January 14, 2004.01.14.04. - dr. doolittle's kodak moment [tristan-kennedy][riverfront]
(kennedy)
A small image swirls in large circles over and over the warehouse district. The looming density of thick clouds sets a hazy blur before the frigid ball of feathers. Flying in snow was not a pleasant thing. No wonder birds flew south for the winter.The gleaming luster of something draws the pied crow's attention. Keen eyes alert for someone or something moving down below, it begins to make tighter, sharper circles, divebombing through the streets.
(tristan)
He’s still chuckling.
He saluted her.
That’s an image he just isn’t going to get out of his head anytime soon. He’s glad he didn’t have Kemp with him – well, only partially glad, as that boys mouth running a mile a minute would have added even more amusement to the scene. However, as hard as they’d end up laughing, while it’d do them all good, it’d most certainly pull apart many wounds and hurt just as badly.He’s shivering now, lacking one layer that he gave to the Soldier to keep warm. Right arm hooked around belly, hand underneath the half open zipper to help keep the shoulder motionless, hair a flyaway disarray in the stylish “longer then regulation sir!” conglomeration of curls, bag o’booze still carried in left hand, a bit lighter now due to early liberation of a long neck while waiting to deliver Roxanne’s package. Headed back toward the warehouse where he’ll get to use his shiny new key!
(james)
the Ahroun had slept - like. the. dead.
the first stretch of waking reminded him that, perhaps, that would be preference
Garou healing abilities aside, that shit still STUNG
but at least it's not bleeding anymore
thanks to his brother's medical assistance
(never going to live that shower down, Jamey-boy)dreads tangled in further disarray of classic "bed head"
the Gnawer finds his way into a pair of nearby (thank Gaia!) sweats
elastic around the cuffs long gone, the waistband probably in need of repair
but they're good enough to stay on his hips
precarious as the situation may be
a collection of steps tangled enough to give his dreads a run for their money leads him towards the big bay doors
half-burnt votive plucked out of the shadowy darkness
the parrafin preserved candle is held in hands cupped classic of a palm-bong
breath exhales in slow concentration to jump-start his Cardboard Palace rite of beautiful warmththat done.... it's a long journey back to the island of domesticity hiding his pack of cigarettes
(kennedy)
Another turn through the streets, beating quickly in time with accelerated heart rate to keep the blood flow pounding through the small, feathered body. Two more circled swoops, this time directly Tristan's head. The bird cawed out, zipping right over that mop of curls. Its head turned back to look at him, not realizing where it was flying towards...There is a resounding wet slap of feather-duster as the pied crow collides right into a thick wall of snow and into the bay doors of the warehouse.
(tristan)
Steps are faster. It’s bloody well COLD out here – and all he can do is hope the next move, whenever that should be, is someplace warmer. He said he’d follow James anywhere, but man, he’d love some heat. Even 50 degrees. That’d be nice. Bag is hefted once, and he continues toward the warehouse, his thoughts calming from his mirth, sliding ruthlessly back again to paths tonight’s meeting had given him some respite from.James will find his bloodied (and...other stuff) pack has disappeared (who’d want to smoke that anymore anyway?) and a fresh unopened pack is in it’s place. He didn’t quite make it back to have a meal ready in time when he woke, but he’ll make up for it when he gets there. After all – he has beer!
About this time, he’s all but divebombed by a flying circling thing that turns around to look at him and SMACKS into the bare doors. “FUCK!” oh. that was eloquent, wasn’t it. A blink, and he’s headed toward the poor bird that’s run into the doors... cautiously, one never knows with birds, but if it’s knocked itself silly, he’ll at least bring it inside to warm and wake up...
(james)
he's steeled himself for the first three steps
by now, the wounds must be nothing more than thick scabs over tender muscle
save the deepest of each pretty picture which is still nicely and actively nerved
(...ow)
but the freakin' bandages that stuck are pulling loose with each movement
it's enough to put a look of distaste on even the most strong stomached of Gnawers
no matter how valiant the effort an arm makes to support the belly wraphead snaps around as the feathery WHACK! slaps into the snow outside
a moment (or seven) taken to allow the sound ("FUCK!") to filter in and translate.... the hell?
a few skiply steps towards the more manageable door on grinding hinges
groggily peeking outside into the rather unforgiving cold
and witnessing his kinsman's wary creep"Tris...?"
deep umber eyes swinging (slowly) to pinpoint the source of his quest
(.... stupid bird)(kennedy)
A garbled caw erupts from the bird's open beak. Wet and frazzled, it looked rather on the lean side. Wings furl and unfurl along its small body, head shaking vigorously as it tries to gain some balance to stand up, wobbling and shivering.(tristan)
He’s watching the bird, though head turns as the door opens and he gives a patented. “you should be resting..” (yes mom!) before chuckling and tosses a wink that way. Head turns and he nods toward the poor bird trying to stand. “Damn thing dive bombed me – could swear it turned it’s head to do a double take before it crashed. Gonna bring it inside if it’ll let me... looks nigh frozen...”His voice is soft, as he gets close to the bird. “Hey now, not gonna hurt you... just bring you inside so that you can warm up, allright?” Course, the bird can’t understand him (....right?) but maybe the tone is enough as he carefully sets aside the bag o booze, unbuttons his coat and shakes it off, before reaching toward the bird, hands protected inside the folds of the coat (he hopes)
Yes, apparently, he moms birds now too.
(james)
a brow..... lifts
perhaps in retort to the lecturing look
perhaps in acknowledgement of what the bird seemed to do
perhaps in.... some reaction.... to Tristan's newest job at mothering"Woul'n be th' firs' time." muscular shoulder leaning against the door frame, quite cold against bare skin "Jus' toss y'r coat ov'r it. Th'n yeh c'n pikkit up."
(kennedy)
The crow emits a soft hiss from its beak, a white patch at the base of its neck, signifies the species easily for those in the knowledge of avian subspecies of corvids. Its body does nothing more than fluff up to look threatening. The head bobs back and forth, still dazed by the slap into the wall. Tristan gets the coat tossed over it, protected by sharp claws and a pecking beak to pick it up.(tristan)
Just in a tattered (stained) thermal now, he’s shivering again, but he’s determined in it’s quest. That had to have hurt like hell, even for a bird. Of course, Decker will give him hell about it later, but he’ll move the little thing to the Garage before then.... of hopefully it’ll shake it off once warmed... “Yeah, s’what I hope....” and he tosses the coat (ow) and captures the bird.There’s a smirk of triumph as he wraps up the crow (not that he’d know anything about avian subspecies of anything, let alone corvids) and picks it up cradling it in his left arm against his chest as he stands and grabs his bag with the right. Turning, he makes his way toward the door held open by his brother, blowing a playful kiss his way as he scoots by with his burdens into the blessed warmth of the warehouse... “I know, I know, I’m a hopeless sap...” in regards to this new wriggling burden...
(james)
breath huffs out in a mocking - but amused - snort
locking the screeching door behind his brother
making a slow shadow of himself back to the island of domesticity"G'nna star' callin' yeh Dr. Dooli'le."
Tristan's pack found (huzzah!) and a camel lit up
James makes himself useful by searching out a small box for the bird(kennedy)
The new wiggling burden freaked out for the first few minutes while entrapped inside the coat. The sound of voices seem to quiet the crow down, listening to familiar tones. The crow settles down, fluffed out, yet calm.(tristan)
He chuckles as he sets the bag down on the table. “I’ve been called worse, and I at least bring home beer too with my latest wayward ‘kid’....” Pause, and then his grin grows as he sinks to sit on the couch. “Least I didn’t bring home the delivery I was left watching until Roxanne could get someone to pick him up and bring him to her place earlier... think Decker would have shit sideways....” mused lightly as he continues to cradle the bird.“That’a girl... ain’t gonna hurt you...” And after she calms, he carefully makes sure wings are kept in the coat, under his hands, as he unwraps his bundle enough to see if the crow is truly hurt or just dazed... “Some garou dropped off another guy – said he was a delivery for Roxanne. This dude was like – Full Metal Jacket all the way, though with the innocence of a child. Total Soldier – in fact, that’s what he said to call him.” While he talks, fingers are stroking light over feathers, checking for injuries as bet he can without getting pecked and without letting the bird get a chance to fly away from his hold. “Chloe shows up to take him home, and you’da though he never seen a woman before – she told him to take a picture and he saluted her and said ‘Reporting for duty Sir! but I have no photography equipment sir!’ and I near pissed myself laughing....”
A laugh that was definitely needed at the time. In fact, the pretty boy seems a bit better then before, for having laughed, and having another charge to take care of...
(kennedy)
The crow looks more dazed than actually hurt. Once the coat was pulled aside, it wings stretched out, under the scrutinizing eyes of Tristan. For sucha wild creatures the bird appears a little docile. Its head tilts up, twin pools of fathomless black depths.(james)
yet again, that brow makes a trip towards the frame of excessively tangled dreads
pausing mid-clean of a shoe(boot?)box for a make-shift bed
the Ahroun is donning one of those..... "mmmkay" looks
though not a sound escapes around the Camel clenched between his teetha few measured steps later
the shoe/boot box slides onto the couch
nest made out of a mooostly clean shirt
(doubt the bird comes pottytrained)
and he extracts the cig to flick it into a nearby ashtray
brows pointedly furrowing"Y'mean s'me Univ'rs'l Sold'r turn up 'n star'd snappin' off s'lutes?" his head shakes with a low chuckle (no guffaws for you, Jamey-boy) glancing at the cradled bird "Star'n a noh get surprise by th's city..." and his head tips, in thought "Remin' me a Kenn'dy."
(tristan)
He nods, chuckling. “S’what I mean alright... was hysterical. Had I brought him home and he started saluting Decker, I think you me n kemp woulda busted something wide open again laughing – cuz I can just see Decker’s face... – and I agree. Very little would surprise me here anymore... and we thought there was plenty of trouble to get into in Jersey...”“Thanks...” He grins up at him and takes the box, setting it on the coffee table as he continues to stroke her feathers, soft and gleaming. “Don’t think she’s hurt, just dazed...” He slides his hands under the crow, tenderly, and transfers her to the box with the mostly clean shirt to soften the blow.. “there y’go, girl..” pause, brow arches... “Kennedy?” He’s gotten pretty good at filling in the missing vowels, but he doesn’t remember a Kennedy...
(kennedy)
Beady black eyes became narrow slits, its head tilting down to enjoy more of the petting. The name 'kennedy' seems to perk the crow's interest. Its head lifts up to stare at James, soft cawing noise rumbled from its throat.(james)
weight sinks a slow and easy path down onto the couch
gesturing absently with his right hand
smoke scissored between inded and middle finger
though he makes sure it blows away from the recovering crow"Yeh.... Corax. 'n Get kin to boot." the closer left hand reaches over and runs a finger gently over the top of the bird's head, absently scritching, in response to it's sudden attention on him "She sor'a drop in durin' a ware'ouse raid back'n Jersey. Help 's out quite a bi'."
(kennedy)
The crow's head dips down, pressing into its chest, its eyes roll close in pure pleasure. The wings spread out to stretch and resettle along its back. A soft crooning chirps in its beak. Slowly, the crow begins to bob back and forth from one clawed foot to the other.(tristan)
he watches the way James lowers himself to the couch, a quick drag of his gaze over his brother checking the bandages, and any seepage that may need taken care of before he lets him sleep again, before flashing a bit of a grin at him, and turns attention to the crow once more. “Corax... heard stories about them, never seen one live. Course, if this lil gal suddenly shifts up on me I think I’m diving over the back of the couch. Petting one girl once or twice is one thing – but another that might peck out my eyes, even though it was innocent is an entire ‘nother thing...”A warehouse raid. Flicker of something, but it’s resolutely pushed away again. He’ll think of all that again later when he can cry on Dustin without shame. Right now, his fingers just smooth over wings now laid calmly against her back, chuckling at her antics. “Think she likes you..”
(james)
there's a low chuckle out of the Ahroun
more of a gently crooning growl, really
his attention is on the bird - so he doesn't catch Tristan's inner wince
the last of the smoke finished
and his finger leaves feathers in a sloooooow stretch to stub the camel out in the nearby tray
he's not seeping anymore - but things are still tender while bandages stick
a long, hot shower should clear that up nicelybut not yet
right now he's gingerly settling back against the comfort of the couch"Think we all 'mos' shit oursel's wh'n she in'erduce herself. I dun' see'r shif'." no.... James was cut down by automatic fire at the time "But hear' it w's s'meth'n' else." fond tones at the memory, and the bird's cooing reaction to his touch "Good kid."
(tristan)
“I’ll bet it was... Hell, just watching you guys shift still gets me.” Grinned, well aware it was just yesterday his jaw dropped to see Decker snap to crinos. No matter the reason, he’d never see the get that way – it was certainly something, alright. Pause.. “Like Isa – says he’s bastet... ever hearda them too? Hell.. the stories I heard always made them seem like fairy tales. You all were the reality, everything else just a story. Course, if one can do it, who’s to say another can’t, right?”Still mostly idle musing as he reaches into the bag, grabbing a beer for them each, and handing one to his brother.
(kennedy)
The beak clicks, as the crow chirps happily. Shaking itself free of the daze, it bobs its body up and down a few times. One claw set in front of the other as it starts to hop out of the box and towards James.The crow becomes more active, spreading its wings out to beat them in the air. It gains some air, fluttering up to land on James' head.
(james)
bed head tangled dreads had pillowed beneath his head
it allows for a curious brow to lift (again) when the bird hops towards him
fingers moving to form a perch.... though it bypasses and goes for his skullat least he planned to take a shower soon
"Shit on m' head 'n we're havin' corn'sh hen f'r breakf's'." casually cautioning the corax, though he doesn't move otherwise save a miniscule nod "Yeh, knew one'n Newar'. Bag'eera, s'pose'ly."
(tristan)
He can’t help but laugh as the crow perches on James’ head. “oh she definitely likes you...” and he leans forward to grab pack and lighter, lighting a cigarette before he’s leaning back to sit comfortably (mostly – shift position, ease shoulder, wrap arm around waist.... better.)“best behave” cautioned the crow “as I’d planned on bacon and eggs, but I change that menu...” even as he chuckles and shakes his head looking at James... “Now that, brother mine, is a kodak moment..”
(kennedy)
Wings fluff out to flap a few times, before smoothing out along its back. The crow steps from side to side on James' head, bobbing up and down. Its beak starts to pluck at the unruly dreads to rearrange them.(james)
an indescribable look slants towards his brother"Thank Gaia we dun' have a cam'ra...."
rather.... dryly
though admittedly the Ahroun is rather amused at the situation himself(tristan)
He chuckles and shakes his head, that boyish grin in full force there... “Gonna have to remedy that if the recipient of my random acts of kindness is going to continue to make a nest out of your dreads...”He promised not to tease him about the shower until he was healed enough to smack him for it – but he said nothing about... this...
(kennedy)
The crow continues to play hair dresser with James' head, meticulously rearranging the dreads in a nest-like fashion.(james)
there's a partial scowl
though it tends to lean towards the (forever) lopsided beginnings of a grin"Laugh ih up, boy" snarled in mock ferocity "Wai'll she fig'rs y'r curls 'r sof'er...."
arms lift in a slow stretch, careful of that healing flank wound, to gently cup and lift the bird off his head
enough is enough, really
strong perch for little feet made out of calloused fingers"Think she' feelin' bett'r nah."
(tristan)
He laughs though he tries to look afraid at that growl (when we all know what reaction it really gets..) and he wrinkles his nose, chuckling. “I’ll have t’put my hat on, I think...” He smiles at the bird, and nods. “Yeah, think so too. Musta just knocked herself silly a bit when hitting that door.” He knows he’ll have to put her out before Decker finds the bird here. The Modi has limits to his tolerance, after all.(kennedy)
The crow squawks loudly in protest, beating its wings wildly. It hisses at James, tiny claws cut into the ahroun's strong hands to balance itself. The wings continue to beat harder, lowerings its body, it suddenly pushes off his fingers to fly away from.(james)
brows furrow as tiny claws dig into his fingers
he does his best to not simply crush the bird in reflex
hands moving to salvage the stylish tangle of dreads post-bird
definitely un-nesting their arrangement"Yeh.... def'ni'ly bett'r."
(tristan)
He can’t help the laughter, almost forgotten smoke suffering last drag before he stamps it out in the tray, left hand reaching over to pluck a dread from the nest and let it fall back into place. “I am so gonna get me a camera...” teased... pause.. “right after I get a damn phone. I swear, I’m a regular message boy in this here town.” Head shakes, amused, though they both know he loves most every moment of it.Dark gaze slides up to follow the birds path, idly wondering just how he’s gonna get her out of here now that she’s taken flight. The rest figuring that the answer will come to him eventually, one way or the other...
(kennedy)
Posted by james at January 14, 2004 12:00 AM
The crow flies two rounds across the length of the warehouse, seeking out a place to land. It finds a high perch to settle on out of reach of being grabbed.
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