plasticasshole | Noctium IC Inbox

[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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