kismet_loop | [Locked Video to Dirge]

Oh? You want to see me? [That's a bit of a surprise, considering how hostile everyone has been towards him of late.]

Who keeps trees inside?

[He's never been to the arboretum, so it takes him a second to figure out what she means.]

Oh.

[She shrugs]

I dunno. But it's where I can go where there are trees.

Are you going to come see me?

Yes. Give me five minutes.

[And that's about what it takes for him to fly over in jet mode. Once in the arboretum, he stands out like a sore thumb amongst all the organic greenery.]

Where are you, treasure?

Edited 2015-06-19 01:48 (UTC)

[She's sitting on one of the benches made for people her size.]

I'm here.

[She gives him a little wave.]

[The clone glances in the direction of her voice, finally noticing the tiny bench down there by his feet. Dirge kneels, and when that isn't really close enough, he actually gets down on all fours.]

I like this place. It is a good container for trees.

[She gives him a little smile.] I like forests better, but this place is pretty too.

Dirge, I have a question for you.

[She hesitates, seeming like she's searching for the right words.] Has anyone ever given you something? A gift?

Can a forest be stolen?

[Dirge squints at her, optics shifting as he considers the question.]

....No. Most people do not want to part with their things for free.

[She gives him a funny look.] No. Forests belong to everyone.

[And she nods. That's what she thought.]

I have a gift for you. I made it for you, so you'd have something that was yours not because you said it was but because someone gave it to you.

How can something belong to everyone?

[His wings hike straight up, mouth opening just a bit in surprise.]

You do? This isn't a joke, is it?

Because forests can’t be owned, they’re just a place where everyone can go. So they belong to everyone.

[She smiles at his reaction.]

This isn’t a joke. Wait here.

[She gets up and slips into one of the giant planter beds to pull a good sized box (to her) out from behind some bushes. She’ll use a bit of air in a mini whirlwind to lift it up to him a bit.]

Be careful so you don’t break it.

[He's going to have to think about that one for a while. Fortunately, he is distracted by the excitement and anticipation of receiving his first gift. Dirge's claws close around the floating box gently as it bobs up to him.]

How did you do that?

[She rocks on her feet a little.] I can control air.

You can? Wait... are you a witch too?

[He nearly drops the box in terror.]

[headtilt] Noooo...? Papa said I was born with the ability. It's not magic, not really. I don't think.

...are you scared of me, Dirge?

Is it an upgrade then? [He's really confused about all this- humans had been showing some strange abilities here that he had never known them to possess.]

Only if you can control taste too. [The clone says, squinting suspiciously at first her and then the box.]

I guess so. [She's confused too.] Papa says it's normal, just part of me.

[Head tilting the other way now, just like a puppy.] Taste? No, just air. Papa says I'll be able to fly when I'm stronger.

...The present won't hurt you...

Does that mean your wings will grow in? Or thrusters?

Good! [Assured it won't curse him, Dirge rips open the box with gusto.]

[She giggles.] No, I’ll be able to lift myself like I did the box.

[Inside he’ll find...a bracelet! Hand crafted from vines of all things, woven together into a thick band that, even on Dirge’s giant wrist, will be considerably thick and sturdy. She didn’t want to worry about it breaking if he does decide to wear it. The “jewel” on it is a pretty river stone she found, smaller pieces of cables she’d found used to keep it in place. It’...also serves as the latch of the bracelet; tuck it through a loop and it’ll open or close.]

[She hopes you appreciate that, big guy, it took her forever to make it big enough for her to be certain it would fit him and not be too delicate. And then to get it here?! She did that yesterday and was too exhausted by then to call Dirge to come get it.]

...Do you...do you like it?

[Dipping his talons into the gash he tore in the box, Dirge lifts the item inside out carefully. He doesn't recognize its use immediately, but his optics are instantly caught by the shiny stone woven into the cabling.]

I can...have this?

[He's not used to receiving something he wants this easily. It usually involves fighting or stealing or arguing. But here it was, just being handed to him! He clutches it tight, wings vibrating a little in excitement.]

Edited 2015-08-01 16:11 (UTC)

Uh-huh. I made it for you.

You wear it on your wrist. I can help you put it of if you want.

You made this? [He's surprised and maybe a little impressed. Making things was something that completely escaped him, and he found himself envying a talent that could produce things.]

Oh, that is a good idea! Then I can look at it and protect it at the same time.

[He eagerly offers his wrist and the bracelet for her to show him how to clasp.]

[She'll shove the stone through the loop of thick, braided vines.]

Hold it up to your wrist?

[If he'll do so she'll pull herself up onto the back of his hand. He'll need to hold the two ends close so she can shove the stone back through the loop and clasp it around his wrist.]

Oh good! It fits! I was hoping I made it big enough to fit. [She looks very pleased with this.]

[He does as instructed, watching her loop the stone through one end, and holding it up with a grin once it's done.]

It does! This is genius. I love it.... [Dirge never sounds so sincere as when he's admiring one of his possessions. His engine rumbles loudly, sounding like a nasty purr from an enormous cat.]

Can you make more?

[She snickers, sliding easily back off of his hand.]

Yes. I'd have to find more stuff to make them with, though.

[You gonna help her find the materials, Dirge?]

Really? I can help you with that! What kinds do you need?

[He's not the type to say thank you, but hopefully its obvious what this means to him.]

[She grins.] I used vines, some metal vines, and a pretty stone.

That's easy to get. [He keeps admiring the gift, optics glued to the stone on his wrist.]

I can't believe it was so easy to get this... You just...just gave it to me!

Well, that's what a gift is silly; it's something you give to someone to make them happy.

[And clearly her giving him a gift made him happy.]

I would never do that. [The reasoning is just impossible to him. Give something away to someone else?]

....Why did you? [Dirge is fairly sure he won't understand, but he wants to ask anyhow.]

[She gives him a little smile.]

Because I wanted to make you happy. I wanted you to feel special.

[Did it work?]

You did? [He was right, he doesn't understand but... something strange pulls at his shard. Some emotion he is not able to identify. His optics flick to the bracelet again, claws flexing slowly.]

....I feel something. Not just happiness. I don't know.

[She'll pat any part of him she can reach.] That's okay, emotions are complicated. [Said in such a sage manner.]

Do those feelings make you want to smile?

Y......es? [Dirge's smiles are a little terrifying though- they involve a huge mouth full of teeth.]

I also want to put you in a box. That I can open and look at anytime I want.

[He mimes opening a little box with his talons and peering inside.]

I've felt this before. I think.

Edited 2015-08-07 22:11 (UTC)

[That smile makes her heart pound a bit. But she tries to hide her discomfort and waggles a finger at him.] Now Dirge, that's not a nice thing to do to someone who's just given you a gift.

It's not? [He looks visibly frustrated, chewing his lip as he tries to navigate this better.]

I...didn't mean it in a bad way? I feel that way because I'm... The gift, it just made me feel-

[He smacks at his own helm in frustration.]

I want to do that because that's what I do with things I'm fond of! [There- that's about as clear as he can be about it.]

[She relaxes again and actually looks a bit sad for him.]

You really don’t know how to treat people you like, do you?

No, I guess not. I mean.... I know how I want to treat them. But they don't usually want to be treated that way.

[She gives him a little smile, stepping up to pat his leg.]

Don't worry. I'll teach you how people like to be treated.

[Locked Video to Dirge]

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