [He's hoping the additional reminder will help to get the other man to stop panicking, at least, but hey, even if it goes poorly, it's something he can threaten Hux with later.

Ren turns his gaze southward.]

You can see the ocean from here.

[Despite the reassurance, Hux's grip on Ren doesn't let up. That part isn't going to change, although he does move his head enough to look at the ocean.

...It's honestly a nice view. He knows that he can't get this sort of experience on an airplane or anything like that, but there's no way he's going to admit that to this asshole. He's just doing this to make fun of him, not for anything else. At least, that's what Hux assumes.]

Yes, thanks for pointing out the obvious.

[It's much easier to hide any sort of appreciation with snark.]

Edited 2018-05-22 02:02 (UTC)

[Ren would be ashamed of himself if he couldn't tell the difference between that belligerent coverup and actual genuine ire, with how well he's been able to read people most of his life. Hux doesn't have to admit it, though. He can act ungrateful all he likes.]

I told you it would give you a different perspective.

[If there's something a little mischievous in his tone, he won't admit it. And anyway, hopefully Hux will be to distracted by the way he banks to fly towards the boardwalk to call him out on it.]

I hear that tone you bloody--

[And Hux squeaks again when Ren changes his flight to the broadwalk. Yep, he definitely hates this overgrown bird still. He's somehow going to find Ren's address and send bird feed to his doorstep every day!! It's what he gets.]

[Given that he now has had the app for close to a year, a man with giant, dark wings landing next to him as he leaves his apartment building is actually not the weirdest thing Kenta has ever seen. He is surprised by the suddenness of the apparition, but not so much by the man's appearance.

Upon an envelope being thrust under his nose, he blinks for a second, then truly gives a start.]

That... would be me. Where did you get that?

[Oh, good. Ren holds the letter(?) out properly for Kenta to take, feeling a bit accomplished. Not that he's particularly eager to be a mailbird, but there's a little something to helping people out on the small scale, occasionally.

He'll get to bigger things later, but this was an obvious place to start.]

There's mail falling all over town. There's no way the postal service could take care of it all, so I picked a few things up.

[Of course, the additional impulsive behavior the flame spirit has granted Ren along with the wings means his curiosity is completely unrestrained, so getting into people's business sounds like a good idea that could have no repercussions ever.]

Were you expecting something?

[Kenta grabs the envelope to check who sent it.]

Actually, no, I wasn't. I'm surprised there was even one for me in all that mess.

[A glance towards the wings. They're pretty impressive.]

I suppose that must be helpful with delivering, though. The postal service should look into that. They probably don't have anyone on Retrospec, though.

Several months of mail can have a few surprises for everyone, I guess.

[Ren sees that glance and can't help but feel a little smug, even if the result is more of an imperious straightening up than a smirk or anything.]

Probably not. Though it makes me wonder if things would change if some of us were higher up in the government here.

[All of the aware police seem complacent and/or lower in rank, so they haven't done anything on the larger scale, sadly. Ren thinks it's a shame.]

Do you... normally have those, or...?

He's pretty sure he would have remembered a birdman flying around, and if the guy is new on Retrospec, that's a pretty extreme physical change for such a short time.]

I don't think the mayor knows much. He's mostly a figurehead. He and the city government were kidnapped last month, but we're not sure why.

Not at all. It's not something from my memories, either. I'm sure it's something to do with the flames possessing things.

[Like himself, for instance. You know, no big deal. Similarly, he doesn't seem bothered by the whole government kidnapping deal.]

I remember hearing about that. I was half expecting them to disappear and never return. Were you there?

The... flame-possessing things?

[As in you are possessed right now? Shouldn't you be more worried?]

I was a part of the team that went to liberate them. Maybe they are not very effective as leaders, but it's still not right to have them kidnapped.

I'd guess they're some kind of fire spirits, but I couldn't say for sure.

[Nah, everything's fine.]

Congratulations on freeing them. I might have gone to help if I saw much of a point, but it's like you've said.

[They're kind of useless.]

And ... one of them is possessing you? Shouldn't you take care of that?

[That sounds a little dangerous, to be honest.]

... Would you have taken their place if we hadn't saved them?

Of course not.

[The expression on his face is somewhere between mildly amused and offended, like he wants to be annoyed but doesn't actually know what to think about the idea of being in charge of the city. But ultimately his answer is the same as his first instinct, which is hell no.]

I'd rather not have anything to do with bureaucracy.

[And he still wouldn't even if he wasn't technically legally dead and all that. Just so the other man doesn't think he's ignoring the possession issue, he adds:]

I'll take care of the fire later.

Well, I didn't feel like taking it up either, so the next best solution was to make sure they were freed and restored to their positions. I'm not sure any of us Retrospec user feel like taking up such huge responsibilities.

[But later, you say...]

That doesn't sound very safe. You don't know what the long-term effect on you could be.

[He shakes his head to dismiss the concern.]

These things always get resolved in a month.

[Long-term effects, bah. It's not like non-memory related changes have ever lasted! ... that's what he thinks, at least.

He has some questions about the rescue, however, that he doesn't intend to keep to himself.]

Who exactly was it that kidnapped them, anyway? Or what. [Anything's possible, honestly.]

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[Open] Another moving castle knockoff

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