eleven crows (朱) action/voice - forward dated to morning

[yourhatred]

[Itachi is at the edge of the forest today, dressed warmly, with a small bag of birdseed in one hand. There aren't many birds around, given the weather, but there are a couple strays. There's also a couple squirrels, of course, who seem just as determined to get at what he's throwing out. The trees keep the animals mostly protected against the light snowfall, while the ninja has a dusting of flakes in his hair.

He speaks to the journal only after a while.]

...Where do the birds go, I wonder? Once the air chills. Can they get beyond the barrier to places we cannot?

Comments

[deathsdoctor]

[Your upstairs neighbour is also out and about today. It's beautiful out, the air crisp and cold, and Law also appreciates a good snowfall (that he's dressed appropriately for).

Given you're talking to the journal with a question, he figures you won't mind some conversation. However it's only after you have visibly taken note of him will he speak.

He misses the screech of gulls so.]

... I don't know. Perhaps they can get by the barrier - it does seem to be selectively permeable to certain things like water. But there's no way to tell for certain.

[Glancing at the emboldened squirrels.]

Now them. I know where some of those cheeky fellows have been hiding.

[yourhatred.livejournal.com]

[Itachi will visibly take note of nothing, as he's blind while his Sharingan isn't activated and for now he's saving energy. He turns his head slightly at the sound of approaching footsteps, however.

Normally he wouldn't seek conversation, reclusive for good reason, but here there's little reason to keep himself from others. He also needs to know as much about this place and its inhabitants as he can.

The ninja holds the bag out in offering.] They're very resourceful creatures.

[deathsdoctor]

I know. Some have been living in our walls. I found one in my bathroom just recently.

[No problem with that. He had laughed when he discovered the culprit. He had thought there was rats. Both carry disease, but rats are worse as any sailor knows.

And squirrels are just damn cute.]

Thank you.

[Taking a handful of birdseed and sprinkling it across the snow for the tiny little birds. Are they sparrows, or wrens, or finches, or something else? He supposes it really doesn't matter. The way they hop across the snow is delightful, as how they bob and dart in for the seed. Simple pleasures and it makes him smile.]

[yourhatred.livejournal.com]

I can't say I've had that pleasure.

[Then again, he didn't keep much in his apartment that would be worth their time. Aside from the occasional bit of tea, his food generally stayed in the kitchen. He hadn't seen any signs of squirrel activity there, neatly kept as he left it, but he might have to check in the near future.]

Are you much of an animal lover?

[deathsdoctor]

Aa, let's hope you avoid it then. It's troublesome when any unwelcome creature gets in and starts nosing around - especially the pantry. Though it should let up by spring hopefully. I imagine they're escaping the cold as much as looking for food.

[No food in his apartment either, except for the odd cup of coffee or tea. But he likes his rooms warm. Perhaps that was why it was so attractive to his little houseguest.]

I am.

[Likes them more than people some days. They don't judge.]

[ voice ] /had to throw someone

[whatsinthepipe.livejournal.com]

Tch. I wouldn't trust that anything here is allowed that kind of freedom.

[ voice ]

[yourhatred.livejournal.com]

A reasonable enough thought. But they must go somewhere.

[ voice ]

[whatsinthepipe.livejournal.com]

Who's to say they don't remain? Even the weakest of animals have enough instinct to attempt to survive, when nature won't allow them to move.

Maybe they find it wise to stay out of sight. [ Out of another animal's mouth. ]

[ voice ]

[yourhatred.livejournal.com]

This is true. Or perhaps I'm just not looking hard enough.

[He says this with a straight face.]

[ voice ]

[whatsinthepipe.livejournal.com]

There are very few reasonable places to look. [ ...damn, if Hijikata just had a sense of humor. ]

[Voice]

[illusional]

I suppose a morbid answer would be to raise the possibility that they simply die in the winter and are replaced by our captors in the spring.

Although, if one is so curious, there is also the option of asking them yourself? Forgive me if I am mistaken, but I have been told all animals in Luceti are capable of some limited form of speech, yes?

[Voice]

[yourhatred.livejournal.com]

I had considered that. Maybe I'll attempt it with these, or the others when they return.

There's a strong possibility they'll tell us nothing beneficial, as others have surely asked before.

[Voice]

[illusional]

That is true, yes. Although capable of speech, it seems unlikely that their conversation skills could be considered on par with those residing in the village. You may get little more than aimless babbling for your trouble.

[Voice]

[yourhatred.livejournal.com]

I don't suppose you've made any attempts yourself?

[Voice]

[illusional]

Such a thing would be impossible for a creature like myself. Most of the animals in the forest are wise enough to stay away from me.

[300yrswandering.livejournal.com]

Good question there. I usually just assumed they stayed at the mountains or something.

[yourhatred.livejournal.com]

That's a possibility.

[300yrswandering.livejournal.com]

Curious all of a sudden there?

[yourhatred.livejournal.com]

Yes, a bit. It's something to look into, perhaps.

[300yrswandering.livejournal.com]

I guess so. It would be interesting if they could get out of the barrier, though.

[voice]

[compos-mentis.livejournal.com]

[Oh hah... haha. Now there is a point that she didn't think of. This planet is temperate, right? Birds would not be here in this climate but might be in other ones. There hadn't been many when she showed up anyway so she paid it no mind. That said.]

The forest animals are probably Shifted in anyway.

[voice]

[yourhatred.livejournal.com]

[Itachi 'hm's thoughtfully.]

Do you think so?

[voice]

[compos-mentis.livejournal.com]

The ecology here is a mess, I'd be surprised if it wasn't managed somehow.

[voice]

[yourhatred.livejournal.com]

The first and latter parts of that comment would seem contradictory, but I see what you mean.

[voice]

[compos-mentis.livejournal.com]

Something managed is never the same as something natural. Go to a natural mudball and compare to a terraformed one and you'll see what I mean.