[Action] buy stuff.

[distantbird]

[Raven has been crafting again, and this time she's made enough to share. Or, rather, sell.

Today, she's brought a small table to the Quad, and placed her projects all over it. There's two knitted hats, because the middle of summer is the perfect time to be selling woolen accessories, but it's mostly jewellery. Most of them are pendants, but there's a couple of rings, earrings and bracelets as well. Each has a little label on them stating the price, which could be anything from 500 gil to 5000.

However, Raven's not always been the best of salespeople, even if that is her job at home. She stands there, silently, all wrapped up in her heavy coat and scarf regardless of the warm weather, watching her fellow cadets. Nobody even gets as much as a smile from her - if anything, she seems to be frowning.]

Comments

[distantbird]

There are people. That doesn't mean I have to be close to them. If it's safer for them to stay away, then they will stay away - if they don't, I will stay away from them.

But... it's not fair... and it must be because of what I am, but I can't change that.

[fierybluebird]

Then start with one. One other person. It doesn't matter what you are, just who. [He doesn't mean to get angry, but he's definitely getting a little intense about it. This is something he's very strongly convicted on.]

If you don't let anyone close to you they can't prove you wrong either and that's not fair to them. "For their own safety" is just an excuse. If you don't let them decide for themselves you're taking away their choice and assuming they're weak before they can even prove they're not.

[distantbird]

Then I suppose I'm the one who's weak. I can't handle it.

[fierybluebird]

[Gently rests an arm around her shoulders.]

Look, I'm cursed too. But there's no curse that friends can't overcome. And don't sell yourself short either, eh.

You'll find someone who will stick by you no matter what, just don't be so ready to slam the door in their face.

[distantbird]

[Complete silence for a moment. She doesn't know what she should say or do - her defenses tell her not to agree, it's not safe, but it's just that lonely that she wants to know he's right.

Safest option: CHANGE SUBJECT.]

I... wanted to show you something.

[fierybluebird]

[Nods.]

Okay. Anything I should do first?

[distantbird]

[Looks around.]

It needs to be somewhere else. With no people.

[fierybluebird]

Training center, rooftop, courtyard?

[distantbird]

The roof. That would be best.

[fierybluebird]

Roof it is then, eh.

[distantbird]

...I can't get there on my own.

[Seriously, Garden is too glossy and rounded for climbing.]

[fierybluebird]

I'll take you up. [Softly amused grin and switches an arm into a wing.]

[distantbird]

[Nod. Okay. You lead the way.]

[fierybluebird]

[Leads her outside to a good jumping spot before switching into phoenix and spreading his wings.]

[distantbird]

[Whooooaaa. Okay, Raven stares for a moment - it's been a long time since she saw him like this, and it's pretty impressive. She takes it as an invite to climb on, and tentatively moves to do so, unsure if that was actually the intention or not.]

[fierybluebird]

[It was. He waits until she's secretly on before taking off, flapping wings to get more lift.]

[distantbird]

[It feels weird! Flying, without being the one doing the actual flying. Raven doesn't know how to position herself, just looks around cautiously, seeing if there's anyone around on the ground below. If there is, she can't....

Good. Nobody there. This is good.

Sorry, Marco, but she's not coming up to the roof. Because she just jumped.]

[fierybluebird]

[UM. HOLY SHIT. Marco just squawks and panics a little, he's never lost a rider before and this is not cool! He should have waited! He's been too used to Grell and Espio knowing what they were doing. He starts a very fast spiral downwards to try to catch her.]

[distantbird]

[Hey, this was deliberate! Because, after meeting someone else that was part bird, it was only natural to want to say "me too." Words are too difficult, though, as is bringing herself to even show anyone - she's used to (stubbornly) being lonely.

It wasn't really high enough to let herself free-fall, though. Raven quickly takes on her other form, catches the wind, and flies on up.]

[fierybluebird]

[Oh. All right. That made a lot more sense. He catches the updraft and stops his descent, flying back up more instead, with a loud laugh. This made a little more sense and yet... He still suspects he's missing something key and obvious. He whistles that he's going over to the rooftop since he can't quite talk like this without switching into hybrid form at least.]

[distantbird]

[Raven still doesn't really speak bird, but sees Marco flying back towards the roof and follows. She doesn't change back, though - she lands on the roof and quietly sits, waiting to hear whatever-it-is Marco might have to say.]

[fierybluebird]

[He lands, hooding his wings over him and perches in a hybrid state, talons gripping the top of the roof, but torso and head of a human.]

If this is what you've been hiding, you shouldn't. Strangers and natives think we're just GFs, and other people here don't care, eh? Some even admire it.

Don't get me wrong, I understand it. I'm called a monster by some in my world, but I've got a family of 1600 who all love me no matter what. Both sides, phoenix and human, eh?

[distantbird]

...I noticed. That it's not as bad here. That people in Garden don't mind anything. But...

It's always been something to hide.

Nobody knows. Even Gaius.

[fierybluebird]

Why not?

[distantbird]

Monsters... the villagers don't like them at all.