plasticasshole | Noctium IC Inbox

hey connor idk if you remember me

we talked online not long after everyone arrived and i mentioned feeding birds together

with how wild things have been lately i wanted to unwind and actually just hang out with some birds and thought that maybe you would too

if not that's cool the offer's open though

I remember you. I'd like to do that, sure. Do you want me to meet you in the Emerald district park at the entrance?

[He pauses, realising he doesn't know what Nanba looks like.]

Could you describe yourself? Or send me a photo? Just so I know who I'm looking for.

that sounds great

uh shit that's a good idea hang on i think i have some old pictures my friend took of me from home

[Attached: img_102.png]

i dress a bit nicer now and my hair's brushed but that's me in the front

i'll probably be standing there looking completely lost or spaced out if i get there before you do if that helps
see you soon dude

WAIT make sure you wear something you're fine with getting bird shit on just in case ok

Got it.

[So Connor changes into a dark grey turtleneck and a pair of jeans he'd gotten after ripping his last pair, and strolls into the park looking out for Nanba. Upon spotting him he approaches, smiling.]

Hello Nanba. It's Connor. I hope you weren't waiting too long.

[OH NO HE'S YOUNG AND CONVENTIONALLY ATTRACTIVE THE FUCK IS THIS

aka Nanba did indeed look spaced out before Connor waved him over, complete with scratching his ear and other idle animations, and now he just looks somewhat awestruck. What is with the other Gembonded and being supermodel material he's being so goddamn victimised right now.]

Hi. Uh. [The cogs turning slowly in his brain are almost audible, until he stiffens up and starts rifling through the pockets in his khaki dad slacks. Where is it where is it...Ah, there!] Here. Birdseed. That's-- I only brought the one bag though. You'll have to share with me. Sorry.

I wasn't waiting long either, don't worry. [Belated, almost like it's only just sinking in that Connor said real words other than his name.] There's a really good spot in the park, great for napping. It'd be a good place to start?

[Connor waits patiently for Nanba's brain to start working again, and looks down at the birdseed when he produces it from his pocket.]

I don't mind sharing. Can you lead me to the place you mean?

[The slight smile remains, pleased to be out and about and hopefully making a new friend.]

I assume you do this often. If so, the birds will probably know who you are by now.

Yeah! Yeah, sure. I've napped there a few times and woken up with birds sitting on me, but I think I'm just innately less scary to them and my hair looked like a bird nest before I started washing it properly, so...

[STOP TALKING, NANBA. Okay, he crooks a finger and actually starts walking off into the park. This is clearly a place he's at home in, with how he weaves down paths and doesn't pause to look around even once. It'd be impressive if he didn't look like some sort of grandpa forest goblin with his green argyle vest and his overgrown hair.] I think they kind of know me, though. The birds. If I have rotten fruit or whatever, I'll bring that too for them. And even birds know you can't turn down free stuff.

--There! See that bench? [And there is indeed a bench, right in the middle of a very lovely clearing; sunlight's filtering down through the canopy and almost illuminating just the bench itself. It's clearly destined to be a sacred spot to hobos. ...Doesn't look like any birds are around at the moment, but it's still worth a try, right?] Best spot to nap at in the whole park, because the sun warms you up without burning you alive. I think once we sit there for a while and throw out a little seed, the birds will come flocking in. That's what normally happens, anyway.

[Without thinking (and with how accustomed he is these days to more casual physical touch), he reaches out to grab Connor's wrist and tug him on over to this Altar of Birdfeeding. Come on come on sunlight's wasting time to be Disney princesses bro!!]

[Connor idly notes down "lack of personal hygiene" under the little file he has created for Nanba in his head.]

I see. It's worth a try.

[Connor lets Nanba tug him over to the bench, not bothered by the contact. It's always nice to be touched, in his opinion. Sitting by Nanba, he looks around appreciatively at the scene before giving Nanba an expectant smile.]

I hope the birds take to me as well as they've taken to you. Can you get them to eat out of your hand?

[He wants a bird to eat out of his hand, okay.]

[THE GALL OF YOU, YOUNG MAN. He's brushing his teeth twice daily now! ~~does that mean that he can't cause status debuffs with his bad breath? yes. alas~~

Ah...it's weird, to get looked at like he actually knows what he's doing. That's something Nanba hasn't actually had for a long time, and he dithers a little before remembering the birdseed. RIGHT. PULL IT OUT. Seed time.]

They probably will. You've got a...Hm. You're calming, I think. I haven't seen you make any sudden, sharp movements that would freak prey animals out, and you don't seem like the type to get impatient easy, which is important. So I think they'll like you pretty quickly. Here, open your hand. If they see you spreading the seed too, that might help.

[Time to let go of Connor's wrist in order to delve into the bag of seed and grab a fistful; sure, it'd be more efficient to let Connor grab a handful of seed himself, but no. Apparently Nanba's going to dole it out at first like a mother doling out snacks to her kids.] Food is the start of it all, man. Food is the way to get in good with animals.

[Connor really has no reason to believe that Nanba isn't capable. He seems distracted, perhaps, but it could just be a bad day for him. Or maybe he's always like this? As long as he functions for the most part...

Either way, Connor nods. Nanba makes sense. He waits for the seed to be handed to him, before holding his hand out. And he holds it unnaturally still, with no indication that it could get uncomfortable at any point. With his other hand, he sprinkles a little bit of it around at his feet.]

I see. I'll remember that... animals like food.

[That explains all the bird seed around Rupert's apartment, he guesses. The pigeons were so used to people that you pretty much had to push them out of your space.]

What else do animals like?

[Every day is like this when you're a little goblin man surrounded by very beautiful people who seem like, for the most part, that they have their shit together. At least Nanba seems to be settling in a little more now that he's in his element proper, head bobbing in approval before he turns his gaze up to the trees.

Where are you, bastards.]

Mmhm. But they don't like having it forced on them. You have to give it at their pace, once they know it's there. Pigeons are domesticated, so they're not so hard to lure in if you don't freak them out, but other birds...Not so easy.

[Ah, speak of the devil; one space pigeon, two, three, more and more. Not enough to swarm them, but enough to be worthwhile. One lands in Nanba's hair and starts picking through the fluffy locks, and the others go to town at the seed around Connor's feet. A veritable bird festa, if you will.]

They like feeling safe. They're simpler than people. Birds are at risk of getting eaten by a lot of bigger animals, so if you can show that you're not going to hunt them, they'll trust you a lot faster. ...Actually, I'm pretty sure that people like that too? But yeah; don't move too suddenly, or at least don't do it a lot. Don't grab them or anything weird. Let them set the pace.

I think most things appreciate it when they don't feel threatened, yes.

[His smile is soft despite the casual sass, eyes on the bird in Nanba's hair.]

They like you. You've built up a lot of trust with them, I see.

[As much as he wants to pet the bird, he remains still.]

Perhaps eventually they'll trust me, too.

[He's still waiting for one to hand on his hand... but it's okay if they don't just yet. He'll be disappointed if they ignore his hand the entire time they're here, but he's been here five minutes.]

Smartass. I meant more that you have to be more mindful about how you hold yourself. They're not dogs or cats. They're small and fragile and they know it better than anyone.

[Is he smiling because of the birds, or because of Connor's sass? Both, probably. Why not both. Sass is how his friends communicate with each other. Feels like home.] Guess I feel that way too sometimes, so I know automatically how to not spook them. That's all. Give them another five minutes and they'll start landing in closer, bit by bit, until they see you're not a trap ready to spring.

Or...Hang on. [Moving very, very slowly, he reaches back into the seed bag to grab a fistful, only to gently sprinkle a line of seed on Connor's shoulder.] There. Not too near a limb, far enough from your mouth that they can escape. I give it 60 seconds, and no longer than that.

[Connor waits patiently, and is visibly delighted when a pigeon lands on his arm and starts to peck at the seed. And after that, two more land on his hand to eat the seed there, too. He gives Nanba a bright smile, and wonders if he can talk like this.]

You're good at this.

[He breathes it, trying not to startle the pigeon casually making its way up to his shoulder. He very slowly moves his other hand towards it, and though it flutters a little as he draws it closer... he gives it a gentle stroke on the chest, and it coos and gives him an inquisitive look.]

Hello.

[He seems entirely enamoured with the whole situation.]

Not much else to do with my life but talk to birds, these days. So I know a little of how they work.

And of how much they like food. [In all fairness, he's charmed by the spectacle beside him; it's almost like he's hanging out with a real Disney prince or something, and having someone actually listen to him is a novelty besides. There's no keeping the stupid look from his face, not even as he gently grips the pigeon atop his head like a fucking burger and brings it down to sit in his lap for scratching. Clearly they've both got their own golden child, even if more and more pigeons are starting to gather around them for some sweet free food.]

You're doing really well, man. Just don't pet on the wings or down the back, and you'll be fine. Now folks are going to call you the bird guy, instead of me. There goes my niche appeal.

[Nanba, you can't just pick a pigeon up like- oh. Well. Guess he can, then. Connor decides he's just going to accept it. For now, he's intent on petting his own pigeon.]

I'm sure you have more to like about you than just being the bird guy, Nanba. And if you ever get tired of talking to birds, I'm always around.

[Seriously, he doesn't sleep. Talk to him at any time of the day or night and he'll respond.]

[bird burger bird burger woo wooooo

Thankfully, said birdger seems quite content to be manhandled; it even tries stowing away in Nanba's sleeve, then in one of his pockets, any gap it can find until he lures it back out with neck scratches. The ultimate weakness.]

Eh, a little. But that's all depressing stuff that no one really wants to hear about. Who wants to hear other people's stories when they'd rather tell their own? And you probably have way more interesting stuff to talk about than I do.

...So I guess it's a mutual offer. Though I wouldn't say that I'm always around, since I'm...still trying to remember that I can openly have technology without having to worry about it getting stolen and hawked. But I do my best, man. Not like we have jobs here, right?

I'm a very good listener, you'll find. Besides, we can both talk. It doesn't have to be one-sided.

[The pigeon on his shoulder struts closer to Connor's head, and nestles comfortably by his cheek, cooing softly. He can see why Rupert had so many pigeons in his apartment, now.]

Who knows, maybe talking about your problems will make you feel better.

...Alright, I'm in for that; as long as it's not just me bitching about my problems while you sit there and wish I'd shut the hell up--

[He suddenly snaps his lips closed, eyes widening and something lighting up in his expression at the sight of Connor and his new pigeon pal getting along so swimmingly.

Oh god he's going to say it isn't he. He's going to say it. At least it's not in the sack, but Nanba's going to say it.] --you, uh...Heh. You look like a prince straight out of some Disney movie. You've really taken well to this bird-feeding stuff, man. Not a lot of people are good at calming down, and they don't make hanging out with pigeons look half so cool as you do.

A prince?

[He seems to make a face at that, confused as if he's not sure he likes it.]

I'll take it as a compliment I suppose, but it does feel like an odd comparison.

[He has no clue what a Disney movie is like.]

Still... thank you for bringing me here. I've made two new friends today, it seems.

[Which honestly cheers him up.]

Trust me, it was meant as a compliment. None of the bad stuff about princes, more of the 'great with animals, general serene aura, perfect cheekbones' stuff.

[There's something warm and unguarded in Nanba's expression now, and he just regards Connor for a second or two before turning his attention to the bag of birdseed. One more handful scattered out, before he ties it shut and

promptly places it in Connor's lap.]

Here.

So you can make more friends without having to bring me along for the ride, if you didn't want to. Sometimes it's nice to just be here alone with them.

But it's been pretty nice to have company, too. I wouldn't mind if you wanted to do this again, just saying.

[Connor looks down at the birdseed and toys with the string holding it shut- the pigeon seems content on his shoulder with or without the petting.]

I'd like to do this again, too. I think I'll save these trips for when you're around to come with me.

[It'll be their thing. Hank will hate it, especially if Connor ends up with pigeons following him everywhere, but Connor is content here.]

Being alone with the birds might be pleasant, but I've always been one for human company, too.

[Or android company.]

[OW RIGHT TO THE HEART...Pain...Good pain. The sort of pain that makes him smile a little and sloooowly pat Connor on the arm, so that he doesn't go upsetting that cute pigeon buddy of his.]

If you want, man. I won't turn you down, and if I'm thinking of coming down here, I'll let you know too. Just existing together's pretty great too, sometimes.

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