AUDIENCE FOR: Emet-Selch

[guestservices]

Comments

[guestservices]

C'mon, what're you doing, besides entertaining a bird?

[ there's a little coaxing there, teasing. ] I'll read you a bedtime story.

[ktiseos]

Oh, don't be ridiculous-

[he is a full grown ancient thank you?]

Of what, pray tell.

[if it's a jokey answer he's kicking them out of his room]

[guestservices]

[ :3c ]

Well, what kind of stories do you like to hear?

[ktiseos]

One must wonder what sorts of stories a bird would have to tell.

[guestservices]

[ their demeanor softens a bit. ]

Probably ones about all the things they've taken under their wing.

[ktiseos]

[hm.

after a pause:]

Choose one, then.

[guestservices]

[

they point at his bed. ]

[ktiseos]

What.

[guestservices]

Bedtime story means you're in bed and resting.

[ktiseos]

[oh he gives them SUCH a look

then sighs a put-upon sigh, and lies down.]

[guestservices]

[ they seem very pleased with themselves, and also completely immune to this look.

they are also going to pull the blankets up over him and tuck him in, and then come and settle down cross legged on the bed. ]

See? Was that so hard?

[ktiseos]

This was hardly necessary.

[HE CAN MOVE HIS OWN BLANKETS.]

[guestservices]

You don't mind it.

[ this is a bold proclamation but they are just going with it. ]

Now... someone I took under my wing. Hmm. How about... 's a girl that I knew. One not that much younger than me, but it felt like it, sometimes. Sort of a baby bird.

[ there's an easy sense of amusement as they speak, warm. ]

[ktiseos]

I will thank you not to make assumptions.

[rolling his eyes...

but he's settled in, regardless.]

...carry on, then.

[guestservices]

[ they don't say anything to the first bit, because they're right! and they know they're right.

they just settle with a little hum. ]

She was a little awkward, and maybe not very good at making friends. But, the big bird she befriended saw a lot of himself in her, so, he thought maybe they could start working together. And they did. [ there's a sense of that wry amusement as they're talking through this little 'story'. ]

She reminded him of what it was like to have a family.

[ktiseos]

Is that so.

[a soft, thoughtful little murmur.]

Had he forgotten?

[guestservices]

[ PUTS MY HANDS ALL OVER THE PRONOUNS SHHHH ]

The bird? Mmm. [ ... ] Not really, but... the big bird was pretty far from home. So it was nice, to remember, and... to help her remember, too.

[ktiseos]

Something of a kindred spirit, by the sounds of it.

[he's not quite looking at them, as he listens, his voice still quiet.]

What was she like, then?

[guestservices]

Feisty.

[ they laugh, at that, affectionate. ] Smart. Easy to tease, too - got flustered so easily. Like a little sister.

[ktiseos]

Little wonder you'd be fond, then, given your apparent proclivity toward it.

[you little shit, aquila.]

[guestservices]

Yeah.

[ they just sound nostalgic. they do not even remotely disagree with this assessment. ]

[ktiseos]

You could at least attempt to deny it.

[guestservices]

I'm not a very good liar.

[ this time the laugh is enough to get them to shake their head. ]

[ktiseos]

Fair enough.

[he sounds lightly amused, himself.

then he pauses, for a few moments.]

Aquila-

[...

whatever he thought to say, he just sighs, going quiet and shaking his head.]

[guestservices]

[ oh?

they tilt their head, sounding a little concerned. ]

What is it?